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too weak... - easy beginner exercises?

bunnylovesfood
bunnylovesfood Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am just getting into strength training but I am finding it really difficult to do lots of the exercises recommended on websites.

Everyone says using your own body weight is better that the machines but I am so weak that I can hardly do any of them.

e.g I cant do a pressup - even one of the ones on your knees
I cant do one of those things where you lie on the floor and try to touch your toes

can anyone give me some exercises to start off with so i can build my strength?

Replies

  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Push ups - start with standing push ups against the wall. Then work the angle downward, tall countertop, then desk top, then maybe a chair.....work your way towards the floor.

    Squats are great for the lower body (just be careful of your form).

    Planks work your core. http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-the-Plank-Exercise
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    dumbbell press, you can start light and work your way up
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    bunnylovesfood wrote: »
    I am just getting into strength training but I am finding it really difficult to do lots of the exercises recommended on websites.

    Everyone says using your own body weight is better that the machines but I am so weak that I can hardly do any of them.

    e.g I cant do a pressup - even one of the ones on your knees
    I cant do one of those things where you lie on the floor and try to touch your toes

    can anyone give me some exercises to start off with so i can build my strength?

    With push ups I had to start with doing them on the counter and slowly moving my feet back, then I could do them from my knees and finally feet.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    edited April 2016
    bunnylovesfood wrote: »
    I am just getting into strength training but I am finding it really difficult to do lots of the exercises recommended on websites.

    Everyone says using your own body weight is better that the machines but I am so weak that I can hardly do any of them.

    e.g I cant do a pressup - even one of the ones on your knees
    I cant do one of those things where you lie on the floor and try to touch your toes

    can anyone give me some exercises to start off with so i can build my strength?

    Where are you doing strength training, at home or at a gym?

    Many traditional, unmodified, bodyweight exercises are actually quite hard for beginners as you'd have access to much lighter weights at a gym.
  • Irishsugar
    Irishsugar Posts: 117 Member
    I second the wall push-ups. I am a beginner as well and I have done the Jillian Michaels BEGINNER shred. The second did was a little tricky for me so I stuck with the first. Baby steps... You will get there!!
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    bunnylovesfood wrote: »
    I am just getting into strength training but I am finding it really difficult to do lots of the exercises recommended on websites.

    Everyone says using your own body weight is better that the machines but I am so weak that I can hardly do any of them.

    e.g I cant do a pressup - even one of the ones on your knees
    I cant do one of those things where you lie on the floor and try to touch your toes

    can anyone give me some exercises to start off with so i can build my strength?

    Where are you doing strength training, at home or at a gym?

    Many traditional, unmodified, bodyweight exercises are actually quite hard for beginners as you'd have access to much lighter weights at a gym.

    Imo modified bodyweight exercise will be better because the op will be building some core strength which isn't going to happen lying on a bench or sitting on a machine.
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