New to strength training.

SANW15
SANW15 Posts: 118 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
I am new to strength training. Does anyone have any good beginner strength training schedules? I a do cardio and calorie count but I am looking to start trying to tone. I feel like when I am at the gym I either way over do it on the weights or under do it! Please help! Feel free to add me I am always looking for more accountability buddies!!

Replies

  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    Check out bodybuilding.com. Jamie Eason Livefit Trainer is a great routine for beginners.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    Second the vote for bodybuilding.com. There are lots of beginner level workouts to choose from. Check them out and pick the one that meets your goals. I like Dr. Jim Stoppani's workouts, personally.
  • tillerstouch
    tillerstouch Posts: 608 Member
    Bodybuilding.com has some really good workouts but the problem with a lot of them is they dont tell you how much weight to add each week.

    I would recommend stronglifts 5x5 for a new lifter, theres an app for it and i think youll see the best results.

    What ever you pick make sure it mostly utilizes compound lifts (bench, deadlift, row, squat)
  • Lizarking
    Lizarking Posts: 507 Member
    starting strength by mark rippetoe. Read the book.
  • Lipsmahoney
    Lipsmahoney Posts: 512 Member
    sanwigley15 wrote: »
    I am new to strength training. Does anyone have any good beginner strength training schedules? I a do cardio and calorie count but I am looking to start trying to tone. I feel like when I am at the gym I either way over do it on the weights or under do it! Please help! Feel free to add me I am always looking for more accountability buddies!!

    Go to the www.popeyescanada.com page and at the bottom left you will see a transformation challenge called Strong to the Finish with beginner and advanced plans for meals and workouts. Good luck :)
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    cathipa wrote: »
    Check out bodybuilding.com. Jamie Eason Livefit Trainer is a great routine for beginners.

    I disagree. More on that here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/36328587/#Comment_36328587

    OP - see the list of popular programs here:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    Or hire a good personal trainer for a customized program, and to get your form checked.

    If you're relatively weak, barbell-based programs might not be good to start with. :+1:
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I like stronglifts 5x5. You can google it and find the spreadsheet or use the app. It's pretty straight forward and easy to follow. If you have questions on form, ask a trainer at the gym to show you or look at pictures or videos online.
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    edited January 2017
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    cathipa wrote: »
    Check out bodybuilding.com. Jamie Eason Livefit Trainer is a great routine for beginners.

    I disagree. More on that here:

    Your opinion. Just giving the OP suggestions.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Wouldn't a good progression be to start with a "strength" program and then move on to hypertrophy?
  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    edited January 2017
    I edited my last post since I read the link wrong. They are all working on strength. Most people want to see results (i.e. tone) more so than how much they can lift at one time.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Another vote for Stronglifts 5x5. Check it out at stronglifts.com. Download the app, check your form, and have fun!
  • emilysusana
    emilysusana Posts: 416 Member
    I liked The New Rules of Lifting for Women. Or Rachel Cosgrove's Female Body Breakthrough. I've done both. Both great strength programs, easy to follow, great results if you use the workouts combined with calorie tracking.
  • cogirljb
    cogirljb Posts: 66 Member
    I suggest stronglifts 5x5 as well!! Been doing it for several months and absolutely love it :))
  • mikeshealth2016
    mikeshealth2016 Posts: 17 Member
    Check out StrongLifts 5x5 and starting strength you can also type in weight training for beginners or beginners routines
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    Another vote for Stronglifts 5x5
  • dbkyser
    dbkyser Posts: 612 Member
    I use Stronglifts 5X5 and think its fantastic.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    I also do Strong Lifts 5x5. If an weighted bar (45 pounds) is too much for you to start, you can use lighter dumbbells held in the same position as one would hold a bar to get started.

    My gym also has set weight barbells less than 45 which could also be used.

    It must work as I am lifting heaver than before.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    DancingMoosie wrote: »
    Wouldn't a good progression be to start with a "strength" program and then move on to hypertrophy?

    They are more intertwined than most people thing. Hypertrophy is driven by volume, rather than a particular rep range. It may occur easier for a person in a particular rep range but they would sacrifice total strength.


    Thinner, Leaner, Stronger, NROL4W and StrongCurves are great places to start and more directed at women and as books, they provide a lot more than just exercise. And all the program are close to 1 year long or more.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    cathipa wrote: »
    I edited my last post since I read the link wrong. They are all working on strength. Most people want to see results (i.e. tone) more so than how much they can lift at one time.

    I understand that. However, the fact is that most strength training programs working on purely aesthetic goals (what you call "toning") have you following exercises and progressions that are a lot less safe and a lot more injury prone for people who have not yet already built up a good strong base of functional strength.

    You have to accept that getting where you want is going to take time. And if you really are starting out from square one, you need to accept that in order to do it safely and properly you're going to need to spend some time focusing mainly on building functional strength and perfecting the basic compound lifts before you progress onto other things. That's why all the "beginner" programs people recommend on here are stuff like Stronglifts which focus on that. If you think you can or should bypass that portion of the process, then the fact is, you're flat out wrong. And that statement applies regardless of your goals.
  • VictoriaHazelwood
    VictoriaHazelwood Posts: 23 Member
    Welcome to the wonderful world of weightlifting! I definitely recommend checking out bodybuilding.com or even try a session with a trainer. Most gyms will give you a free session or two.
  • HeatherHarling
    HeatherHarling Posts: 6 Member
    I LOVE "The New Rules of Lifting for Women" and "Strong" by Lou Schuyler. They give you simple, progressive workouts that are very effective
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