advice on weight lifting routine

WifeNMama
WifeNMama Posts: 2,876 Member
I'm trying out a gym for the first time, and want to get into free weights. I've decided on using dumbbells rather than a barbell and am wondering if the moves I've chosen covers all the muscles for a full body session. If not, can you suggest some? Or tell me if I can drop a couple if they're overlapping with others. I've worn out Google with trying to piece together a program to start with. Anyway, here's my list:

Squats
Lunges
Deadlifts
Stiff leg deadlifts
bench press
Military press
Dumbbell row
Lat raises

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • WifeNMama
    WifeNMama Posts: 2,876 Member
    Anyone?
  • spazofthedead
    spazofthedead Posts: 175 Member
    It looks pretty solid, with minimal overlap. Just one question - why choose dumbbells over barbells?
  • cyncetastic
    cyncetastic Posts: 165
    You can give the program I started with a shot. I detailed it in my blog here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/cyncetastic/view/beginner-s-weight-training-routine-230719

    I got great results from it!
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    if you haven't lifted before, new rules for lifting for women is an awesome resource.
  • TriciaZ944
    TriciaZ944 Posts: 317 Member
    if you haven't lifted before, new rules for lifting for women is an awesome resource.

    ^ agree
  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
    I do strength 3 days a week. I have 3 workouts in which each has a dedicated group of muscles rather than specific workouts. Each workout day combines upper and lower body and different areas. Ive composed a binder for myself (courtesy of Google lol) where I've collected different workouts for each muscle group.

    Workout A:

    Chest
    Triceps
    Shoulders
    Glutes
    Hamstrings
    Abs

    so I'll flip through my binder and do 2-3 strength workouts for each group. It sounds like a lot but it's not bad. And I also use dumbbells because that's what I have at home.
  • WifeNMama
    WifeNMama Posts: 2,876 Member
    I read up on dumb vs. bar, and dumb makes you work both sides equally, instead of possibly favoring one side or the other. Plus you can drop em if you need to, instead of getting pinned under. I'm not guaranteed I'll have a spotter. And you have to work harder to keep them balanced.

    Thanks, cynctastic, i'll take a look. :-)

    I've been in the nrol group, just can't get the book right now.

    Thanks, all.
  • rsward
    rsward Posts: 45
    bump
  • mattack
    mattack Posts: 137 Member
    I recommend stronglifts 5x5!
  • bebreli
    bebreli Posts: 227 Member
    Bump
  • Loko_Ino
    Loko_Ino Posts: 544 Member
    I got a chance to read new rules for lifting for women because every women I know talks about it...solid stuff in there. can get it cheap on amazon.
  • petchib
    petchib Posts: 15
    I would keep the below exercises.

    Squats
    Deadlifts
    Bench press

    And add -

    Overhead press
    Barbell Row

    All are great full body exercises. If you are just starting out, use dumbells, if you eventually want to go heavy you will have to switch to a barbell.
  • spazofthedead
    spazofthedead Posts: 175 Member
    I read up on dumb vs. bar, and dumb makes you work both sides equally, instead of possibly favoring one side or the other. Plus you can drop em if you need to, instead of getting pinned under. I'm not guaranteed I'll have a spotter. And you have to work harder to keep them balanced.

    Thanks, cynctastic, i'll take a look. :-)

    I've been in the nrol group, just can't get the book right now.

    Thanks, all.

    Those are good reasons, and I use dumbbells for accessory exercises some days because of that. The main problem you can get into with them is that they get heavy FAST and I stalled out way before I should have. With barbells you can just keep piling the weight on...
  • WifeNMama
    WifeNMama Posts: 2,876 Member
    I would keep the below exercises.

    Squats
    Deadlifts
    Bench press

    And add -

    Overhead press
    Barbell Row

    All are great full body exercises. If you are just starting out, use dumbells, if you eventually want to go heavy you will have to switch to a barbell.
    Yeah those 3 were my definite keepers.
    May I ask why overhead instead of military press? And aside from the equipment, aren't barbell and dumbbell rows essentially the same?
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    You can give the program I started with a shot. I detailed it in my blog here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/cyncetastic/view/beginner-s-weight-training-routine-230719

    I got great results from it!

    I basically do this routine - its great.

    NROLFW is also great as some others mentioned. I've done that one twice.
  • Sweettart
    Sweettart Posts: 1,331 Member
    Bump for later
  • jcr85
    jcr85 Posts: 229
    I would drop SLDL its a more advanced lift and unless you know what your doing you have a high risk of injuring your self. I would also add in some core work.
  • aklitten
    aklitten Posts: 237 Member
    bump
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    How about chin-ups and dips?
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I'm trying out a gym for the first time, and want to get into free weights. I've decided on using dumbbells rather than a barbell and am wondering if the moves I've chosen covers all the muscles for a full body session. If not, can you suggest some? Or tell me if I can drop a couple if they're overlapping with others. I've worn out Google with trying to piece together a program to start with. Anyway, here's my list:

    Squats
    Lunges
    Deadlifts
    Stiff leg deadlifts
    bench press
    Military press
    Dumbbell row
    Lat raises

    Thanks in advance!

    First, I would still recommend a Barbell for at least the Deadlifts, Squats, and Bench Press. Dumbells are fine for other exercises and this will give you some variety. Check this out. I would split that into an upper body day and a lower body day that you do twice a week.

    Lower Body Day 1
    A. Barbell Deadlifts: Do sets of 3, increasing the weight 10 lbs each set until the next weight increase would be too much for 3 reps
    B. Lunges: 3 to 4 sets of 8-12 reps
    C. Stiff Legged Deadlifts: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
    **On Lower Body Day 2 replace Deadlifts with Barbell Back Squats

    Upper Body Day 1
    A. Barbell Bench Press: Do sets of 3 reps, increasing the weight 10 lbs each set until the next weight increase would be too much for 3 reps
    B. Dumbell Bench Press: 2sets, find a weight that you can do for a minimum of 10 reps but max out the reps, press until you can't press no more. If you can do more than 10 reps with that weight for the 2nd set, grab the next set of dumbells and rep out again.
    C. Dumbell Rows: 3 to 4 sets of 6 - 10 reps
    D. Military Press OR Lat Raises 4 sets of 8-10 reps
    E. Shoulder Shrugs: Grab that barbell or dumbells and do shrugs. Just up and down, trying to touch your ears with your shoulders, not the circular motion you see some morons doing. 3 to 4 sets of 8-15 reps
    F. Do some curls: 4sets of 8-10 reps
    G: Tricep work with the barbell or dumbells: 3 to 4 sets of 10-15 reps (slow on the downward movement)
  • WifeNMama
    WifeNMama Posts: 2,876 Member
    How about chin-ups and dips?

    I know they're great, but I don't like anything where I'm hanging in the air. I've tried, and I think it would just be an exercise in frustration.


    Jnick- thanks for the detail, gives me a lot to look up and practice form at home to get the hang of it before I go. :-)
  • petchib
    petchib Posts: 15
    I would keep the below exercises.

    Squats
    Deadlifts
    Bench press

    And add -

    Overhead press
    Barbell Row

    All are great full body exercises. If you are just starting out, use dumbells, if you eventually want to go heavy you will have to switch to a barbell.
    Yeah those 3 were my definite keepers.
    May I ask why overhead instead of military press? And aside from the equipment, aren't barbell and dumbbell rows essentially the same?

    Military press is harder as you keep your feet and heels together, while overhead press you keep your heels about shoulder width apart, I would certainly go with overhead press and start with an empty barbell.

    To correctly row and get the best workout for your back you should use a barbell, start with the bar on the floor, pull it hard until it touches your lower chest, then return back to the floor for one rep. It is impossible to work your back properly with the bar hanging in the air which is how most people perform rows. Hope this helps :)