Best plan to start lifting?

Look at the New Rules of Lifting books (they have for men and women)
I Love how detailed the instructions are, and that the workout plan is planned for you. I was able to go in and know how to load the machines/rack and just start working out after reading the book. Its awesome!

Starting Strength, Strong Lifts 5x5, and New Rules are all geared towards beginners. SS and SL are geared towards making big strength gains, where New Rules is geared more towards aesthetics. You're obviously going to get some of each with any program, but you do sacrifice some strength gains going with a program that is geared towards hypertrophy and aesthetics.

Personally, I believe in starting out with a program that is designed to get you as strong as possible first...then, no matter the direction you take in the future, you have an awesome foundation of strength and power behind you. But honestly, for many, being strong is less important than looking the part and aesthetics often win out here (guilty as charged myself)

What is really important is that whatever program you do, it needs to be progressive in nature. If you're just pushing and pulling the same weight day in and day out, you're not really going to get any kind of training response from your body and you're pretty much wasting your time.

I'm also a firm believer in the big compound lifts and I believe they should be the foundation of any lifting program, whether for strength or hypertrophy. I do use some machines for assistance type work, but I'm a big believer in doing those compound lifts with free weight.

Look at the New Rules of Lifting books (they have for men and women)
I Love how detailed the instructions are, and that the workout plan is planned for you. I was able to go in and know how to load the machines/rack and just start working out after reading the book. Its awesome!

I loved NROLFW - but got bored after Stage 4. Currently switching to Stronglifts 5x5 because I miss my squats!

Hi, I'm looking to start a lifting program but am woefully unsure of where to start. I see lots of options floating around - can anyone recommend a good starting point for someone who is really out of shape? I am f/26 and am recovering from a herniated disk in my spine and scar tissue from whiplash from a neck/back injury about a year ago. The injury is healing nicely but has left me with a lot of scar tissue in the area around my right shoulder/shoulder blade and the back of my neck. I've been lifting very light (2lb) as I have been scared to do anymore, but I think a lifting program would help heal the scar tissue I have building up. Any help on getting oriented to a program for beginners/injured is very appreciated!

Thank you!!

First step is to get cleared by your doctor to start a strength training program.

Step 1: Clear it with your doctor.

Step 2: Obtain weights, or access to them.

Step 3. Pick things up and put them down.

Step 4. Pick up different things the next day (and the next day) and put them down. Lots of bodybuilding forums have "design-a-programs" on their sites.

Step 5. Rest.

Step 6. ???

Step 7. PROFIT!