Suggestions for lifting?

[Sweet_Bitch]

My typical gym routine is 20-30 minutes of cardio followed by lifting. I have no real plan when I go to lift. It's kind of random. I try to do legs one day and upper body the next. I need some suggestions on some routines. My two major concerns are my legs and my arms. I only go to the gym 3-4 days a week. Here's the parameters:

1) Free weights and I aren't getting along just yet. I'm so out of shape that I can't work evenly w/ free weights. I need to build up a little more before I tackle those. (This is what my former trainer told me.)

2) I don't know what half of the machines/exercise are that you guys talk about Sorry, my gym lingo is way out of date!! So I need small words and short sentences. Pictures would be good too

3) Since I'm fat, I'm pretty wiped out after cardio. (I go pretty hard at this-usually HIIT.) Therefore, any routine that requires more then about 30-45 minutes of lifting is going to kill me. Really

Can anyone help me out here? I'd like to look like I know what I'm doing when I'm in the gym. Looking stupid doesn't do real well for me!! I read Scorpio's log and her workouts look good, but like I said-I don't know what most of that stuff is I'd really appreciate the help!!

 

[Miss24k]

Do your cardio after you lift weights or in the morning. For some workots check the Shadow's project thread (it's a sticky), lots of great workouts in there.

 

[jenscats5]

Do your cardio after you lift weights or in the morning. For some workots check the Shadow's project thread (it's a sticky), lots of great workouts in there.

Yep! And they change every week or so to keep it interesting!

 

[Sassy69]

The Shadow's Project sticky was pulled but linked via the other threads up there.

Here's the link: http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369796

For some of the exercises that you don't know what they are, there are some great websites, but the only one I can think of right now is www.exrx.net. Click on Weight Training and then Muscles / Exercise and then look for the muscle group that you are interested in.

If you have any questions about anything, start at the "Are you new to EF Ladies Board' sticky and look thru the amazing list of stuff Daisy_Girl put together w/ all the TOP THREADS-MUST READ sticky.

 

[Gymgurl]

I don't see why you can't use free weights....but stick to using just the bars and the low weights....no reason I can think of why you can't........

 

[skittles]

Sweet Bitch

check your pm's

 

[Roonytunes]

I like this particular site and you may find it helpful too. Check out:

http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html

There are sample workout routines as well as tons of other info on training.