Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with workout and lifting

I need to start working out, but other than my lack of motivation, not having a workout plan is keeping me from starting. How can I solve this? Personal trainer? Websites?

decrescendo — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:31:13 -0800

I need to start working out, but other than my lack of motivation, not having a workout plan is keeping me from starting. How can I solve this? Personal trainer? Websites? I feel like having no direction and structure is keeping me from working out. Yes, I realize working out without a plan is better than not working out at all, but I think I'm the type of guy that needs a plan for this.

I'm trying to bulk up. I want to gain weight and gain muscle. I'm 6'3" 185 lbs. How should I go about this? I need some structure.

Help me be a stronger person

misha — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:06:36 -0800

I work out at home. I'd like to add some free weights to my workout routine, but I don't know where to start. I'm naturally introverted and prefer working out at home to going to a gym. So I have a stair machine set up in front of a TV and also do sit-ups and push-ups. If I get bored I head to the living room and put in an aerobics or belly dance video.

I really feel like some free weights would help tone my upper body and add more to my workouts.

I have some dumbbells...somewhere, but they are really light, and anyway I feel that I need different weights for different muscles (biceps can take more than triceps, I'm pretty sure). What weights do I need to get started?

I also wonder if I should have a bench? I'm not planning on building muscle or anything, just toning up, so would that be overkill? I'm thinking of setting up in our den, if I can free up enough space--is there a problem because it's carpeted?

Lastly, any suggestions for a routine to start out with?

Moving from Starting Strength to bodybuilding

ludwig_van — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:24:33 -0800

I think I'm about ready to move on from Starting Strength and I'm looking for bodybuilding routine. I started on the Stronglifts Beginner program in June. In September I switched to the similar Practical Programming Advanced Novice program. Both are based on Rippetoe's Starting Strength. By my estimation I've just about reached the intermediate level and it's time to change programs again.

My current stats: 23 year old male, 6', 160 lbs., ~12% bodyfat. My best lifts in pounds: Deadlift - 280 1x5, back squat - 245 3x5, front squat - 170 3x5, bench - 160 3x5, OH press - 115 3x5.

I've surpassed 1.5 bodyweight on the squat and I think I'll stall on it soon. My deadlift can probably stand a few more increases. Both my bench and OH press have recently stalled hard. I'm not interested in any kind of competitive lifting -- my goals are mainly aesthetic, so I'd like to start a bodybuilding routine.

I realize that an intermediate program must by definition be more complex than a beginner program, but I'd love to find something as simple, clear, effective, and easy to follow as the starting strength variations I've been doing. Can you recommend a program? I feel lost in a sea of options.

I want to pump ME up...

odi.et.amo — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:35:56 -0800

I'm going to start working out... But what should I do? My friend and I decided to finally start using the gyms at our apartments. We live about 3/4 of a mile from each other, so we'll alternate biking to the other's complex and work out there.

We both do a bit of biking on the weekend, but typically not more than 20 miles at this point.

I've never worked out before, except for starting to ride a bike again late last year. I'm 25, 5'2", and between 130-140 pounds. I want to get and stay somewhat lean and have the same routine each week just getting progressively more difficult (e.g., Mondays are always abs, Tuesdays arms, etc). I'm not overly concerned with losing weight - I just want to be healthier overall and get the typical benefits that a regular workout routine provides.

The gyms have the "usual" gym equipment as far as I can tell, but I'm at a loss as to 1.)what and 2.)how many times to do things.
My semi-cardio warm-up and cool-down will be walking or biking to/from our respective gyms, but what should I do in the middle?

Fighting Blubber—The Gym Reassurance Questions.

wildrain2008 — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:06:36 -0800

Fighting Blubber—The Gym Reassurance Questions. INFORMATION:
=================

Background: So here's the deal, during late high school and early college I hit the gym on and off for a month or so, always breaking my routine and never getting the the exact point that I wanted to reach—which was getting cut like B. Lee but with a bit more mass.
After college work left me drained so even though I had time to hit the gym after.. I rarely did.

Negative Result: The result of not hitting the gym was not so much as getting overweight (I have a relatively fast metabolism) but rather the addition of blubber... that fat over the 6 pack and the love handles and especially Gluteus Maximus.

Resolution: After a year I switched jobs (on my new job 5 months now) and I've forced myself to get back into shape—watching my diet and resurrecting my gym routine. My current weight is 190lbs, I guess that's not so bad for a guy who's 5'11. But there's definitely has room for improvement from what I've read.

The Stalling: So I've been hitting the gym 3 days a week for almost 2 months now. My routine involves 30 mins of jogging or stationary bike, followed by 45 mins to an hour of weight lifting.

Weightlifting Routine breakdown:

Bench Press: 3 sets/ min 127lbs max 157lbs
Lat Pull Down: 3 sets/ min 90lbs max 100lbs
Sitting Bicep Curl: 3 sets/ 22.5lbs
Tricep Pull Down: 3 sets/ 40lbs
Dumbell Shoulder Press: 3 sets/ 30lbs
Butterfly: 3 sets/ 110lbs
Shoulder Machine: 3 sets/ 70lbs
Glutes Leg Press: 3 sets/ 260lbs
Abb Death Circuit: 3 sets of: hard medicine Ball leg lift, large medicin ball crunches (lying on top), standing oblique lifts (45lbs each side)

Positive Results: I've noticed definition on my body in general and the showing of the 3pack lol upper abbs.

Again my goal still remains to: to get cut up but have a bit more mass than just the average kung-fu fighter lol.

QUESTIONS:
=============

I know that 2 months at the gym is a short time for me to expect major results, but I would really love to get rid of the blubber that is still covering the results that I'm trying so hard to improve (aka the muscles and the tone that is slowly appearing.. again very slowly lol).

1. How many moths do I have to wait to see substantial results aka the evaporation of this darn flab?

2. Is there anything I can do to improve the weight loss but not damage my other goal (building mass)?

3. My brother after a year of swimming completely transformed his body, would adding maybe 1 or 2 days of pool to my overall routine damage or improve the results I'm striving towards?

END NOTES:
============
I told myself this time that I'm never quiting gym again.. and it looks like I've caught the gym bug as I get antsy (like an addict) towards the end of my work.. to get back into the gym.. :)

Andy advice is always helpful.