New to Lifting

lmsky12
lmsky12 Posts: 32
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to lifting weights. I've been doing great this week visiting the gym to get in my cardio each day. I don't lift there though, mostly because I'm embarrassed that I don't really know what I'm doing and I'm very weak (lifting 5-lb weights right now...). Plus, I do have lots of free weights at home. I've been just doing a lot of random exercises that I believe target my whole body every other day. I've been logging them if you can see my fitness tracker. Is it better to work your whole body every other day, or alternate upper body, lower body everyday? I'm sure it would save me a lot of time to break it up... I'm just a little confused about which exercises are considered upper body and which are lower body. Obviously arms are upper, legs and butt are lower, but what about abs? If anyone can recommend a good program (or just a website or specific exercises!) for a beginner that are broken up by upper/lower, please let me know.

Replies

  • lmsky12
    lmsky12 Posts: 32
    Okay, so I read some posts saying that you shouldn't do cardio and lifting on the same days. If I alternate and give myself one rest day each week, I could lift 3 days and do cardio 3 days each week. Is that enough cardio for weight loss?

    This is my proposed plan:
    Monday - Cardio (45 min)
    Tuesday - Lift
    Wednesday - Cardio (45 min)
    Thurdsay - REST
    Friday - Lift
    Saturday - Cardio (45 min)
    Sunday - Lift
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Is that enough cardio for weight loss?

    Weight loss is about an overall calorie deficit, so it's hard to say. But yes, that schedule can work. Or do lifting & cardio on the same day separated by a few hours & a meal.

    It's best to follow an established lifting program, because self-created programs are often unbalanced. Good programs include NROL and Stronglifts. There may be some good apps too. Either full-body or an upper/lower split can work, and neither needs to be longer than 30 minutes.
  • beaches222
    beaches222 Posts: 437 Member
    Hey I am in the exact same place. I got to the gym but I feel like I am all over the place. I don't know much but Your schedule looks great though. Bumping for ideas.
  • lmsky12
    lmsky12 Posts: 32
    Weight loss is about an overall calorie deficit, so it's hard to say. But yes, that schedule can work. Or do lifting & cardio on the same day separated by a few hours & a meal.

    It's best to follow an established lifting program, because self-created programs are often unbalanced. Good programs include NROL and Stronglifts. There may be some good apps too. Either full-body or an upper/lower split can work, and neither needs to be longer than 30 minutes.

    Thanks for the program suggestions! I've been doing cardio in the mornings and then lifting at night after my daughter goes to sleep. Is it okay to lift at night so close to bedtime?
  • joshbond85
    joshbond85 Posts: 28
    NEVER be ashamed about how much you're lifting. Most people at the gym do not care about how much others are lifting. In my experience, we are more impressed by the fact that you are showing up and trying.

    The increase in weight will come quicker than you think.

    I recommend bodybuilding.com (don't freak out, just go to the workout plans and explore). Yes, it's a bit "BROish", but there's some good information on how to combine chest with triceps and things like that.
  • lmsky12
    lmsky12 Posts: 32
    NEVER be ashamed about how much you're lifting. Most people at the gym do not care about how much others are lifting. In my experience, we are more impressed by the fact that you are showing up and trying.

    I guess I also just don't want to feel like I'm in the way. I prefer using free weights because the machines are just confusing to me, and I feel like I don't waste so much time switching from machine to machine. The free weight section at my gym is in this enclosed room, and I only ever see guys in there. I know my need for 5-lb weighs would probably not inconvenience them, but taking up a bench might. I guess that's why I like lifting at home. I have my own weights and don't ever have to feel like I need to hurry up because someone's waiting for me to finish.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    I guess I also just don't want to feel like I'm in the way. I know my need for 5-lb weighs would probably not inconvenience them, but taking up a bench might.

    I don't understand - do they pay a higher gym membership than you? Are their fitness goals more important than yours? I suggest reading the 2nd post in this forum, "I am the woman in the freeweights section of the gym" (part 1)

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