Weight Lifting

[NeverLetGo]

So I am what you would call a "gym virgin" until today. I wanna start lifting weights and stuff but don't know where to start... Any suggestions?

[Kaius]

Start gently, don't bite off more than you can chew. Start with some small, light dumbbells and slowly work it up when you feel as though you can. Don't start off heavy or you'll more than likely end up with a muscle strain. Start with an easy number, say 10 on each arm and then take a small break. Then after a few days/a week build it up to 20, then 30 and so on. increasing the weight when you feel you can. Only you can tell when you're able to increase them.

[Stevo 69]

Start small and build up, you'll probably see alot of people lifting hudge weights, either they are plain stupid or they built their strenght which is what you MUST do.

Don't start off big, you'll end up pulling a muscle and not being able to lift anything for weeks.

[CaptainObvious]

I'm a fan of Rippetoe's program for novice weightlifters. Learning the big compound motions first is a very useful basis for further development in strength training.

There is a book (http://aasgaardco.com/store/store.php?crn=199&rn=312&action=show_detail), and the program is also available in various places on the Internet, like here (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=998224).

Basically, it's a barbell training program that emphasizes the extremely effective large compound lifts - bench press, squat, deadlift, etc. Highly recommended by many knowledgeable people.

[Ruination]

check out scooby on youtube.. most of what he says is accurate. He's pretty much a fitness freak but does have some informative videos for beginners.

[dmeek7]

also you have to have the drive to weight lift. you cant just say to yourself you wanna weight lift. it's a constant thing. it requires repetitiveness, and you must be self disiplined. one way to keep yourself psyched to lift, is to find a picture of a person you wanna look like and think about getting there.