Advice for Weight Lifting Newbies

Some useful info I've picked up as I've gotten into weight lifting.

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• weight
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• health
• beginner
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• dumbell
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• bench

[ExistentialExistent]

Yup, dumbbells are amazing. Do you do concentration curls?

[XOmniverse]

@ExistentialExistent I do standing curls where I use both arms at the same time (with a dumbbell in each hand).

[ChannelMikeG]

You don't even need to spend $400. I've been going the bodyweight route using the books Naked Warrior and Convict Conditioning (probably sounds like a joke if you haven't heard of it) as guides. I do pull-ups and hanging leg raises at a nearby park, and I have been progressively working on one-arm pushups and one-legged squats over the last couple of months. I might try introduce kettlebells at a later point, but it's useful to have exercises like these that you can do almost anywhere.

[XOmniverse]

@ChannelMikeG That sounds kinda neat, though I have to imagine that dumbbells and a bench expand your options significantly and allow you to train more efficiently. Your own body weight isn't adjustable, for example. Once you can do 15 one legged squats, there's no way to increase the weight.

I imagine it could be great info for someone without the money or space for weight equipment though.

[Ronnock]

I don't know if someone has already discussed this point or not (haven't checked and don't really feel like it) but you shouldn't be dissuaded from joining a gym. A gym can be profitable and you can extrapolate different benefits from than weight-lifting at home. 1. The people: Some people can give very valuable advice, assuming they're willing to talk 2. Spotters: When you want to really push yourself, having a spotter is a must. and 3. The diversity of the equipment.

[XOmniverse]

@Ronnock That seems like sound advice. I just hate being around people when I lift. :)

The nice thing about dumbbells is that there is far less of a need for a spotter, since if things really get that bad, you can just drop them to the sides. It'll be loud, of course, but you won't get injured.

[twistedbydsign99]

Id get a pull up bar too :)

[GuitarLegend327]

Get a whey protein and a creatine supplement

[ChannelMikeG]

@XOmniverse These guys are really resourceful with bodyweight exercises :)

watch?v=uLEMqN-Za_U

[ChannelMikeG]

@XOmniverse I've heard several appealing arguments for the incorporation of calisthenics even if you do lift weights. I don't really feel qualified to say a lot about weight lifting since I have very little experience. I've heard several people say that calisthenics have helped with lifting injuries (e.g. like headstand pushups being good for the shoulders). Still you can reach great heights: few can do a one-arm pullup and I've seen videos of people doing weighted pistols (one-leg squats). 

[ChannelMikeG]

@XOmniverse Yeah, you have to be creative with bodyweight exercises to make progressions. That's one advantage of weights; it's easier to adjust and monitor progress. The difference between a regular push-up and a one-arm pushup is huge. One good way is to progress is adjust elevation for instance (e.g. leaning against table counters and moving to stair steps). I think calisthenics offer good compound exercises which I think is good for beginners for overall fitness and means fewer exercises.

[ExistentialExistent]

@XOmniverse ok, I've tried both and both are good. I have been doing bar curls lately.

[UnschoolingEagle]

I was never a fan of machines. I use mainly dumb bells and occasionally use the bar for bench presses.

[FrailHumanCondition]

I use dumbells at home to keep in shape and help with my drumming. this is all very good advice, and I kinda want to pick up that book now!