Weights at home

Galbin

I used to do weight machines at a gym and liked it. However my gym closed down and the new one I went to wasn't for me. I am recovering from an eating disorder so don't want to go back into the gym environment again, as it just reinforces all my negative self talk.

I was never given training in weights and simply used the weights machine. However, I have been told by many people since that free weights are what one needs to get results.

I currently do yoga and cycling for my cardio, but as a female I feel its very important to lift again for my bones. I also had a very sculpted look when I lifted weights.

I'd like to buy some weights at home and work out in my house, but I don’t know which ones to buy or what exercises to do.

So I'm wondering are there any clubs or teachers that would show me what to do? I've read books and looked at YT videos but I still don't feel I know what I am doing at all.

Thank you very much.

john t

you could purchase some equip from argos etc, or walk / run jog a bit. was your eating dissorder over r under eating? were you live and wat health clubs near you?

marathonic

What's your budget? You could do a lot worse than this package.

If you use the discount code WINTER10, you should get 10% off. If you go through http://www.FatCheese.ie you should get another 10% off. Postage to Ireland is 42 pounds so this brings the total cost to about 780 euro.

If your budget is lower, these kettlebells are a pretty good bargain at the moment. If you go for them, go to a few classes first - they're all over the place at the moment.

Thud

If you can find a gym with free weights try to get a session there with a PT to see if its for you and what sort of weights you'll need to buy

The power rack might be diving in the deep end a bit so you could start on donedeal.ie there's usually lost of free weights for sale on there.

Dumbbells and kettlebells might be a better starting point (safety wise if lifting alone) and move on to a barbell after that.

These two websites are handy to lookup exrcises
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

there's usually a few people on here to help if needed.

Galbin

John t- My eating disorder diagnosis was EDNOS. In other words, eating disorder not otherwise specified. Anyway, my problem was definitely not overeating. It was more about having to eat the perfect food, never going out because it messed with my food, food obsession, the whole kit and kaboodle. A pretty hideous time in my life and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

marathonic - My budget is pretty low I am afraid, so sadly that is way out of my price range for now.

Thud - How would I know what size weights to buy? I've no interest in lifting pink Barbie weights anyhow, the long term goal would be to lift proper weights like the men in my old gym did.

Do any of yis lift weights? How did you learn to do it? I guess I am just curious about the bodybuilders in my old gym, like where did they learn to do it? I also worry about my form as all the books I have read talk about how bad poor form is. However, how are you supposed to know what's good form and what is not?

Thanks everyone.

Thud

You'll need to get into a gym with freeweights to find out, start with the lowest dumbells (or kettlebell) and work up until you are starting to struggle with the reps (for each different lift). A PT will be able to help you find you're starting weight and show you which lifts to start with.

You'll be aiming to do 3 sets of 8 to 10reps (or lower 3-6 reps with heavier weight is you want to build bigger muscles) for most of the lifts/exercises.

If you are looking to buy weights for home you'll probably want adjustable dumbells with plates (not the barbie ones) so that you can change the weights for different exercises and increase the weights as you get stronger.
You'll prob find them on donedeal or Argos:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3008243/Trail/searchtext%3EDUMBELL.htm

Once you've built up a bit of base strength you could look to invest in a barbell ......and then the power rack!

quietriot

Came across stuff by the user Transform here before. He has threads on working out at home (and elsewhere) as well as a youtube channel full of fitness videos.

Don't know much about him (I'm not into fitness very much though) but he seems to be a beast and respected instructor so I'd certainly check out his advice before spending a lot of money on stuff you might not use.