Weights for beginners!

sillymoo

Im sorry if this has been asked before but if someone could point me in the right direction I would be very grateful!

I am following the couch to 5k programme (found here http://www.c25k.com/) and im on week 1

I am doing this programme to improve my general fitness and hoping to run the marathon next year if I can gradually build up my stamina and strength. Added to this, I play camogie and want to build up etc.

I am doing the running without much difficulty but I think I may need to be doing some weights too? Im not sure what I should be doing to be honest. Im using the gym in college and there reaally is no such thing as a personal trainer So any advice would be fantastic........

Roper

Starting Strength for you my man! Buy the book you can get it from Asgard or Amazon. It's by Mark Rippetoe. Very, very good.

sillymoo

Roper wrote: »

Starting Strength for you my man! Buy the book you can get it from Asgard or Amazon. It's by Mark Rippetoe. Very, very good.

Eh im a girl? But cheers il look it up!

BTW I have read the stickies, I am not out to lose weight in 5'2", 9st and 23 and pretty happy with body shape etc. Just want a bit of direction - should I use all the weight machines in the gym? Dumbells? Legs and arms equally?

Jimmy Bottlehead

sillymoo wrote: »

Eh im a girl? But cheers il look it up!

BTW I have read the stickies, I am not out to lose weight in 5'2", 9st and 23 and pretty happy with body shape etc. Just want a bit of direction - should I use all the weight machines in the gym? Dumbells? Legs and arms equally?

Girls benefit from weights just as much as guys! Look up Mandy Blank or Jamie Eason to see what heavy weights and 'boys' exercises can do your your boobs, tum and bum. Wonders, I say! And you won't get uber-muscley

It'll mean mainly dumbbells and barbells. And also forcing yourself to use what most (uninformed) girls believe to be the guys part of the gym. But you pay your membership and if it makes ya look good, just do it!

sillymoo

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Girls benefit from weights just as much as guys! Look up Mandy Blank or Jamie Eason to see what heavy weights and 'boys' exercises can do your your boobs, tum and bum. Wonders, I say! And you won't get uber-muscley

It'll mean mainly dumbbells and barbells. And also forcing yourself to use what most (uninformed) girls believe to be the guys part of the gym. But you pay your membership and if it makes ya look good, just do it!

Hehehe! TBH a bit of bulk would not go amis if it put the fear of god into the opposition during a camogie match

Cheers I just need to find someone to show me how to use the dumbbells etc in college. What kind of weight should you start on and how many reps?

Jimmy Bottlehead

Well personally, I'd start with a light weight. Get used to the motion of lifting the weights properly. Getting your form down - that means you won't injure yourself.
Once you start to master the form, you can add more weight. As the weights get heavier, the form gets harder to keep, but it has to be kept. 'Tis a fine balance

And you prob won't bulk lifting weights!! Unless you actually try to bulk. You'll get stronger, and in all likelyhood, either stay the same weight or get heavier as muscle is heavier than fat... but you'll look either the same or slimmer!

In the college gym, do they have large weights like this:

http://www.robbinssports.com/sporting-goods-store/images/300-Lb.-Deluxe-Weight-Set.jpg

and a squat/power cage like this:

http://www.biggerfasterstronger.com/uploads/400040c-800.jpg

sillymoo

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

In the college gym, do they have large weights like this:

http://www.robbinssports.com/sporting-goods-store/images/300-Lb.-Deluxe-Weight-Set.jpg

and a squat/power cage like this:

http://www.biggerfasterstronger.com/uploads/400040c-800.jpg

There are weights like that as far as I know, along with all the dumbbells and weight machine things (sorry im a little clueless about these things! ) Il be going back to gym tomorrow so will find out then.

Cheers for the help and direction, its much appreciated!