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Original poster

How to start lifting weights safely at home in my fifties

28 replies

cheezncrackers · 08/07/2026 16:19

I really want to get into lifting weights, but I don't really know where to start or what I should be doing. I've seen Caroline Girvan recommended many times and we have a home gym with weights already in it (thanks DH and DSs!), so I'm ready to go, but I just feel like I don't know what exercises to do, how I figure out what weight I should start with, and I guess just how to get started and how to avoid injury.

I'm 52, I run, size 10-12, I have a healthy BMI (22.7), but I'm soft and podgy and not very strong and I would like to tone everything up, get stronger and improve my posture and core strength.

Can anyone give me any advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
cheezncrackers · 08/07/2026 16:23

BIWI · 08/07/2026 16:21

Do you belong to a gym? If you do, I'd book a session (or two) with one of the trainers and get them to show you what to do, as well as them making sure that your form is good.

No and I don't want to join one. I've been a member of gyms before and a) they stink and b) I have a gym at home, so I want to use that. Plus, I've worked with PTs before and it's not an experience I enjoy. We have mirrors in our home gym and I'm perfectly capable of checking my form, as long as the person doing the online workout points it out.

OP posts:
EmpressaurusKitty · 08/07/2026 16:23

I was going to say trainer too. I’m guessing you don’t belong to a gym, but ask around for recommendations.

BIWI · 08/07/2026 16:21

Do you belong to a gym? If you do, I'd book a session (or two) with one of the trainers and get them to show you what to do, as well as them making sure that your form is good.