Newbie got weights...where do I start?

[we5happy]

Hey guys,

I've decided to start lifting, but again I am clueless. I got a new bench, barbell, and dumbbells and am raring to go. I just don't know where I'm going.

When I first posted my diet dilemma (new to everything and trying to loose weight)...everyone was very helpful. Can anyone tell me exactly what to do? Spatterson, you gave me an outline of a routine- Monday through Saturday. Is this a beginner thing? Are there some specifics you can give me...Like how many sets and reps of the muscles you've outlined?

Am I suppose to be really struggling at the end of each set for weight loss or should I be doing more sets of less reps and working hard but not ripping? I don't know. The conflicting information is hard to work with when talking to the inexperienced....

My goal is to loose weight (inches really, don't care for what the scale says...I want to fit into my jeans) and be tight all over. Thanks to all the previous advice I know I wont get big but I'm still a little nervous about it because I really have no idea what I'm doing.

Any advice would be a blessing.

PS. Please don't use to many Greek words...I don't know much of the lingo yet.

Thanks
We

 

[nikkita]

... an observation I've made about newbies is the need for learning how to lift weights (dumbells, bars, etc.) correctly. This means that with each exercise you must focus on working exactly the muscle you're aiming.... let me explain when lifting a weight you perform the positive phase of an exercise; when you lower the weight, extending the working muscle, you perform negative movement. Get full benefit of your exercises by concentrating not only on positives, try always lower the weights slowly and under control, rather than letting gravity take them down.

Besides that, and quoting Spats "don't be afraid to challenge yourself" and after training don't forget "eat/rest/grow"

 

[we5happy]

Getting there...

Ok. So I should start with 3 sets of how many reps? 15? The weight is whatever I can handle trying to reach what I can each set. Obviously the 3rd set will be much less than what the 1st set was. Right?

Nikkita, thanks for the Positive and Negative explanation. I have heard that terminology alot and was quite confused.

So when you say work three muscles per body part...do you mean for legs I would do maybe toe-raises for calves, squats for hamstrings, and lunges for quads? Is that what you mean?

I know I'm needy but could you give me what exercises to do for each muscle you've recommended? The split you gave is great except I don't know how to work each muscle. (I just figured out what all the muscles are )

Anyway check back in a bit...(I'm at work )
Chow
We

 

[makedah]

we5 -- have you been to www.stumptuous.com/weights.html yet? If not, GO!!!! They have sample routines for beginners and pics of many exercises. The WHOLE SITE is worth reading. But to answer your specific questions, go to the "workouts" link.

 

[we5happy]

Holy Moly!

3 per muscle...I cant even think of three exercises that would work my calves!

You sound a little annoyed but like I said I really dont know anything. I checked out the "all barbbells all the time" routine on the stumptuous site that Makedah pointed out. What do you think of that routine for beginners? It says its great for beginners and people with limited equipment. I only have the Dumbbells and Barbell and Bench. I also have a stationary bike but that is it. I printed it out along with all the directions for each exercise and I have my boyfriend to help with form.

Im starting to get really frustrated and upset.

We.

 

[alexsmom]

Spatts....when you say "PL" do you mean "power lifting"? Sorry...wasn't quite sure.

 

[wannabeBB]

I have the Body for life book and at the end it tells which exercises to do for different muscles. It also tell how to do them. I use this as a reference book(great for beginners). You should check your library to see if they have it or something similar.

 

[Gingerly]

Re: Holy Moly!

3 per muscle...I cant even think of three exercises that would work my calves!

We, you can find exercises for many body parts at ExRx.Net's Muscle Directory. Click on the muscle, then pick the equipment.

Ging

 

[Arioch]

Well, I am rather obviously not Spatts, but yes, that is what she means.

OL = Olympic weightlifting: Competition in which the total of the athlete's best attempt out of three in both snatch and clean and jerk are total to determine the winner within each respective weight class.

In case you were wondering.

 

[alexsmom]

Well, I am rather obviously not Spatts, but yes, that is what she means.

OL = Olympic weightlifting: Competition in which the total of the athlete's best attempt out of three in both snatch and clean and jerk are total to determine the winner within each respective weight class.

In case you were wondering.

Yes I was...and thank you!