Lifting weights

emilybeaver
emilybeaver Posts: 365 Member
edited November 18 in Fitness and Exercise
I've looked around a lot on this site and seeing pictures I've noticed most of you lift weights. How does one start or what machines repetitions, etc should I start on?
I have scoliosis as well so anything to help build my core and back muscles would be great.

Replies

  • JenniferIsLosingIt
    JenniferIsLosingIt Posts: 595 Member
    Bodyspace.com is a great resource for routines and they have videos that are attached to the routines that will show you exactly what to do. Take it slow in the beginning until you get comfortable with everything then you can start pushing a little harder. Just like anything else, educate yourself with research and go into it slowly. :) Hope this helps!
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    this group is a good resource
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary
    is the program I started with

    Lots here buy New Rules of LIfting for women.

    I don't and have never used machines it was all free weights for me. Compound lifts ensure you are getting your core.
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    emilybeaver wrote: »
    I've looked around a lot on this site and seeing pictures I've noticed most of you lift weights. How does one start or what machines repetitions, etc should I start on?
    I have scoliosis as well so anything to help build my core and back muscles would be great.
    Try to stick to free weights, not machines. Barbells and dumbbells are where it's at.
    Don't worry about "getting too bulky". You will never accidentally look like a bodybuilder.
  • griffinca2
    griffinca2 Posts: 672 Member
    Bodybuilding.com has lots of workouts to chose from. You might want to try and find a local gym (sole proprietor/family owned if you can find one (prices are usually better than the chains). More important then the amount of weight you lift is your form so if you can't find a gym, pick up some light weights to get started (local throw-away papers/ads usually have some for sale).
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I would suggest a good beginner program like strong lifts, starting strength, new rules of lifting for woman, etc. Pick a plan, commit to it, and stick with it. Also, IMO machines are a waste of time. You want to be hitting the big compound movements and maybe mix in some accessories....

    do you have access to a gym?
  • farfromthetree
    farfromthetree Posts: 982 Member
    If you can afford it, nothing beats getting a personal trainer who can watch and correct your form, and give you good movements to do. I agree with yusak02, free weights and barbells. they work your entire core where the machines dont. Any CrossFit gym would be great too, they usually have very knowledgeable trainers and it's a fun atmosphere!
  • dldense
    dldense Posts: 14 Member
    Check with your local hospital and see if they have a wellness center. I found out mine had one and for $45 a month I can go after work until 8 at night and two nights a week I even get to use the pool for a water workout. I like this option because they have all of the equipment that the regular gyms have but I wasn't tied into a contract. They also had a trainer onsite that taught me how to use all of the machines and answers any questions I have. I love it and work out most weeks 5 nights a week.
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I would suggest a good beginner program like strong lifts, starting strength, new rules of lifting for woman, etc. Pick a plan, commit to it, and stick with it. Also, IMO machines are a waste of time. You want to be hitting the big compound movements and maybe mix in some accessories....

    do you have access to a gym?

    ^This.^
  • emilybeaver
    emilybeaver Posts: 365 Member
    I do!!! I have free access to a gym with cardio weights pool and classes
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    What kind of classes? I know my gym has a, "muscle madness," class and it shows you the basics for beginning weight lifting.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Stronglifts 5x5
  • emilybeaver
    emilybeaver Posts: 365 Member
    It has pilates body pump body flow a lot of good ones. I make excuses though. They are later on in the evening and I have a hard time getting to them...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    emilybeaver wrote: »
    It has pilates body pump body flow a lot of good ones. I make excuses though. They are later on in the evening and I have a hard time getting to them...

    I would say ditch the classes and with strong lifts, starting strength, etc. You can do those on your own and don't need to go to a class.
  • gettinthere
    gettinthere Posts: 529 Member
    I started New rules of lifting for women on April 20th and I love it!! I had been pushing around light weights and using machines for years with little improvement, but in just 4 weeks of NROL4W I've noticed changes in my body shape and I'm getting stronger and have much better form! Good luck!
  • emilybeaver
    emilybeaver Posts: 365 Member
    gettinthere where do I find that?
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    emilybeaver wrote: »
    gettinthere where do I find that?

    You can buy the book on Amazon.
  • gettinthere
    gettinthere Posts: 529 Member
    I did order it from Amazon, but I'm sure the local book store has it as well. It wasn't that expensive and it's filled with nutritional info too.
  • gettinthere
    gettinthere Posts: 529 Member
    You will notice lots of amazingly strong and fit women around MFP that lift heavy and EAT, this book seems to explain the same things that you will read over and over again on the forums.
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    gettinthere wrote: »
    You will notice lots of amazingly strong and fit women around MFP that lift heavy and EAT, this book seems to explain the same things that you will read over and over again on the forums.

    Great book with great information. Just buy a hard copy and not an ebook.
  • rontafoya
    rontafoya Posts: 365 Member
    I'm going to give an atypical answer and say, train with a kettlebell at first, then graduate to weights. And that is coming from somebody who pumped iron in college then took about 20 years off. That is what I did. The benefit of kettlebell training was I got my core stronger and also got myself into good enough condition to even lift weights. The issue with starting out with weights is that lack of conditioning often results in lack of intensity. People always underestimate how intense and difficult weight training really is. The ultimate goal should be doing heavy compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses. But starting there is not really feasible for most people in my opinion.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    _dracarys_ wrote: »
    Stronglifts 5x5

    Yep. There is an app you can download to track your progress at stronglifts.com.
  • barryplumber
    barryplumber Posts: 401 Member
    yusaku02 wrote: »
    emilybeaver wrote: »
    I've looked around a lot on this site and seeing pictures I've noticed most of you lift weights. How does one start or what machines repetitions, etc should I start on?
    I have scoliosis as well so anything to help build my core and back muscles would be great.
    Try to stick to free weights, not machines. Barbells and dumbbells are where it's at.
    Don't worry about "getting too bulky". You will never accidentally look like a bodybuilder.

    Anyone new to lifting should stick to machines for a few weeks and concentrate on forum a this is the most important starting point. If you have improper form you very well may hurt yourself
  • DawnEmbers
    DawnEmbers Posts: 2,451 Member
    barryplumber wrote: »
    Anyone new to lifting should stick to machines for a few weeks and concentrate on forum a this is the most important starting point. If you have improper form you very well may hurt yourself

    I've got a question on that one then... How do you learn proper form for using barbells if you don't actually use them? Machines do have their place but they will have to learn the proper form with the proper equipment if planning to move on to using the squat rack or deadlifting.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    barryplumber wrote: »
    yusaku02 wrote: »
    emilybeaver wrote: »
    I've looked around a lot on this site and seeing pictures I've noticed most of you lift weights. How does one start or what machines repetitions, etc should I start on?
    I have scoliosis as well so anything to help build my core and back muscles would be great.
    Try to stick to free weights, not machines. Barbells and dumbbells are where it's at.
    Don't worry about "getting too bulky". You will never accidentally look like a bodybuilder.

    Anyone new to lifting should stick to machines for a few weeks and concentrate on forum a this is the most important starting point. If you have improper form you very well may hurt yourself

    So a machine is going to teach someone proper form on deadlift, really?????
  • TheSunshineQueen
    TheSunshineQueen Posts: 276 Member
    I recently joined bodyspace.bodybuilding.com because it enables you to create your own program(s) and has detailed information for each workout. It's particularly useful since I'm still very new to strength training and can't quite remember which exercise is which (obvious ones like "bicep curls" exempted).
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    barryplumber wrote: »
    yusaku02 wrote: »
    emilybeaver wrote: »
    I've looked around a lot on this site and seeing pictures I've noticed most of you lift weights. How does one start or what machines repetitions, etc should I start on?
    I have scoliosis as well so anything to help build my core and back muscles would be great.
    Try to stick to free weights, not machines. Barbells and dumbbells are where it's at.
    Don't worry about "getting too bulky". You will never accidentally look like a bodybuilder.

    Anyone new to lifting should stick to machines for a few weeks and concentrate on forum a this is the most important starting point. If you have improper form you very well may hurt yourself

    Or you could learn proper form with the proper tools.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    TheSunshineQueen wrote: »
    I recently joined bodyspace.bodybuilding.com because it enables you to create your own program(s) and has detailed information for each workout. It's particularly useful since I'm still very new to strength training and can't quite remember which exercise is which (obvious ones like "bicep curls" exempted).

    I would suggest going with a structured program as opposed to one designed by your self. Reason being, structured programs are designed by pros that have been lifting for a long time.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    barryplumber wrote: »
    yusaku02 wrote: »
    emilybeaver wrote: »
    I've looked around a lot on this site and seeing pictures I've noticed most of you lift weights. How does one start or what machines repetitions, etc should I start on?
    I have scoliosis as well so anything to help build my core and back muscles would be great.
    Try to stick to free weights, not machines. Barbells and dumbbells are where it's at.
    Don't worry about "getting too bulky". You will never accidentally look like a bodybuilder.

    Anyone new to lifting should stick to machines for a few weeks and concentrate on forum a this is the most important starting point. If you have improper form you very well may hurt yourself

    I'm going to join on piling on here. This is poor advice that doesn't even make sense. It's impossible to learn proper form from machines that don't function the same way as compound lifts.
  • emilybeaver
    emilybeaver Posts: 365 Member
    What kind of schedule do I do with lifting? I do treadmill 4 days a week....when should I put lifting in there?
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Have you looked at any of the links above? Start there.
This discussion has been closed.

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