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Original poster

Do you lift weights? How do you start?

35 replies

OwlInLove · 25/12/2021 22:12

Just that really. How do you actually start to use weights when you are very unfit, 2 stone overweight and basically capable of pulling a muscle just picking up a pencil?

Would appreciate any pointers and if there's anyone out there I can follow to get started

OP posts:

gamerchick · 25/12/2021 22:15

Go to classes with a PT. Classes are cheaper and more fun.

rattlemehearties · 25/12/2021 22:18

Definitely get a programme from a PT - just have one session to get started and a programme, ask them to show you how to do everything and then keep track yourself as you go through it (book in a review at some point!). Nearly all gyms will have all you need to get started.

Viveladifference · 25/12/2021 22:19

Hi, I'm really interested in this too. @gamerchick, what sort of classes? Will the weights be heavy enough to build muscle?

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Exercise & fitness Fitness

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 25/12/2021 22:20

Well the first hurdle is you actually need some weights. Due to practicalities it’s far easier to use those provided in a gym than anything you can get for use at home. Depending on what’s available locally, you will be able to do group classes (eg functional fitness) or get some personal training and combine that with working out on your own (or find a training partner). After that you can also look into doing it for body building/powerlifting/Olympic weightlifting.

rattlemehearties · 25/12/2021 22:20

A programme will be based around each session having 1 "compound" lift (eg squats or deadlifts) and accessory movements. The best thing to do is ask the PT to help you properly master the compound lifts to start off with. There will also be videos and guides online

RAOK · 25/12/2021 22:20

Start with Bodypump classes

StealingYourWiFi · 25/12/2021 22:21

Get a PT. This is the most important thing. Go from there, they may offer a programme for you to follow or you can find so many online. I currently use the Peloton platform for my strength classes.

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 25/12/2021 22:22

You don’t really need heavy weights to build muscle. Just Google callisthenics! Most importantly you need to eat in a calories surplus with enough protein.

BrickingIt44 · 25/12/2021 22:22

If working out in public is a bit daunting to start off with, get some free weights from Argos or wherever and try some YouTube videos. I often use Fitness Blender and Sydney Cummings.

Spectre8 · 25/12/2021 22:22

I went to a kettlebell class learnt all the moves and got myself a kettlebell and home and just do what I learnt.

Super easy and so worth it now im working from home, each time I boil the kettle (takes about 3 ish minutes) I grab my kettlebell do some bicep curls etc, quick workout!

You don't have to go to a class its just something I preferred but its easy to watch youtube videos to show you.

Just do a quick warm up like jog on the spot before doing weights and stretch out after wards whilst your building your routine up but honestly sometimes I don't even do that (oops so naughty and im sure someone will tell me off but its like a 3 min workout hardly going to hurt myself as I am used to it)

nannybeach · 25/12/2021 22:25

I started out going to a gym,with a friend. It was difficult she worked days, me nights. I got Harley Pasternaks 5 days,25 minutes workout. Bought case set of 3 weights. Bench,am disciplined so I will do it. It's been about 15 years now. (I'm 71) use 3kg max, I have tenosynovitis, some times I have to reduce. But it keeps your muscles strong.ive seen films of people starting in their 90s

MorganSeventh · 25/12/2021 22:29

I went to a 'Ladies Lifting' course at a gym, which went on for about 6 weeks. Terrible name but it did what it needed to do which was get me familiar with finding my way around a rack, how to use the clips, lifting technique, what height to set the bars, how to tell a 20k bar from a 15k bar etc. By the end of it I felt confident enough to walk into a weights room by myself, which can be an intimidating place, even for men.

gamerchick · 25/12/2021 22:32

@Viveladifference

Hi, I'm really interested in this too. *@gamerchick*, what sort of classes? Will the weights be heavy enough to build muscle?

You need to see a PT. It's not just about weights, it's about fueling your body properly if you want to build muscle.

Many gyms are holding specials on for the new year. Look at classes that use weights and see where the land lies.

Original poster

OwlInLove · 25/12/2021 22:51

Thanks for the replies

I don't want to join the gym particularly. I've been a member on and off in the past for years and I just don't go to be perfectly honest. Fifty quid a month and it's just wasted

So I think a home work out is where it's at tbh

OP posts:

alfagirl73 · 25/12/2021 22:57

I've got into lifting weights (and overall fitness) the last few months and I strongly recommend some PT sessions if you can afford it - partly so you learn correct form and don't do yourself an injury - but also you can learn how to superset and build up a programme for yourself. Also bodyweight exercises are extremely effective as well as lifting weights.

I really enjoy lifting weights - I'm doing way more than I ever imagined - but I'm soooo glad I got a PT as thinking back, if I'd just done it on my own, I wouldn't have had a clue. I've learned so much.

There are online PT options these days - look around. Or check out one of the online fitness apps - they often have classes from beginner up to more advanced.

SweetsAndChocolates · 25/12/2021 23:13

@OwlInLove this is what worked for me, of course it's always better to go to gym/get PT. However I needed something to do from home as lockdown.

Started lockdown 1, found Sydney Cummings on YouTube and went from there. I already had 2kg (not a lot) dumbbells to start off with. Once I was comfortable went up with the weights. I like her style and how she explains in detail about form/posture, because I need to know which muscles I should be feeling the 'pain' in/which ones should be feeling the stretch and so on.

If following home workout I think it's important to err on the side of caution, so maybe start without weights (to avoid any muscle injury).

Again, this worked for me, but might not be the right thing for anyone else.

gamerchick · 25/12/2021 23:15

@OwlInLove

Thanks for the replies

I don't want to join the gym particularly. I've been a member on and off in the past for years and I just don't go to be perfectly honest. Fifty quid a month and it's just wasted

So I think a home work out is where it's at tbh

You don't need to join a gym. I pay a fiver a class if I fancy one. You just need to find an independent gym rather than a chain.

There are online training videos online to teach you the moves if you want to get some kit in at home though.

Fastforwardtospring · 25/12/2021 23:16

Body Pump, Les mills do on line now if you don’t want the gym. Best results I’ve ever had from working out are from body pump.

gamerchick · 25/12/2021 23:17

It's so important that you lean how to do each move without injuring yourself though.

MorganSeventh · 25/12/2021 23:19

If you don't want to go to a gym then you don't want to lift heavy. That's not a judgement but realistically, you need the proper equipment, which is expensive, and proper set ups, like floors which can withstand dropping the weights, which is difficult to get at home. You would likely instead be using something like kettlebells, but its still worth getting professional one to one tuition imo, for any use of free weights. Without proper technique it is all too easy to permanently injure yourself and videos don't really cut it because they rely on you realising you're making a mistake before you can correct your technique.

LSLLM · 25/12/2021 23:21

I never had a clue until I got a PT. I agree it’s important to learn technique and have someone correct you before going off on your own.

ghostmouse · 25/12/2021 23:33

Im like the op don’t want to join the gym, can’t afford one and definitely can’t afford a pt trainer. Just goes to show you need to have money to be able to exercise properly.

I was looking at some small weights and online tutorials for now until I can afford classes, sounds like I shouldn’t bother.

I don’t particularly want to lift big weights and have huge muscles, I just want to increase my strength and tone a little bit with small weights and kettle bells etc. can this be done on line for now?

MorganSeventh · 25/12/2021 23:45

It can be done @ghostmouse but you risk injuring yourself. All other things being equal, the lighter the weights you use the less likely you are to cause yourself injury. Equally, however, the lighter the weights you use, the less effect they will have on your overall fitness.

That's not to suggest that all, or even the majority of people who use free weights without tuition will be injured as a result. But most people who lift weights will tell you, injury due to poor technique is a significant risk. Probably more so for weights than most other forms of exercise.

alfagirl73 · 26/12/2021 00:32

Obviously people have to do what feels right for them, but I will say that I am now lifting weights much heavier than I thought I ever could (or would need/want to) - and it's not giving me big muscles - it's about developing control, overall strength, posture, engaging the correct muscle group etc... I'm getting more toned - but honestly the lighter weights I started with myself - I hardly use them now. I've learned SO much from my PT about how to use weights effectively to build up core strength, endurance, where to drive the power from... it's about engaging the whole body in the correct way.

Taytotots · 26/12/2021 01:59

Try Caroline Girvan on youtube. She has a beginner's course (beginner's epic) and gives advice on form. Agree good to get in person advice if possible but not all can afford this.

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