Do you lift weights? How do you start?

[OwlInLove]

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

Don’t be put off, you don’t need a PT and don’t have to set foot in a gym.

I don’t ‘lift weights’ but I do incorporate hand weights into my exercise. I don’t go to a gym. I own 2 sets of weights, 2kg and 5 kg. I started out with holding bottles of water before I bought the lighter weights and then later on I bought the heavier ones - so no initial expensive outlay.

I like the free You Tube channel Nourish Move Love. There is a range of workouts, some with weights, some without. I personally follow an NML video 2-3 times a week (I run on other days). I suggest starting with bottles of water and if you like it you can then invest in light weights. Over the past 18 months my body is significantly more muscular and toned, it has coast practically nothing and fit round my timetable.

Look up CDornerfitness on YouTube. She does weights/strength classes (and cardio) - some full body and some targeted upper/lower body- and you could start with small 1kg weights and work your way up as and when it starts feeling easier

I'd recommend a PT but ....... if money and time is an issue I used Sydney Cummings on YouTube throughout all lockdowns with good results. Her workouts are free and pretty effective - still use her on the days I can't gym

I got some small dumbells and resistance bands and gradually bought heavier as lockdowns went on ...... went back to the gym when they reopened and was at a similar point to when they shut.

I bought 2 4kgs dumbbells from Amazon and follow a 20 minute YouTube routine 3 x a week.

My top tip would be to leave the weights out somewhere you will fall over them, so you don't forget about them.

I'm the same OP.
I have two young children, I'm as weak as a chicken and I just don't know where to start! I have zero muscle and loads of fat :(

Also 2 stone to lose! Following with interest and support!

Les Mills on demand have a free trial period and there are demo videos for body pump on how to do the moves. Start with some light weights at home (probably 1kg 2kg and 3kg) and build up from there.

Start small and build up the reps and weights when they start to feel easy. I actually wouldn’t recommend body pump if you don’t know what you’re doing. I lift weights a lot in the gym and found it difficult to know what weights to use as it’s low weight and high rep, whereas I’d do higher weights and lower reps. I also find most class instructors don’t focus on technique and then tend to teach from the front of the class rather than going round the room to correct technique. I’d get some PT sessions, learn a range of moves and then build your own workouts- it’s easy enough to pick 3 exercises, do 3 sets of 10 reps of each, then another 3 exercises for the same and that’s a decent weights session to do a couple of times a week.

18 months ago this was a 3 stone heavier me. Weights are the best thing I've ever done. My body is unrecognisable now.

I started with 3kg dumbbells from Aldi. They don't have to be heavy - even now I only use 5kg at the most. The muscle and strength website has various simple to follow dumbbell routines with videos to show you the exercises. Focus on your form and making sure you are doing them correctly - this is so important to avoid injury.

Get Beachbody on Demand (I have it as an app and it is on my phone and smart tv) and I do the classes on there. My favourite is LIIFT4. It spends a lot of time talking about form and it’s useful to have a mirror so you can ensure your posture etc is correct.

It’s 35ish minutes four times a week. Really good fun and you’ll see a difference quickly.

Ghostmouse,you don't have to spend a lot of money. I originally started off doing individual classes at local authority owned gym
No monthly fees. The trainer was horrible. I had a frozen shoulder, during one weights session she called out "you there"loudly remarking on the right arm.said it was because of the frozen shoulder. She said I should have gone and spoke to her before the class,I did!! I never returned. I started out,water bottles, food tins"Mr Motivator" after a night shift. Then weights,bench,from Argos. They sat in the small spare bedroom when the DGKs were small
Now summer house,but shed, garage,hall will do. Last year Jo Wicks as the cardio warm up,HIT,Tracey Anderson, treated myself to a folding FBike a stepper and resistance bands.As long as you follow techniques shown properly,you will be fine. You find all these things on FB charity shops, Freecycle and similar sites. Watch Michael Mosleys,diet/fitness regimes,you don't have to have heavier weights for better effect,you can use your own body as it's own resistance. When I worked a night shift, while sitting doing paperwork,I would be excercising the opposite arm/leg.