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Beginning Lifting

post #1 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
So...I've decided I ought to start working out some. There is a YMCA a few blocks from my house, and I think I should be able to commit to a couple hours a week. The problem is I have no idea where to start. I've never even been in a gym in my life. I've never played sports, except for pickup basketball, touch football and stuff like that.


I'm 19 and really skinny, 125-130 pounds or so, and about 5'10". I don't want to be huge, but I would like to get a bit bigger.


Any ideas of where to start? Or does anyone know of any good websites that would help?
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post #2 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:25pm
Try to google around for the Rippetoe routine, seems to be the best place for a beginner to start.
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post #3 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:26pm
at 5'10 and 130lb, i wouldnt worry about getting huge. spend a year doing:

pullups
squats
deadlifts
dips
bench press
close-grip bench press
military press
lunges
some barbell curls

do upper body twice a week and lower twice and mix up the lifts.
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post #4 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:26pm
I'd recommend you do push ups, pull ups, walking lunges and crunches for a couple weeks (1-2 sets of each, every other day). This will also give you some time to do some research online and/or read the extensive amount of literature this thread is likely to generate. Proceed gentlemen. . . .
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post #5 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:39pm
I've used Starting Strength to some success. It makes for short workouts too. Check google.
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post #6 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thekunk07 View Post
at 5'10 and 130lb, i wouldnt worry about getting huge. spend a year doing:

pullups
squats
deadlifts
dips
bench press
close-grip bench press
military press
lunges
some barbell curls

do upper body twice a week and lower twice and mix up the lifts.

You forgot the standard "Eat everything that doesn't move. If it moves, kill it and eat it."
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post #7 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:52pm
My advice to everyone who just starts to work out is to start low on everything. You get your most gain on the way up and if you lift a lot of weight it is easy too be discouraged. If you start light you make immediate gains which is encouraging, you have an easier time doing proper form and you do not feel weak or just quit.

I think a good rule of thumb, and the kunk will correct me if I am wrong I hope, is to workout the biggest muscle to the smallest in a muscle group.

Example would be to do bench press first, incline bench, fly's and then move to your arms (Biceps or triceps, whatever you are doing).
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post #8 of 56
12/18/08 at 6:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverback View Post
I think a good rule of thumb, and the kunk will correct me if I am wrong I hope, is to workout the biggest muscle to the smallest in a muscle group.

Example would be to do bench press first, incline bench, fly's and then move to your arms (Biceps or triceps, whatever you are doing).

Kunk's advice is better. You want to do big, basic compound movements first if you want to put on some mass and then focus on fine-tuning after (if at all).
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post #9 of 56
12/18/08 at 7:01pm
I also suggest working with a personal trainer so that they can help you our with showing you exercises, proper form, etc...
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post #10 of 56
12/18/08 at 7:02pm
yes, when you get to that point of doing isolation too, i agree. but no isolation for him yet.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverback View Post
My advice to everyone who just starts to work out is to start low on everything. You get your most gain on the way up and if you lift a lot of weight it is easy too be discouraged. If you start light you make immediate gains which is encouraging, you have an easier time doing proper form and you do not feel weak or just quit.

I think a good rule of thumb, and the kunk will correct me if I am wrong I hope, is to workout the biggest muscle to the smallest in a muscle group.

Example would be to do bench press first, incline bench, fly's and then move to your arms (Biceps or triceps, whatever you are doing).
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post #11 of 56
12/18/08 at 7:03pm
no offense, but most of them will show you none of these things.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis91 View Post
I also suggest working with a personal trainer so that they can help you our with showing you exercises, proper form, etc...
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post #12 of 56
12/18/08 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thekunk07 View Post
no offense, but most of them will show you none of these things.

None taken. I guess it depends on the gym and reputation of their trainers. I have seen some that really are helpful and some that just don't give a fuck.
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post #13 of 56
12/18/08 at 7:43pm
Starting Strength.
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post #14 of 56
12/18/08 at 7:55pm
I did really well with "getting stronger" by Dave? Pearl - positve about the name ofthe book, pretty sure about the name fo the author. find a gym where people really lift weights, not where people go to flirt
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post #15 of 56
12/18/08 at 9:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thekunk07 View Post
at 5'10 and 130lb, i wouldnt worry about getting huge. spend a year doing:

pullups
squats
deadlifts
dips
bench press
close-grip bench press
military press
lunges
some barbell curls

do upper body twice a week and lower twice and mix up the lifts.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis91 View Post
I also suggest working with a personal trainer so that they can help you our with showing you exercises, proper form, etc...

Quote:
Originally Posted by thekunk07 View Post
no offense, but most of them will show you none of these things.


Where is a good place to learn the exercises? Any good websites? I don't know what most of those are.
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