Beginner needing advice
Hfeff
Posts: 37 Member
I am a mother of two. My youngest is only six months old but I need to get back into the exercise track. I used to run 5k's. That was my exercise. I will get back into that but what I really want to do is build my upper body strength. Where do I start? Do I need to start lifting? Are there exercises I can do at home to help me? Do I need a gym? I am not sure where to begin. Any advice would be welcoming.
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Replies
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Go to a gym that has child care. Get someone to show you how to barbell squat, deadlift, overhead press, and bench press. Go on nonconsecutive days and add weight to the bar. You will change your life.
There is a forum for "stronglifts" for women somewhere in these communities. In my opinion 5 sets of 5 is overkill and I do 3x5. But it will give you a lot of good information.
All the best0 -
I am also a mother of 2 and I absolutely do not have time to go to the gym. I workout at home. I started with 21 Day Fix and am now doing P90X3, both of which are only 30 minutes a day, but incredibly effective! The progress in my upper body has been amazing! And all you need is some Dumbbells or resistance bands.I am a mother of two. My youngest is only six months old but I need to get back into the exercise track. I used to run 5k's. That was my exercise. I will get back into that but what I really want to do is build my upper body strength. Where do I start? Do I need to start lifting? Are there exercises I can do at home to help me? Do I need a gym? I am not sure where to begin. Any advice would be welcoming.
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By the way, don't try to only do only the presses. because you are concerned about your upper body. Squats and deadlifts build your back and abs. Also you will change your smaller muscles faster if you work your bigger ones.0
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I would recommend 5 and 7 lbs Dumbbells!
Start with standing Bicep curls and lateral raises with the 5 lb first.
Try three sets of 10-15 reps and do them every other day!
Add triceps and shoulders too!
Look on YouTube for help or ask anyone with experience in weights.
You can absolutely do them at home.
My mom started with 5lb weights doing them at home and her arms have gotten more definition over the years, you don't need to go to a gym but in my opinion "consistency" is key.
Good luck!0 -
You don't need to go to the gym, but it's easier to stay focused when you're at one. My gym closed recently so I'm forced to workout at home. I have 3 kids and I get interrupted so much that some days it takes me all day to finish a workout whereas if I were at the gym, I'd be done in an hour. I know it won't be like this forever, but working out at home just isn't as enjoyable or productive for me.0
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Do you have some dumbbells? Try some workout videos on YouTube. Jillian Michaels and Denise Austin have some good ones...30 day shred, no more trouble zones, body boot camp, etc...0
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You can build incredible upper body strength simply using body weight exercises at home. Push ups, pull ups, dips, and all the variations for each will keep it fun and challenging for you while also allowing you to consistently progress.0
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Yep! Gotta lift, but you can start without weights....push-ups, knee bends, planks....0
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You can build incredible upper body strength simply using body weight exercises at home. Push ups, pull ups, dips, and all the variations for each will keep it fun and challenging for you while also allowing you to consistently progress.
Right now I can't do a push up or a pull up. How can I get my arms strong enough to be able to do a push up? ow do I know if I am progressing?0 -
I am also a mother of 3 little ones. I don't have time to go to the gym. I workout at home and I have found great success recently with some programs that I can do in my own home. I would love to talk with you and give you some tips if you are interested. Let me know...0
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angelaklem wrote: »I am also a mother of 3 little ones. I don't have time to go to the gym. I workout at home and I have found great success recently with some programs that I can do in my own home. I would love to talk with you and give you some tips if you are interested. Let me know...
Yes that would be great.0 -
To work up your strength to doing pushups (at home), try stair pushups. Stand at the bottom of a set of stairs, get into pushup position but with your hands on one of the steps - start with maybe the 4th step, and try to do some pushups (5-10). If it's easy, move you hands down a step, so your body is closer to horizontal. If it's hard, move up, so your body is closer to vertical. If you can do between 5-10, stay there. Do pushups on that step until it's no longer tough (e.g. you can do 5 sets of 5 with good form), then move your hands down a step. Repeat till your hands are on the floor. Voila - pushups!0
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You can build incredible upper body strength simply using body weight exercises at home. Push ups, pull ups, dips, and all the variations for each will keep it fun and challenging for you while also allowing you to consistently progress.
Right now I can't do a push up or a pull up. How can I get my arms strong enough to be able to do a push up? ow do I know if I am progressing?
I believe someone touched on a progression for the push up.
For pull ups I would suggest inverted rows. They are extremely helpful in developing the strength needed to do pull ups. I personally used these to start when I couldn't do pull ups. Second progression would be assisted pull ups. Simply have a friend hold your feet against their thigh/knee while you pull up. Eventually you won't need any assistance.
There are several ways to measure progress. If you do 10 push ups today vs. The 9 you did yesterday thats progress. If you did 9 push ups in 30 seconds today vs. The 9 you did yesterday in 40 seconds you've progressed.0 -
I need some advice on my workout schedule. I started working with a trainer who is 15yrs a bit younger than me. He gave me a list of things to do on my own, worked me through it, and sent me on my way. Today I am stumped as to what I can do next since he kicked my assets yesterday and every major muscle group is screaming at me. My rest day isn't until Saturday. Any ideas on what I should be doing in between these ridiculous burn outs?0
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mandyloose123 wrote: »I need some advice on my workout schedule. I started working with a trainer who is 15yrs a bit younger than me. He gave me a list of things to do on my own, worked me through it, and sent me on my way. Today I am stumped as to what I can do next since he kicked my assets yesterday and every major muscle group is screaming at me. My rest day isn't until Saturday. Any ideas on what I should be doing in between these ridiculous burn outs?
Stretching directly after workouts will help tremendously w DOMS (soreness), foam rolling also helps, and finally water aerobics helps as well.0 -
You can build incredible upper body strength simply using body weight exercises at home. Push ups, pull ups, dips, and all the variations for each will keep it fun and challenging for you while also allowing you to consistently progress.
Right now I can't do a push up or a pull up. How can I get my arms strong enough to be able to do a push up? ow do I know if I am progressing?
I believe someone touched on a progression for the push up.
For pull ups I would suggest inverted rows. They are extremely helpful in developing the strength needed to do pull ups. I personally used these to start when I couldn't do pull ups. Second progression would be assisted pull ups. Simply have a friend hold your feet against their thigh/knee while you pull up. Eventually you won't need any assistance.
There are several ways to measure progress. If you do 10 push ups today vs. The 9 you did yesterday thats progress. If you did 9 push ups in 30 seconds today vs. The 9 you did yesterday in 40 seconds you've progressed.
Don't I need to be able to support my own body weight in order to do a pull up or push up?0 -
Youtube has so many videos available for nearly every exercise program in the world!0
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