New to this!

ben2k9

Hi guys,

I'm 15 years old and I'm looking for some advice on weight training and ab workouts.

I'm:
5.6
Roughly 8-9 Stone

I want to do do abit of weights to strengthin up my arms abit aswell as getting some abs.

My plan was to:
Cut out sugary drinks and only drink water throughout the day.
...and basically thats all!lol

I was going by this plan:
1 - a bench from argos for doing situps and lifting wieghts
2 - a set of vinyl weights barbell/dumbbell set
all of which would be around 115 euro

Now the guide I want to go by is http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Six-Pack-Abs as I dont want an extreme workout everyday I just want toned nice abs with a bita mucsle on my arms lol

Workout:
Follow the guide and maybe add the addition of doing a few excercises up and down the stairs aswell as a warm up!

So what you guys think?

rubadub

I wouldnt bother with that guide. Have a look at www.exrx.net best site I have seen. And read the sticky links at the top of this forum.

Cut out sugary drinks and only drink water throughout the day.
...and basically thats all!lol

Hope you plan on eating! again the sticky links will help. Aim for 6 meals a day, and get protein in with each.

I was going by this plan:
1 - a bench from argos for doing situps and lifting wieghts
2 - a set of vinyl weights barbell/dumbbell set
all of which would be around 115 euro

I would strongly advise against vinyl weights, they degrade quickly, they are bulky and the bars are usually hollow and are not rated to much, i.e. they bend. If you are on a bidget get this set.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3008250/Trail/searchtext%3E50KG.htm
I would get a chinup bar in argos too. I would not get a bench on that budget, it will be rickety and you will outgrow it, i.e it will not be rated to high weights. To work your chest you can do pushups and dips between 2 chairs. Or look around your area, I do dips on railings which meet at right angles. You might find a place to do chinups/pullups too.

I give tips on making a chinup bar with the hole in your attic here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055404170

Also check this site for making stuff http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/shenandoah/Grunt/grunt.html

If you were to make 2 things I would recommend a chinup bar, and gymnastic rings.

Also check www.simplefit.org this site has lots of bodyweight exersices you can begin with, I think all they ask for is a chinup bar.

Do not forget your legs either. Doing front & back squats and deadlifts will build muscle all over, and do a LOT more for your abs than endless situps. You can also do leg raises on the chinup bar for your abs.

ben2k9

Woaah:eek:

This is all confusing me, I didn't know it was this complicated!

I just need to know how to and what to get to build up my arms, abs and like you said maybe my legs?

Brian?

ben2k9 wrote: »

Woaah:eek:

This is all confusing me, I didn't know it was this complicated!

I just need to know how to and what to get to build up my arms, abs and like you said maybe my legs?

Read Rubabdubs advice repeatedly . Its extremely good. Eat healthy, but eat well, don't starve yourself.

Chinups will build your arms(biceps) and back, dips will build your chest and arms(triceps). You can dumbell squat to build your legs. Don't get too caught up on crunching as a way of getting a six pack, thats more about have low body fat % than building muscle.

All the excercises you'll probably ever need are here:

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

Good luck

ben2k9

Ait:D

So am I right in saying I should get: (from argos)
20 kg York chrome dumbell set, 50 yoyos
Golds Gym chin up, sit up and push up set. 30 yoyos

Cpaw

Your too young kiddo.

ben2k9

Really?:O I read up on it and most sites were saying 14 and that stunting is a myth that it actualy encourages growth?!

WolfForager

At the age of 15 i only see yourself doing yourself injury, i'm 17 and the guys at the gym try to tell me i'm too young to be lifting "heavy" weights.

ben2k9

im not doing weights im only doing situps etc and toning my arms basically read my thread it says i don't want to be doing serious workouts!

crotalus667

WolfForager wrote: »

At the age of 15 i only see yourself doing yourself injury, i'm 17 and the guys at the gym try to tell me i'm too young to be lifting "heavy" weights.

Tell me what are their qualifications ??

rubadub

ben2k9 wrote: »

20 kg York chrome dumbell set, 50 yoyos
Golds Gym chin up, sit up and push up set. 30 yoyos

The 20kg chrome set is €54. The black cast iron 50kg is €80, far better value. Only €26, more, the bar alone would call that, but you also get extra weights. You will outgrow it eventually too, though at first you will think it is way too much.

The golds gym set looks fine, I never, ever bother with situps. I do use a chinup bar all the time, and the pushup stands are good too, I have ones like them. The chinup bar can work your abs, check this exercise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ysNevIv0w

MUCH harder than endless situps.

i'm 17 and the guys at the gym try to tell me i'm too young to be lifting "heavy" weights.

Most guys in the majority of gyms don't have a clue, BUT you should learn to lift correctly. Do NOT just go tossing around weights doing what you feel is right. You might want to join a gym or get somebody experienced to show you how to lift and get your form correct, maybe your PE teacher. www.exrx.net has tips and animations showing it.

Most experienced guys here would say 15 is not too young. I would recommend body weight exercises and lifting 12-15repetitions to begin with, until you are comfortable with form. I find it harder to have bad form on chinups, dips & pushups and bodyweight squats. Many gymnasts start well younger than 15 and are doing tough resistance training.

Bet the guys in the gym who warn against big weights couldn't even dream of doing this stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fT6m1Pv94k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trvd6vsIE2o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTIfss5oF8w

ben2k9

rubdadub

when you say chinups are much harder then situps are you saying they are much better aswell?
and when you say get the barbell/dumbell set the thing is I dont have a bench so how would that work? lol I'd be training on my own so there would'nt be anyone to spot me!?

Roper

If you're 15, go get to a sport that will encourage you to get a bit of muskles on you. At 15, you're better off learning a sport and training away.

WolfForager

crotalus667 wrote: »

Tell me what are their qualifications ??

1) I don't like smart arses.

2) Well i don't know do i? They're the ones who tell me.

ben2k9

update:p

picked up a chin up bar today from argos... now just to find out what techniques are best! i was thinking raising up and pulling legs at the same time so i bring my knees to my chest? any good?

Cpaw

ben2k9 wrote: »

update:p

picked up a chin up bar today from argos... now just to find out what techniques are best! i was thinking raising up and pulling legs at the same time so i bring my knees to my chest? any good?

Why don't you just walk in to a gym in your area and ask one of the instructers for advice, its free

itsallaboutheL

WolfForager wrote: »

1) I don't like smart arses.

2) Well i don't know do i? They're the ones who tell me.

Smart Arse??

WolfForager

itsallaboutheL wrote: »

Smart Arse??

This could go on for a quite a while so seeing as that was also a smart arse comment lol.

Anywho, mate if you wanna weight train i say you should, it gave me a new lease on life, i started studying more, thus doing better at school. I feel better (fitter/healthier), weight training really is great.