New to lifting weights, any advice helps

ADaniM14
ADaniM14 Posts: 36 Member
edited November 29 in Fitness and Exercise
I’ve been to the gym on and off for a few years as a person who had a love-hate relationship with it. I just recently found my love-love relationship with weight lifting! If anyone has any advice or wants to add me to talk workout things, feel free!

Replies

  • reggie2run
    reggie2run Posts: 477 Member
    Start with small/low weight and slowly build up. I've been lifting for 4+ years now and I fell in love with it too. But growing and developing muscle is a slow process. Don't be discouraged if you don't see quick results like you do with cardio. Will send you a FR.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    I would be more concerned with consistency than I would "the best" (whatever that means). There is no best program, not every workout will be you best, etc etc etc. But put in the time and the work on a regular and consistent basis and everything else will work itself out.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Find a program, I like Strong Lifts 5x5;
    Start light, you'll catch up quickly;
    Keep/maintain proper form, see above about starting light;
    Keep on keeping on.
    Enjoy
  • 23rochelle23
    23rochelle23 Posts: 269 Member
    I second a vote for StrongLifts - I was doing a different selection of exercises before that
    Arms one day
    Abs and back one day
    Legs one day
    Shoulders and chest one day

    I’m getting much better improvements with stronglifts with less time in the gym, getting much stronger and can see the muscle development

  • steveko89
    steveko89 Posts: 2,223 Member
    Follow a proven, published routine commensurate with your goals rather than a DIY program or no plan at all. Higher likelihood of steady progression with a properly structured program in terms of volume, balance, recovery, and injury prevention.

    I know it's popular to knock machines but for general fitness goals I'm a proponent of compound open-chain movements vs. closed chain isolation moves.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Get your form perfect, even if it means hiring a trainer. Weights without form is useless.
  • nstock
    nstock Posts: 135 Member
    Form is super important. Make sure you are getting that down using low weight first. Once you do that, lift heavy! I fell in love with weight training too (after years of being a cardio bunny). Your body will completely transform, but it is slow! Make sure you’re eating properly too. Your muscles need to be fed in order to grow aka look toned. I always used bodybuilding.com for work outs. They have different fitness levels for their programs, and you can watch videos for form!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Get your form perfect, even if it means hiring a trainer. Weights without form is useless.

    Another vote for a few sessions with a personal trainer. If you just joined a gym, your membership likely included 1-3 sessions for free. Many gyms have small group sessions for cheap. If you have to pay full price, it's still a great investment.
  • dommylifts
    dommylifts Posts: 96 Member
    Have someone who knows what they’re doing show you the lifts. Lifts that may look easy can sometimes be the most destructive to your body if done improperly, ie the deadlift. Looks like you need to pick it up and put it down but if you do it wrong your back is done for. Good luck! I sent you a friend request as I also love lifting
  • ADaniM14
    ADaniM14 Posts: 36 Member
    reggie2run wrote: »
    Start with small/low weight and slowly build up. I've been lifting for 4+ years now and I fell in love with it too. But growing and developing muscle is a slow process. Don't be discouraged if you don't see quick results like you do with cardio. Will send you a FR.

    I’ve had to learn that patience is my best friend already! Thank you for the advice!!

    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    I would be more concerned with consistency than I would "the best" (whatever that means). There is no best program, not every workout will be you best, etc etc etc. But put in the time and the work on a regular and consistent basis and everything else will work itself out.

    I don’t want to be the “best” at anything besides the best me that I can possibly be. Thank you!

    pondee629 wrote: »
    Find a program, I like Strong Lifts 5x5;
    Start light, you'll catch up quickly;
    Keep/maintain proper form, see above about starting light;
    Keep on keeping on.
    Enjoy

    I’ve been videoing myself just to help make sure I’m maintaining the proper form. Do you suggest anything else? I’ve started very light because I’m hoping to get the range of motion down before trying to increase weight. Thank you!!

    23rochelle23 wrote: »
    I second a vote for StrongLifts - I was doing a different selection of exercises before that
    Arms one day
    Abs and back one day
    Legs one day
    Shoulders and chest one day

    I’m getting much better improvements with stronglifts with less time in the gym, getting much stronger and can see the muscle development

    Thank you so much! Definitely going to check it out.


    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Here ( below) is a list of good programmes.

    I prefer AllPro to Stronglifts.

    Choose one that suits you and follow the excellent advice given above.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    Cheers, h.

    THANK YOU!! will check it out for sure.
    dommylifts wrote: »
    Have someone who knows what they’re doing show you the lifts. Lifts that may look easy can sometimes be the most destructive to your body if done improperly, ie the deadlift. Looks like you need to pick it up and put it down but if you do it wrong your back is done for. Good luck! I sent you a friend request as I also love lifting

    So far deadlifts SCARE ME. No amount of videos can prepare me for that perfect form. I’m thinking I’m going to get a PT to help me out with them for sure. Thank you!!
  • ebholmes27
    ebholmes27 Posts: 8 Member
    Watch Jeff Cavaleire on Athlean X videos on YouTube
  • ADaniM14
    ADaniM14 Posts: 36 Member
    ebholmes27 wrote: »
    Watch Jeff Cavaleire on Athlean X videos on YouTube

    Thank you!
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    ADaniM14 wrote: »
    reggie2run wrote: »
    Start with small/low weight and slowly build up. I've been lifting for 4+ years now and I fell in love with it too. But growing and developing muscle is a slow process. Don't be discouraged if you don't see quick results like you do with cardio. Will send you a FR.

    I’ve had to learn that patience is my best friend already! Thank you for the advice!!

    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    I would be more concerned with consistency than I would "the best" (whatever that means). There is no best program, not every workout will be you best, etc etc etc. But put in the time and the work on a regular and consistent basis and everything else will work itself out.

    I don’t want to be the “best” at anything besides the best me that I can possibly be. Thank you!

    pondee629 wrote: »
    Find a program, I like Strong Lifts 5x5;
    Start light, you'll catch up quickly;
    Keep/maintain proper form, see above about starting light;
    Keep on keeping on.
    Enjoy

    I’ve been videoing myself just to help make sure I’m maintaining the proper form. Do you suggest anything else? I’ve started very light because I’m hoping to get the range of motion down before trying to increase weight. Thank you!!

    23rochelle23 wrote: »
    I second a vote for StrongLifts - I was doing a different selection of exercises before that
    Arms one day
    Abs and back one day
    Legs one day
    Shoulders and chest one day

    I’m getting much better improvements with stronglifts with less time in the gym, getting much stronger and can see the muscle development

    Thank you so much! Definitely going to check it out.


    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Here ( below) is a list of good programmes.

    I prefer AllPro to Stronglifts.

    Choose one that suits you and follow the excellent advice given above.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    Cheers, h.

    THANK YOU!! will check it out for sure.
    dommylifts wrote: »
    Have someone who knows what they’re doing show you the lifts. Lifts that may look easy can sometimes be the most destructive to your body if done improperly, ie the deadlift. Looks like you need to pick it up and put it down but if you do it wrong your back is done for. Good luck! I sent you a friend request as I also love lifting

    So far deadlifts SCARE ME. No amount of videos can prepare me for that perfect form. I’m thinking I’m going to get a PT to help me out with them for sure. Thank you!!

    It never hurts to post your videos on here to get critique on your form. Hard for novices (and experienced lifters at times) to see their own flaws and know what to do to correct them.

    As far as deadlifts, this is the best and easiest description I have seen:

    https://startingstrength.com/training/the-deadlift-in-5-steps

    1. Step up to the bar with a vertical-jump width stance and toes slightly out. Place the bar 1 inch from your shins.
    2. Without bending your knees, take a grip on the bar right outside your shins. DO NOT MOVE THE BAR
    3. Without moving the bar, drop your shins to the bar by bending your knees. Once again, DO NOT MOVE THE BAR
    4. Squeeze your chest up to set the back in extension.
    5. Drag the bar up your legs, keep the bar in contact with your legs the whole way up.

    Overly simplistic but watch the video. Again, start light and take videos and review between sets. I find that I screw up my form more if I don't reset for every rep.
  • ADaniM14
    ADaniM14 Posts: 36 Member
    shor0814 wrote: »
    ADaniM14 wrote: »
    reggie2run wrote: »
    Start with small/low weight and slowly build up. I've been lifting for 4+ years now and I fell in love with it too. But growing and developing muscle is a slow process. Don't be discouraged if you don't see quick results like you do with cardio. Will send you a FR.

    I’ve had to learn that patience is my best friend already! Thank you for the advice!!

    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    I would be more concerned with consistency than I would "the best" (whatever that means). There is no best program, not every workout will be you best, etc etc etc. But put in the time and the work on a regular and consistent basis and everything else will work itself out.

    I don’t want to be the “best” at anything besides the best me that I can possibly be. Thank you!

    pondee629 wrote: »
    Find a program, I like Strong Lifts 5x5;
    Start light, you'll catch up quickly;
    Keep/maintain proper form, see above about starting light;
    Keep on keeping on.
    Enjoy

    I’ve been videoing myself just to help make sure I’m maintaining the proper form. Do you suggest anything else? I’ve started very light because I’m hoping to get the range of motion down before trying to increase weight. Thank you!!

    23rochelle23 wrote: »
    I second a vote for StrongLifts - I was doing a different selection of exercises before that
    Arms one day
    Abs and back one day
    Legs one day
    Shoulders and chest one day

    I’m getting much better improvements with stronglifts with less time in the gym, getting much stronger and can see the muscle development

    Thank you so much! Definitely going to check it out.


    middlehaitch wrote: »
    Here ( below) is a list of good programmes.

    I prefer AllPro to Stronglifts.

    Choose one that suits you and follow the excellent advice given above.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    Cheers, h.

    THANK YOU!! will check it out for sure.
    dommylifts wrote: »
    Have someone who knows what they’re doing show you the lifts. Lifts that may look easy can sometimes be the most destructive to your body if done improperly, ie the deadlift. Looks like you need to pick it up and put it down but if you do it wrong your back is done for. Good luck! I sent you a friend request as I also love lifting

    So far deadlifts SCARE ME. No amount of videos can prepare me for that perfect form. I’m thinking I’m going to get a PT to help me out with them for sure. Thank you!!

    It never hurts to post your videos on here to get critique on your form. Hard for novices (and experienced lifters at times) to see their own flaws and know what to do to correct them.

    As far as deadlifts, this is the best and easiest description I have seen:

    https://startingstrength.com/training/the-deadlift-in-5-steps

    1. Step up to the bar with a vertical-jump width stance and toes slightly out. Place the bar 1 inch from your shins.
    2. Without bending your knees, take a grip on the bar right outside your shins. DO NOT MOVE THE BAR
    3. Without moving the bar, drop your shins to the bar by bending your knees. Once again, DO NOT MOVE THE BAR
    4. Squeeze your chest up to set the back in extension.
    5. Drag the bar up your legs, keep the bar in contact with your legs the whole way up.

    Overly simplistic but watch the video. Again, start light and take videos and review between sets. I find that I screw up my form more if I don't reset for every rep.

    Thank you so much!! Seriously so much help
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    edited November 2018
    dommylifts wrote: »
    Have someone who knows what they’re doing show you the lifts. Lifts that may look easy can sometimes be the most destructive to your body if done improperly, ie the deadlift. Looks like you need to pick it up and put it down but if you do it wrong your back is done for. Good luck! I sent you a friend request as I also love lifting

    I know you mean well, but the bolded is simply not true and potentially harmful advice.

    Injuries come from poor load management not form. If that is what you meant by your statement, I would concur.

This discussion has been closed.

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