How do I start lifting?

recon_johnny · 2017-09-21T19:27:10+00:00

Look dude. I've read a few of your responses. You've made excuses as to why you can't do this--expensive, places don't open early, you don't know what to do; etc.

First thing: Take some fucking responsibility. Youtube has Goddamn everything you want to know, in a how-to format. Go buy a used bench and some plates/barbell/dumbbells.

Basic lifts with dumbbell/barbells:

Bench, Military Press, Bent-over row, Squat, calf raise, bicep curl, tricep raise. I'd add forearm curls, because most likely your arms are for shit.

Do that Every Other Day. Entire workout will take maybe an hour. After 2 months, you can branch out to other workouts.

You don't need machines, nor a gym.

Get off your ass.

matrixtospartanatLV · 2017-09-21T17:51:13+00:00

How old are you?

Can't afford a personal trainer in your country? I get it.

It doesn't matter where you start. It doesn't matter how silly you look. It doesn't matter if you hear someone chuckle.

What DOES matter is that you learn proper form, which you can do with a video and a mirror, and you progress every day. 1 more rep, 1 more kg, 1 more %. Something.

And don't get excited and hurt yourself. Listen to your body. Learn the difference between soreness and injury.

You know how to use Reddit.

Go to r/exercise, r/lifting, r/bodyweight, or others.

There are as many ways to do this as there are people that do it.

What will work for you is what you commit to and actually DO.

The best workout routine in the world, scientifically engineered to your body and blood work, that you would spend $1,000s on, is not worth a shit in the toilet if you don't fucking DO it.

Do some homework, read, educate yourself, and

Get to work.

Consistency is the key to success.

Diet is very important. If you are a fat fuck you have to clean up your diet to lose weight. If you are skinny-fat then you need to eat to build muscle.

READ. Figure it out

captain_my_captain22 · 2017-09-21T17:33:05+00:00

I had lots of success with Rippatoe's Starting Strength program.

CapNGrind · 2017-09-22T00:11:37+00:00

Go to the bodyweightfitness fitness sub and do the recommended routine. There are progressions so that you start out at whatever level works for you and build your way up, even if you can't do two push-ups in a row. It's tailor-made for your ass.

Also, quit with the fucking excuses.

Edit: Nevermind faggot: https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/comments/4vtkp0/afraid_to_gain_muscle/?st=J7USFZ1L&sh=81ffa1ae

A fucking year ago you were on that shit posting this:

I came to this subreddit because I needed to lose (much) weight. I am now 6 feet 115⁄64 inch (186 cm) and weigh 168 lbs (76 kg). But I am afraid of eating more (which I obviously need to gain muscle) because I am afraid to gain (the bad kind of) weight again.... Can someone explain me how to correctly eat to gain muscle (and not just weight...)?

Shut the fuck up. Literally. Don't say a fucking word. Don't type anything, don't say anything, don't make a fucking noise. Go do two push-ups. If you can't do two push-ups, then do them off of your knees. Stop making stupid little pussy sorry-ass excuses to your fucking self. Look for an excuse to do the shit instead of looking for excuses not to.

Also PM me dick pics since you must have a really long dick to keep fucking yourself like this over and over.

TIME TO GET YOU SOME FUCKING GAINS BRO

Also were you fat before? How much weight did you lose?

redwall92 · 2017-09-21T17:00:48+00:00

Stronglifts 5x5

You can squat just the 45lb bar. You can probably bench just the 45lb bar.

Download the app. Read the website a lot on form.

Then go to the gym.

justpickanyusername · 2017-09-21T17:25:57+00:00

Personal trainer is best.

If you can't afford one then use Youtube. Work out in front of a mirror and don't fool yourself into thinking you are doing it right. Do it right and follow a program.

The only real way to learn is just by doing it too. The first 90 days will be the roughest and the first two weeks you will be sore as hell.

Don't worry about anyone else in the gym. There are all kinds of shapes and sizes in the one I go to. If you are even in there at 5AM in the morning and not sleeping I have some respect for you. We all started somewhere.

discobolus_ · 2017-09-22T08:32:54+00:00

Are you so fat you can't do 2 push ups? Or so skinny and weak that you can't do 2 push ups?

TrenGod37 · 2017-09-22T05:27:45+00:00

You pick things up. And put them down

470_2_700_nm · 2017-09-21T17:04:30+00:00

If you are that lost, hire a personal trainer.

FF0000_captain · 2017-09-21T17:16:24+00:00

Most gyms offer a free personal trainer session when you sign up for a membership. Do that, and tell the trainer you want to focus on compound lifts to build muscle. Have them show you proper form, starting with however much weigh you can handle. Use those weights when you begin the 5x5 routine.

Also, if you can only do 2 push ups today...fine. But do them. Several times a day, every single day. Aim for three push ups in a row. When you hit 3, aim for 5. When you hit 5, aim for ten. Dont make excuses not to do them just because you can't put up big numbers. We all have to start somewhere.

Aaren_Augustine · 2017-09-21T17:40:19+00:00

In the beginning, I watched Alan Thrall videos on squats, deadlifts, overhead press bent rows, and bench. For hours before ever performing with weight. He explains lifting in a way that is easy to understand.

Also stomach vacuums. Equally important.

fx20greg · 2017-09-21T17:50:08+00:00

Get in the gym and without being a creeper, watch what others do. When they finish on the piece of equipment they were on, go do what you learned. Not a bad idea to just introduce yourself and ask someone to point you in the right direction, be honest and tell them your brand new. Everyone was in the gym for their first time once and many will be willing to help you get started.

comptorn · 2017-09-21T17:53:52+00:00

I would spend 3 months doing Starting Strength, focus on form (watch Rip's youtube videos) and see how you feel and adjust from there. 5x5 is a lot of volume for a rank novice.

slurmfactory · 2017-09-21T17:59:30+00:00

powerlift. 4 main powerlifting exercises are squats, deadlifts, bench press, and shoulder press. Work out for 90minutes including doing cardio. Learn about powerlifting and use it, do low-weight high-rep exercises at first. Push yourself hard, get lots of sleep, eat right, drink lots of water, look into different supplements. Once you build up your endurance you can switch it up, do low-rep, high-weight exercises. Workout your whole body, legs, back, core, chest, arms.

redsprinklersystem · 2017-09-21T18:11:59+00:00

Its been covered already but I have to concur. Watch the stronglifts videos (and all of the others mentioned) on youtube. You'll learn enough to get by in the main lifts. Also look for things like '10 mistakes to avoid with [whichever] lift' and learn what to avoid.

Lifting is the single best thing I ever did for myself. Getting fit and strong is great but remember that its also a metaphor for life. You must constantly challenge yourself in order to grow. When it feels shitty is when you need it most. Stick with the program and get a little better every day.

Bencousinwater · 2017-09-21T18:27:48+00:00

Come on dude. You one year ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/comments/4vtkp0/afraid_to_gain_muscle/?st=J7USFZ1L&sh=81ffa1ae

It's not too hard. Just start. Something is better than nothing. You could start with calisthenics/body weight. Buy a few sets of modest Dumbbells. You can do a lot with a set of Dumbbells.

I'd recommend StrongLifts. It's simple and there are lots of videos on YouTube that can guide you.

You need to eat too. I know from your post you are scared of getting fat again. You won't unless you go out of control. You sound as if you are skinny-fat. Up your protein intake -whey, Greek yoghurt, lean meats- and lift. Remember that a consistent program or schedule will do a lot for you...don't waste your time searching for the perfect program or workout. Just get in the gym often.

And enjoy the newbie gains. They only happen once.

BigB1901 · 2017-09-21T19:11:42+00:00

YouTube examples, little or no weight to ensure good forum and in a few weeks you will feel confident to start upping the weight.

trp_ocd · 2017-09-21T20:37:48+00:00

Pushups

Squats

Jumping Jacks

Planks

All sorts of no weight exercises the prisoners use in max sec. No excuses.

chachaChad · 2017-09-21T20:58:39+00:00

You keep asking yourself that question. Every time you ask it and you come up with a reason why you can't (don't have the money, time, knowledge) you stand up to that reason and you knock it down and come up with an answer. Ask that question to yourself every moment of every day until you walk into a gym and you lift something.

You'll feel dumb. You won't be dressed right. You'll be afraid of the other people there. You'll be embarrassed. So what? Find a way.

It took me over a month of asking myself how do I start lifting. I didn't have time. Didn't have the money. Didn't know where to start. I read this forum. I searched the internet. Then one day I did it. Then I did again it. I did it again and again and again. I've only been going 4 months but there is a reason Rule #1 is lift and has NOTHING to do with pussy. It's all about you.

Things have blown up on my end here and shit is out of control. I haven't been to gym in a week. I'm coming out of my shell shock and I can't go back to the routine I had before so I'm walking around all day figuring "How do I start lifting now that the world has gone sideways?". I'm still fighting with myself but I'll be damned if anything can keep me from the gym.

BobbyPeru · 2017-09-21T21:01:33+00:00

When I started lifting 30 years ago, I read weightlifting books to learn.

But nowadays they have this thing called the Internet that I hear might be even better.

BluepillProfessor · 2017-09-22T15:41:39+00:00

Hire a personal trainer and spend some time in /r/fitness.

Red_Kryptonite88 · 2017-09-22T16:46:19+00:00

I was the same way. I started with plank (lasted 20 sec). Next day I pushed to last longer, made it's to 30 seconds. JUST START!!! If you only get one clean push-up, awesome try for one and half tomorrow. Just fucking start!

trpbritguy · 2017-09-25T08:28:55+00:00

If you can only do 2 pushups then only do 2... Until you can do 3 and so on and so fourth!!

No money for gym or trainer, one gallon milk jugs filled with water will be more than enough for a few months if you are as weak as you say!

Nucka574 · 2017-09-21T17:08:34+00:00

Download Stronglifts 5x5 app on your phone, set the app up, go here https://stronglifts.com/5x5/ and watch videos on form, sign up for a gym membership, get to work.

Title	How do I start lifting?
Author	[deleted]
Upvotes	2
Comments	41
Date	September 21, 2017 4:56 PM UTC (8 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askMRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/askMRP/comments/71khsd/how_do_i_start_lifting/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askMRP/how-do-i-start-lifting.205401 https://theredarchive.com/post/205401

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