Strength Training Newbie needs help

ohmyword9 · January 2014

Dear MFP friends,

I need to start a strength training/lifting program but don't know where to start. I am scared of the free weights section at the gym, but know I need to conquer my fears to achieve the goals I have set. I am a cardio person at heart but attend a weekly tabata session (which I love) that has me aching for days, so am no scared of hard work. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance.

daniellabella986 · January 2014

Might sound silly, but try some of Jillian Michaels' DVDs like 30 Day Shred or Banish Fat Boost Metabolism. It helps give you a lot of ideas on strength training, especially the Banish Fat one. Even if you don't use the DVD, it's a guide to get started. Just make sure your weights are heavy enough so that it is difficult to finish and you really feel the burn out. If you can get your trainer to show you some TRX moves, that's a great strength training tool too and you can do it at home if you buy one, no weights required.

rahlpn · January 2014

Check out Jamie Eason LiveFit. It's a strength training and diet program and it's completely free. It helped me out sooo much when I joined the gym. It lays out a schedule for you, food suggestions and each exercise has a video you can look at if you're not sure how to perform it.

ohmyword9 · January 2014

Thanks for the help.

meshashesha2012 · January 2014

no need to be afraid.

perhaps you can set up a session with a trainer to show you how to use free weights. they should start off with the basics like squat, bench press, overhead press, bent row and the deadlift if your gym has olympic bars.

on your own, some good books to read are starting strength and new rules of lifting for women

pastryari · January 2014

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/850719-strength-training-the-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/788-women-strength-training

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/824-strength-training

Some good beginner programs that are popular around here include Stronglifts 5x5, Starting Strength, and New Rules of Lifting for Women.

Huffdogg · January 2014

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/850719-strength-training-the-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/788-women-strength-training

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/824-strength-training

Some good beginner programs that are popular around here include Stronglifts 5x5, Starting Strength, and New Rules of Lifting for Women.

/thread

FrnkLft · January 2014

I reviewed one of Jamie Eason's strength training programs once and it was alright, but it's more complicated than I think it needs to be... as is usual with celebrity trainers.

I hope I don't sound like a broken record, but I suggest you pick up a copy of New Rules of Lifting for Women. Easy to read book on the fundamentals. You don't even need to do the program at the end (which I think is a little fluffy and complicated). The info in the first 3/4ths of the book is plenty and totally worth it.

Instead of the NRoLFW program, I would suggest Stronglifts 5x5, or even ICF 5x5 which has some assistance work included in it.

Chrissybebo · January 2014

I love the body pump class. It can be hard but a great workout.

StusPrincess08 · January 2014

My husband and I do all out work outs at home.

we have done: P90x, P90x2, Body Beast and now going to start P90x3 -

no need to be afraid of free weights - they are the best thing thats happened to me

FrnkLft · January 2014

Also, this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1169757-i-am-the-woman-in-the-freeweights-section-of-the-gym

Strength Training Newbie needs help

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