want to start lifting, any advice?

Stronglifts 5x5 (available free on the internet), Starting Strength and New Rules of Lifting for Women are good beginner programmes. Follow a recognised programme and don't try and make something up yourself at this stage.

Starting Strength is good for breaking down moves, but follow everything up with youtube videos - hopefully someone will have some good recommendations on those.

All of the above programmes are good compound lifts. I printed out pictures from New Rules of Lifting, took them to my gym and asked for someone to show me those specific lifts and only those.

good luck!!

Bodybuilding.com also has a lot of videos on how to do exercises if you don't want to search youtube, also it has a lot different work out routines on it.

One tip if you can try to find someone to workout with you. It really helps you lift harder when you have a spotter/buddy. They don't need to be as strong as you either. My gf is my lifting buddy/spotter and I'm typically lifting more then she weighs lol. If you can find a spotter though make sure to still push yourself.

Goodluck and have fun!

AllanMisner wrote: »

The New Rules of Lifting for Women book is probably the best one.

Start with lighter weights (or body weight) until you get comfortable with the proper form. Slowly add weight to make the workouts progressively more difficult/build strength.

Allan Misner
NASM Certified Personal Trainer (Corrective Exercise Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist)
Host of the 40+ Fitness Podcast

This would be my advise. Start light, ridiculously light, you can increase your weight very easily. You can't recover from an injury that quickly.

finneyjason218 wrote: »

This is what I always tell people. If you don't know how to do an exercise, find the most muscular dude in the gym and ask him how to do it. He will be flattered - no one needs validation more than men who lift weights. Plus, he knows a thing or two, no one who spends that much time in the gym learns nothing. Heck, he'd probably give you a whole regiment if you asked for it. And bam, you get free personal training. Repeat this a few times, compare-contrast, and you'll be an expert in no time. You'd probably even pick up a friend or two

+1. Nothing worse than harming yourself at the beginning of your new journey.

Though it'll vary, as in some guys may be more helpful than others, it's a lot better than not having any help to start. Once you get the hang of things and get comfortable with the equipment, exercise movements, and yourself, you'll be at a place you may have never even thought you'd be. We all were in the same place you were at some point.

Follow Julia Gilas and Yoventura on Instagram! Both have great work out tutorials for full body weight training.

Search in you tube. Livestrong has some good videos also strengthcamp.

I would really recommend SL5x5 - it's free on the net, has videos to show you good form, is only 5 exercises to learn, it's easy to follow and only takes about 45mins 3xweek and most importantly it works! I'm 6 weeks in and I've gone from Squatting 25kg to 85kg (I'm a 60kg 5ft 6" female). I was also intimidated by the blokes in the gym but this program is so easy to follow you don't need any help. Now I'm into it I have now confidence and have made a few gym friends and don't mind if I get funny looks for being the only girl in the weights section! Some days I'm lifting heavier than the "guy" in the next squat rack!

Search "Buff Dudes" on YouTube. Those guys have well put together videos focusing on proper form, mistakes, exercise variations and more. They also have a companion channel for recipes.