Looking for guidance on lifting heavy weights... too embarrassed to ask people at gym for help :(

I think you can probably swing a few dollars towards a trainer. Try signing up for 10 sessions and let them know your goal is to learn proper form for all of the major lifts. You won't regret it

Don't get intimated. Shy people don't learn.

I agree about the "start light" comment. Follow the book, and also watch several form tutorials on youtube for each of the compound lifts like squats & deadlifts. Also video yourself doing the lifts, from multiple angles.

Be highly skeptical of advice in gyms, no matter how good their physique. Many people look good despite their mistakes, not because of them.

Starting Strength, buy the book. Rippetoe is one of the best strength coaches for the compound lifts. The book will lay everything out. Watch his YouTube vids on form also.

Hey! You're in Norman! I'm in OKC (well, Midwest City)! I've been getting the lifting itch too, but don't have a gym to call "home". I'm considering getting my own power rack and weights, and then going from there.

ETA: I know, this response isn't helpful. BUT, I *am* in your area.

Start out slow, learn the from and technique before worrying about going "heavy". it takes a while for your body to be conditioned for what you might consider heavy weight. Everyone's suggestions are great, and if you can get a PT, do that. But its so important to get solid with weights that are comfortable for you, get form and technique down and then progress slowly . Heavy lifting is awesome you'll love it.

an mfp member gifted me with starting strength while i was doing sl, and that's where i learned bench, squats and deadlifting too. i will say though, that for me i don't think lifting ever would have stuck if i hadn't been willing to keep on learning, continuously. other people's mileage may vary, but for myself idk if i'll ever really feel like i've got it down.

not trying to discourage you. just kind of thinking out loud, about how that's probably why i don't feel there's any such thing as a definitive guide to any sort of strength work. any source you start with is a good source for starting the learning process, is all.

bbell1985 wrote: »

You've read Strong Curves. Do you like the program? I suggest you ask specific questions based on your comprehension of the program. What exactly are you looking for?

Personally, I'd make the investment for personal training for one month to learn the compound lifts. I couldn't afford it. I did it. It changed my life. I was overweight my entire life...now I'm fit, and have a new hobby..and lifestyle. When I'm on my deathbed I won't be regretting that few hundred dollars I spent on at trainer.

This.

But, you have to be careful, because most 'trainers' will not endorse nor properly train a woman who wants to lift heavy. They will try to dissuade you, citing 'this and that' for how you will 'bulk up' and such. They will set you up for failure, then offer the safety net of cardio and pink dumbbells. They don't make money on women who achieve their goals in the gym, they make money on the women they convince to go through their gauntlet of cardio and low weight high rep machines, and most of them know it. Interview your trainers, find one who is excited you're wanting to enter the freeweight area! You'll most likely be able to tell the difference just in how they communicate with you about it.

It's a tough gig breaking into lifting sometimes...for a man, or woman. I'm teaching my 5'2 102lb 19yr old daughter, and she's already surpassing many of the 'gym rats' in form. She will eventually surpass them in weight (men and women both), because she's lifting on a program with a dedicated purpose...rather than just 'bro' lifting where you put whatever feels right on the bar. She's pointed out (discreetly!) poor form in a number of people at the gym, which I encourage because it tells me she's thinking about it under her own motivation.

With that said, here's a few other pointers. Download Jefit. It's a weight lifting app with pretty decent form animations. Build your workout in the app from the book you read if you liked it. Make your trainer teach you THOSE lifts. You will have the animations to check him with. Devour everything Mark Rippetoe on YouTube. Watch it, think about it, and watch it some more. You aren't ever going to get a better trainer than him. If your hired trainer tries to steer you too far from what you learned, be wary.

Finally, I want to tell you congratulations and good for you! Nothing will change your body for the better like heavy lifting. Keep up the moderate cardio (I walk 3.5-4mph for an hour to an hour and a half, 4 days a week...and strength train 3), lift heavy...and your overall health will be dramatically improved.

"
I find stronglifts to be too agressive of a program for people brand new at lifting.
First and foremost is form. You can start progressing on weight until the form is good."

It could be too aggressive BUT you do not HAVE to increase weight EVERY day. The app that comes with the program allows you to adjust the weight you're lifting manually. You can progress at your own pace. The program clearly states that if you feel you are getting ahead of yourself, you should "deload" decrease weight and start again.