Newbie Workout

[Texastyle]

I've always been a runner but I've decided to try lifting weights. I was wondering if you forum gurus have any insight into getting started into doing exercises for someone who has literally zero experience. I'm in fairly good shape (180 lbs 6'1) but I'm not as strong as I'd like and I would like to have better overall health that can't really be achieved through just running. I have an embarrassingly low bench press max of 160 lbs so I have some work cut out for me.

So the questions are basically..

1. Do you have any tips for workouts that can be done from home with a bench and weights, free weights, jump ropes, etc?
2. Are there any websites that you guys have tried that have been helpful in getting started?
3. Is it reasonable to expect to see some results in 2-3 months?
4. I've always had a tough time with sit ups. I can get to about 100 or so and then my lower back feels like it is on fire. Is there a technique that can help with this?

Thanks and sorry if this has been covered somewhere else. If I'm just being dumb and somehow missed something obvious on google then feel free to call me a noob and link me.

 

[jarude]

what are your goals? is this just to supplement your running or are you shifting gears altogether?

1. what equipment do you have? olympic bar or spinlock? how much poundage in weights? dumbbell handles? most programs and all beginner programs are built around the "big lifts" which are squatting, deadlifting and bench pressing. sounds like you're good for deadlifting and benching, but you might be out of luck with squatting. if youre serious, try to get access to a squat rack; with that being said, do the best you can with what you have.
2. www.ironaddicts.com is a good resource - the "simple power based routine" you will find on there is a great starting program
3. yes, depends on what you mean by results though
4. dont worry about it, situps suck, you'll find better ab exercises

 

[Nicola]



olympic bar or spinlock?

Eh? Oly bars can have different locks and still be Olympic bars. Standard bars come with different locks to. It's the size of the bar 50mm that's the big difference.

OP from your posting about bench and situps I'm guessing you're stuck in the beach body mindset. You need to start by getting over that.

1) It tends to be unbalanced. In extreme cases you can actually hurt yourself.

2) It ignores the vast majority of your body.

A powerrack will let you bench press and squat with relative safety at home.

In addition to deadlifts,squating and bench press. Row and military press. pullups and dips.

 

[Texastyle]



Eh? Oly bars can have different locks and still be Olympic bars. Standard bars come with different locks to. It's the size of the bar 50mm that's the big difference.
OP from your posting about bench and situps I'm guessing you're stuck in the beach body mindset. You need to start by getting over that.
1) It tends to be unbalanced. In extreme cases you can actually hurt yourself.
2) It ignores the vast majority of your body.
A powerrack will let you bench press and squat with relative safety at home.
In addition to deadlifts,squating and bench press. Row and military press. pullups and dips.

I guess it does come across as the beach body mindset, but it's more of me being stuck at home for the summer with some time to kill. I'm in grad school and have let my health kind of take a back seat lately so I'd really like to just use this summer as a spring board for getting into shape. As for the bars, I think that they are olympic bars. Thanks for the tips so far guys!