Beginners Strength Training/Lifting

Goingagain · August 2011

I am nearing my weight loss goal and have been really inspired looking at some of the people on this site who are so ripped!!

I know once I reach my goal of 126 (now 131) i'll need something to keep me focused and also to take the skinny look away which I tend to look at 126.

So .. I'd love to have some toned muscular arms, back and a nice toned stomach, not build muscle as such just tone what I have, any tips for a complete beginner?

cabul3 · August 2011

if you can, meet with a trainer to guide you through a basic workout program.
it'll take a few weeks for the results to show, so why not start training NOW already, so your working out will show a solid difference by the time you reach 126?
congrats on being only 5 lbs from your goal

)

Crang81 · August 2011

If you have access to gym classes, I reccomend TRX it's a total body workout, not ment to build bulk, but will tone you up. I've just started doing it and after the first class I was sold on it!

Rae6503 · August 2011

Start training now, there's no reason to wait. I'm not going to a gym currently but in the past my programs have looked something like this:

3 sets, 12 reps (the last two should be pretty hard). 1 min rest between each set.

Upper Body:
Lat pull-down
Chest Press
Shoulder press
Bicep curls
tricep extensions.

Lower Body:
Leg Press or Squats
Adductors,
Abductors
Hamstring curls
Quad lifts
Something for calves

I start with things that target the most muscle groups, and then narrow things down.

Rae6503 · August 2011

Oh, yeah and core. I generally just do 3 sets of 30 bicycles.

duqtape · August 2011

If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, I am absolutely in LOVE with the totally free Nike Training Club. It is 30-45 minute full body workouts that can be done at home or the gym, but the best part, is it actually tells you your workout in your ears. You just listen to the music and follow the prompts. But take it slow the first few times! It'll kick your butt something awful, but I think it is just so much fun and the time flies by.