Weightlifting
IndianMuslim
Posts: 154
So I've seen a lot of people talking about weightlifting, and this is probably a silly question, but what exactly does lifting consist of and how do you get started? My knowledge of weights is limited to the 8 lb dumbbells in the gym I will occasionally do arm lifts with after my cardio workout :P
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look up starting strength0
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Starting Strength and The New Rules of Lifting for Women.0
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hmmm...i was looking moreso for actual advice rather than looking through hundreds of other posts. guess it's too much to ask...0
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I got started by following a DVD program called Chalean Extreme. Basically, one day you do a workout targeting your upper body (like bicep curls), the next day you rest or do cardio; and the following day you do exercises targeting your lower body (for example: squats). Then repeat. I started Chalean Ex. using resistance bands rather than dumbells, and I lost a lot of inches with that. This second time around, the resistance bands don't make me work as hard, so I'm considering buying actual weights.
I hope this helps a little!0 -
^ this is a great summary
Starting Strength and New Rules of Lifting are both available as books, available on Amazon or your local library. New Rules of Lifting is the one I read. Great stuff! Also, the Strong Lifts website has some great videos regarding form.0 -
To be honest, I find that 8# dumbbells aren't really enough. I need to do dozens of reps before I feel tired, unless I extend every move to 20 seconds.
You want to find a weight that is challenging. That differs for everyone.
Weight machines are good to get started since "form" is easy to get right on a machine. Free weights are great because they are more functional, and work the supporting muscles.
Right now I am using free weights more since it is more challenging, and I have a few strength training goals on my list.0 -
hmmm...i was looking moreso for actual advice rather than looking through hundreds of other posts. guess it's too much to ask...
You were given advice - good advice. It's nobody else's fault that you don't apparently want to put any effort into the endeavor.0 -
Strong lifts is good too, it focuses on the compound lifts. Lift what is heavy for you, something you can't lift more than 6-8 times (I personally like 5)
ETA: Asking for advice then critiquing said advice is quite rude, people are trying to be helpful. Also google is your friend.0 -
hmmm...i was looking moreso for actual advice rather than looking through hundreds of other posts. guess it's too much to ask...
I recently got started weightlifting myself. I have read REAMS of information to feel good enough to even start. There's no way any of us could type it all out here. I joined a couple groups here (EM2WL and New Rules of Lifting For Women) and have been reading everything I can get my hands onto. I also got the book mentioned (New Rules of Lifting for Women) and started reading it today.
Weightlifting involves hard work and dedication. And a lot of that work up front is going to be researching and reading to educate yourself so you know what your doing and don't injure or underfeed your body.
If you're not willing to put in some work. maybe weightlifting is not for you. Because that's exactly what it takes. But let me tell you, it's the single most rewarding thing I've ever done for myself. I am completely addicted and I look forward to my lift days with great anticipation! It's WORTH the reading and research. And so are you. :flowerforyou:
Good luck!0 -
Thank you papillon...this is exactly what I was looking for. Some basic tips on how to get started. I'm sorry I offended some people on here but I wasn't looking for names of books. I was hoping to get some personal perspective on the subject. How / why people started, what worked for them, their techniques, etc.
On a sidenote, I have noticed while reading some posts here in the forums, many people on MFP are just downright rude. Someone will ask a simple question and people just flock to berate the poster for reasons beyond my comprehension. It's discouraging to say the least. If you don't have anything nice to say or offer, then why post anything at all? Just my two cents. I think I'll have to go back to just posting in my group of friends.0 -
Strong lifts is good too, it focuses on the compound lifts. Lift what is heavy for you, something you can't lift more than 6-8 times (I personally like 5)
ETA: Asking for advice then critiquing said advice is quite rude, people are trying to be helpful. Also google is your friend.
QFT0 -
one short tip : focus on the stance and technique first before putting too much weight once you get the movement right ( it takes bout 7000 reps for you r body to remember the movement automatically according to studies) then you can add weights without getting hurt . and at that point girl don't be scared to put on a lot just do it gradually0
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Thank you papillon...this is exactly what I was looking for. Some basic tips on how to get started. I'm sorry I offended some people on here but I wasn't looking for names of books. I was hoping to get some personal perspective on the subject. How / why people started, what worked for them, their techniques, etc.
On a sidenote, I have noticed while reading some posts here in the forums, many people on MFP are just downright rude. Someone will ask a simple question and people just flock to berate the poster for reasons beyond my comprehension. It's discouraging to say the least. If you don't have anything nice to say or offer, then why post anything at all? Just my two cents. I think I'll have to go back to just posting in my group of friends.
Please don't give up. You can get a lot of good advice here. Fight rudeness with politeness. Everyone (or almost everyone) means to be helpful. Thank people for their advice- and just take the part you want and ignore the rest.
The New Rules book is great- I bought it, read it, and am almost through the 7 stages and planning to start over. But there are other things out there. WHenever you post on the forum you will get a variety of responses- just like you did. Best wishes for great lifting!0 -
hmmm...i was looking moreso for actual advice rather than looking through hundreds of other posts. guess it's too much to ask...
You want to learn something new and better yourself? You're going to have to study. That's how it goes.
First reply to your post concisely answered your question. Starting Strength. Read it.0 -
Thanks Kathleen!
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Thank you papillon...this is exactly what I was looking for. Some basic tips on how to get started. I'm sorry I offended some people on here but I wasn't looking for names of books. I was hoping to get some personal perspective on the subject. How / why people started, what worked for them, their techniques, etc.
On a sidenote, I have noticed while reading some posts here in the forums, many people on MFP are just downright rude. Someone will ask a simple question and people just flock to berate the poster for reasons beyond my comprehension. It's discouraging to say the least. If you don't have anything nice to say or offer, then why post anything at all? Just my two cents. I think I'll have to go back to just posting in my group of friends.
WTF?
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FWIW: chalean extreme is a Beach Body program. :ohwell:0
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Thank you papillon...this is exactly what I was looking for. Some basic tips on how to get started. I'm sorry I offended some people on here but I wasn't looking for names of books. I was hoping to get some personal perspective on the subject. How / why people started, what worked for them, their techniques, etc.
On a sidenote, I have noticed while reading some posts here in the forums, many people on MFP are just downright rude. Someone will ask a simple question and people just flock to berate the poster for reasons beyond my comprehension. It's discouraging to say the least. If you don't have anything nice to say or offer, then why post anything at all? Just my two cents. I think I'll have to go back to just posting in my group of friends.
No one berated you. They gave you the same information they'd give anyone asking these questions (I know, because I got the same information back in April.) and then you got upset that you weren't hand held through things. No one was even mean or sarcastic (Well, I'm about to be, so I guess there's that.)
If you aren't willing to do your own research and invest in your own personal knowledge then don't expect other people to do it for you. You want a personal story of how someone else started? I bought new rules of lifting for women, new rules supercharged, downloaded Strong Lifts, and bought starting strength. And then I found a bunch of threads (via the search function) about other people who lift. I made lifting friends, I stalked the fitness forum, and I read. I read *Alot*. And then I decided I'd finally read and learned enough and I got started. Others will tell you the same. Someone probably said "New Rules" or "Starting Strength" and then instead of being whiny and butt hurt they went and read those books.
PS: See how this is different than what other people said to you? I hope now you have some perspective on what is 'mean'.0 -
Thank you papillon...this is exactly what I was looking for. Some basic tips on how to get started. I'm sorry I offended some people on here but I wasn't looking for names of books. I was hoping to get some personal perspective on the subject. How / why people started, what worked for them, their techniques, etc.
On a sidenote, I have noticed while reading some posts here in the forums, many people on MFP are just downright rude. Someone will ask a simple question and people just flock to berate the poster for reasons beyond my comprehension. It's discouraging to say the least. If you don't have anything nice to say or offer, then why post anything at all? Just my two cents. I think I'll have to go back to just posting in my group of friends.
Want us to lift the weights FOR you too? :laugh:0 -
hmmm...i was looking moreso for actual advice rather than looking through hundreds of other posts. guess it's too much to ask...
There are literally thousands of different strength programs out there. There is no one right, cookie cutter answer for you here.
Kudos for looking into lifting, it will be wonderful for your mind and body. But it will take effort......that effort starts now with either taking the time to research different programs or paying a trainer to create one and train you.
The best simple advice: lift. heavy. repeat. 3x per week.
Want more specifics? Read the summary threads linked above. Or buy the eBook Beautiful Badass by Nia Shanks and start there. She has 19 different programs in the book, explains it all and has private form/tutorial videos linked in the book as well.
Final thing, Chalean Extreme or Pump programs, etc are not heavy lifting. They are great cardio and conditioning, but don't confuse high reps with "heavy" weights.0 -
The simple answer is to find heavy stuff, lift it up in a variety of ways several times, and then put it down.
The intelligent answer is to buy or download one of the following programs: New Rules of Lifting for Women, Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5.
These programs provide or help you design routines for specific goals. They illustrate and discuss proper form. They give you the background information you need for nutrition, equipment and programming. They tell you when and how to progress and explain the changes you can expect in your body. They discuss the exercises you can do to complement your lifting, as well as those that would be detrimental. They explain bulking, cutting, resting and other things that are important to think about when lifting weights.
Please don't discount the great advice you received right out of the gate for some general advice that is not going to help you succeed with lifting.0 -
Thank you papillon...this is exactly what I was looking for. Some basic tips on how to get started. I'm sorry I offended some people on here but I wasn't looking for names of books. I was hoping to get some personal perspective on the subject. How / why people started, what worked for them, their techniques, etc.
On a sidenote, I have noticed while reading some posts here in the forums, many people on MFP are just downright rude. Someone will ask a simple question and people just flock to berate the poster for reasons beyond my comprehension. It's discouraging to say the least. If you don't have anything nice to say or offer, then why post anything at all? Just my two cents. I think I'll have to go back to just posting in my group of friends.
Want us to lift the weights FOR you too? :laugh:
^ million $$$ idea. franchise it. you're gonna be rich.0 -
Thank you papillon...this is exactly what I was looking for. Some basic tips on how to get started. I'm sorry I offended some people on here but I wasn't looking for names of books. I was hoping to get some personal perspective on the subject. How / why people started, what worked for them, their techniques, etc.
On a sidenote, I have noticed while reading some posts here in the forums, many people on MFP are just downright rude. Someone will ask a simple question and people just flock to berate the poster for reasons beyond my comprehension. It's discouraging to say the least. If you don't have anything nice to say or offer, then why post anything at all? Just my two cents. I think I'll have to go back to just posting in my group of friends.
General rule of thumb...if you're looking for something specific in a forum, ask a specific question. Please don't assume that your original post even comes close to asking for the information I bolded above. If you wanted personal perspective, how/why people started, what worked for them, then post the question: Hey everyone, I've heard a lot about weight lifting, can anyone tell me their personal perspective, how/why they got started, what worked for them?
Also, when people link to a book...well, that's how they got started. That was your original question, how to get started and how to move away from 8lb dumbbells...and for a lot of women, New Rules or Stronglifts or Starting Strength is how they got started.
What you consider rude, which I'm sure will be my post, isn't always rude...it's just pointing out facts, probably rather bluntly, but facts nonetheless. If you can't handle people given different opinions who will most likely not agree with you or each other, then yeah, your group of friends is probably the best place for you...but thanks for the question though, I'm sure others will read this, follow the links to the programs listed and hopefully start lifting and improving themselves.0 -
Just note - not everyone likes the same thing. Before I started weight lifting, I read A LOT (using the search function on here) and chose what I thought to be best for me The New Rules of Lifting for Women.
No one berated, insulted and or was sarcastic to you. You just did not like what people were telling you because it wasn't spoon fed to you what you wanted. Instead of immediately jumping on the everyone is rude because they didnt tell me what I wanted to hear relax and take it for what it is.... life is not all rainbows, unicorns.
So, in conclusion, DO YOUR RESEARCH and YOU decide what is BEST FOR YOU!0 -
get thick skin. Hate to tell you the world even the internet is not all rainbows and unicorns and we all do not fart glitter.
You better watch out I got a strike for this ^0 -
Thank-you very much :happy:0
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