Weight Lifting

[lifeofblair 308]

So I want to start doing weights at the gym, but have no idea where to start. Anyone know of some good beginner resources? I've been researching online but find 10 different answers. Any help would be great.

[Chrystee 838]

www.bodybuilding.com is a great resource and there are lots of plans on there also. I think its very beneficial to get a personal trainer to help you get correct form, as well.

[lifeofblair 308]

www.bodybuilding.com is a great resource and there are lots of plans on there also. I think its very beneficial to get a personal trainer to help you get correct form, as well.

I've thought about doing a few sessions just to get the basics down then go from there.

[mngreeneyes 674]

Depending on your gym, I believe most places have at least some kind of intro to weightlifting, either one on one or group. I work at a university and workout at the rec center on campus. I just finished my second week of a class called Women and Weights. We get together twice a week for eight weeks. One of the things our trainers have been stressing is that it should be hard, but not to the can't finish your reps and sets heavy.

Good luck!

pam

[jj7481 363]

A personal trainer is a great place to start not only for exercise ideas, but to help nail down proper form.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Form is everything when it comes to weights. Honestly, you get better results with either free weights, or with systems that use your own body weight as resistance. However, "machines" tend to be much clearer on proper form and less risk of injury mistakes due to poor form.

I would like to recommend personal trainers too except i was doing INTENSE exercise and doing awesome, until I decided to hire a personal trainer. 6 weeks later I was injured and needed months and months of rehab due to his inexperience. One of the problems is that because I was so aerobiclly fit (at the time) he felt I wasn't working hard enough and would always feel I wasn't pushing hard enough. I am like - I used to weigh over 300# and have the damaged joints to prove it - so just because i am not red faced and huffing doesn't mean I am not working. As you can tell, i am now jaded on personal training!

I have learned a ton about form from my physical therapist though, and I actually thought I was pretty well educated as I actually took a college class on weight training and have a couple of very good books etc on proper form, but she brought me to the next level.

[TheRealMeIsHere! 863]

A lot of gyms will show you the ropes and set you up with a good starting routine

[gpmed 623]

Ditto that proper form is really important. Several gyms I've joined in the past have offered a few free personal training sessions with new memberships to help show you the ropes.

My current gym offers a resistance training class called BodyPump. It's high rep, low weight and you can start with very low weight and work your way up. I really like it because the instructors give a lot of feedback on proper form so you can be sure you're doing the exercises correctly. I also challenge myself a lot more in a group exercise setting.

Good luck!

[Julie norton 2,850]

I too echo the reply that learning to do machines and weights CORRECTLY can save you much wear and tear years down the road. I found a trainer that was not high cost and split it with a friend. Just straightening out a leg during an exercise, or correct placement of hands and feet can help a lot!

I am thankful to this day... And still work with her to make me try much harder than my own workouts.

Best of luck!

[anaxila 501]

I will echo the advice to start with a personal trainer and/or organized strength classes. Women on Weights programs are good, as is Body Pump. You may not like the first one you try - or may have trouble mastering the moves and changes - but keep trying until you find something you like.

[Chrystee 838]

Form is everything when it comes to weights. Honestly, you get better results with either free weights, or with systems that use your own body weight as resistance. However, "machines" tend to be much clearer on proper form and less risk of injury mistakes due to poor form.

I would like to recommend personal trainers too except i was doing INTENSE exercise and doing awesome, until I decided to hire a personal trainer. 6 weeks later I was injured and needed months and months of rehab due to his inexperience. One of the problems is that because I was so aerobiclly fit (at the time) he felt I wasn't working hard enough and would always feel I wasn't pushing hard enough. I am like - I used to weigh over 300# and have the damaged joints to prove it - so just because i am not red faced and huffing doesn't mean I am not working. As you can tell, i am now jaded on personal training!

I have learned a ton about form from my physical therapist though, and I actually thought I was pretty well educated as I actually took a college class on weight training and have a couple of very good books etc on proper form, but she brought me to the next level.

Agree.. a GOOD personal trainer won't make you move to fast, or do anything that doesn't feel right. Look for someone with credentials..

[BigViffer 3,544]

I'm going to buck the trend here and say avoid the personal trainer. More often than not, in my experience they are teaching either outdated or dangerous exercises. I would seek out a physical therapist, more specifically a sports medicine therapist.

[Addlia 1]

How soon after surgery did y'all start lifting weights?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Chrystee 838]

How soon after surgery did y'all start lifting weights?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I lifted prior to surgery, so around the 3ish week mark, I went back to lighter weights and after 4 weeks I was cleared to lift heavy again.