Sounds good, but I have a little advice. Your standing press will not go up 5 pounds a workout for long. I suggest rigging some smaller weights. I used this site to make mine and they are invaluable http://www.geocities.com/elitemadcow1/Topics/Microloading.htmwinnarps said:Revised again:
I'm using the Rippetoe Starting Strength guide/book to get into lifting.
Starting off with the basic MWF alternate exercises (all barbell lifting)- squats, bench, deadlifts, etc. With some small extra ab work thrown in (needsize situps, to get the lower areas). I've started with minimal weights on each, generally bar + 30 lbs. I'm gonna add about 5-10 lbs. every workout for the next 2 weeks and see where I'm at.
Is this safer? I feel like I've scaled back a lot from my previous plan(s).
I also picked up whey protein and I'm purging my diet of shitty foods. Basically gonna eat lean meat, eggs, brown rice, and a mix of fruits/veggies for the next month straight just to see how it goes. Drinks are tons of water, a little green tea, and tons of skim milk.
I think I'm on the right track now. I just need to keep a journal and a record of digital pics.
IamMattFox said:Hey, strong Gaf. I'm wanting to get myself into shape. I'm wondering if I can do so without owning a barbell set. I have a nice array of dumbbells I can use, and would also like to get on some sort of regular H.I.I.T. routine.
Am I doomed without a barbell, or is there some sort of plan I can do?
I've found the best thing to do is get dumbbell bars, a barbell, and plates that you can use on both. That way you don't have shitloads of different sized dumbbells sitting around.IamMattFox said:Hey, strong Gaf. I'm wanting to get myself into shape. I'm wondering if I can do so without owning a barbell set. I have a nice array of dumbbells I can use, and would also like to get on some sort of regular H.I.I.T. routine.
Am I doomed without a barbell, or is there some sort of plan I can do?
when do you sit up when doing a Roman Chair, arent you parallel to the ground at all times.JzeroT1437 said:Can someone who saved it post the OP? I know he probably did it for a reason, but it was very helpful.
If not, can someone PM it to me? I know some people mentioned having copied and pasted it.
Also, I did some Roman Chair situps today. Those things are holy crap effective. I immediately felt it working.
yes you can, go to a park, do pull ups, push ups, dips, Squat jumps, sprints, pull tires, run up hills. You don't "need" barbels. Go do 150 pushups on some parallel bars and tell me how you feel after.IamMattFox said:Hey, strong Gaf. I'm wanting to get myself into shape. I'm wondering if I can do so without owning a barbell set. I have a nice array of dumbbells I can use, and would also like to get on some sort of regular H.I.I.T. routine.
Am I doomed without a barbell, or is there some sort of plan I can do?
winnarps said:Do I just take out the whey protein on off-days? Or should I substitute with other stuff?
I'm not sure I follow, but no, you start parallel (or a bit lower) and sit up.Jirotrom said:when do you sit up when doing a Roman Chair, arent you parallel to the ground at all times.
Muscles are not built while you work out.winnarps said:I was curious though. I have a dedicated diet plan for the workout days and I'm set there.
Do I just take out the whey protein on off-days? Or should I substitute with other stuff?
Sullen said:I'm having a hard time knowing how many reps and sets of an exercise I should do. I have been trying to keep it simple by doing bench press, squats, and deadlifts. I'm pretty weak atm, so 5 reps seems to be working me pretty hard right now. Sets are what is really getting me though, how many should I do overall?
Also, say I do 3 sets of bench press, how long should I rest between sets?
Sullen said:I'm having a hard time knowing how many reps and sets of an exercise I should do. I have been trying to keep it simple by doing bench press, squats, and deadlifts. I'm pretty weak atm, so 5 reps seems to be working me pretty hard right now. Sets are what is really getting me though, how many should I do overall?
Also, say I do 3 sets of bench press, how long should I rest between sets?
ahhh see, I've always done them with a friend, and we hold parallel from 30 seconds to a minute, then the friend helps sit you back up.Chichikov said:I'm not sure I follow, but no, you start parallel (or a bit lower) and sit up.
.
OriginX said:So here's my story. Two years ago at age 18 I weighed about 250 lbs, over the last 2 years I've gotten down to about 195 lbs just with small lifestyle changes(some diet, physical job). Now I want to go for the gold. My problem is I don't have gym access at this time(financially stressed), all I have 25lb dumbbells and my own bodyweight. So here's what I've been doing the last couple of days:
My plan of attack is as follows:
Sunday- Relax and enjoy life
Monday- Lift and Run
Tuesday- Lift and Run
Wednesday- Lift
Thursday- Lift and Run
Friday- Lift
Saturday- Lift and Run
8:00 AM: Wakeup
9:00 AM: Various Dumbbell Exercises/Routines and core workout
9:45 AM: Run/walk 2 miles
10:15-10:45 AM: Eat my first meal- usually a protein bar and serving of creatine
1:00 PM- Lunch - Salad and Baked Potatoe
3:30-4 PM- Snack- Protein Bar or Fruit
7:00 PM Dinner- Chicken Breast with salad/potatoe
11:00PM-12:00AM- I go to bed
How does that look? I'm not sure how to get started with all this and reading a bunch of different articles has me confused on whether I should workout on an empty stomach or a full stomach. Basically, I just don't want to waste my time if ultimately what I"m doing isn't going to benefit me. I'd rather just adjust my routine now rather than later.
Some questions I have:
1. Should I be doing cardio twice a day, everyday, or is my current plan of attack good?
2. Should I be working out on an empty stomach so early in the morn, or eat then workout?
3. I do about 2 miles of running a day, but it only takes me about 20 mins to get finished, should I be running a further distance since I've read 40+mins of cardio is best.
Most people aren't able to tell I'm fat unless I have my shirt off, which makes me kind of lucky I guess, but I would like to hit up the beach next summer with a good body.
I think my main problem is I just don't think I have the equipment or the knowledge to make this possible, but if I have to lose the weight with all cardio and then build muscle when I can afford a gym membership, thats fine too. I just want to get started before winter comes rolling around.
Omne said:You're not going to get very far owning just a set of 25 lb dumbbells. One of the most effective ways of lifting is by constantly changing weights, reps, etc. so having just one set of dumbbells will hamper you in the longrun.
Doing cardio once a day is fine, but you have to be a little more intense than you are being currently. A lot of people have the perception that running for 30 minutes is fine. It won't really do anything for you unless you're doing it hard. Do sprints, alternate jogging with sprinting, increase your jog speed, whatever. You won't see results if you're running 10 minute miles. Try running for 10-15 minutes instead, but as hard as you can. It's a better workout and it's better for you in the long run.
I'm a college sprinter, here is my cardio plan (I do cardio 6 days a week):
Day 1: 2 mile interval run (treadmill) + 30 min. swim
1 minute at 7 mph
30 seconds at 9.5 mph, 30 seconds at 10 mph
1 minute at 7.5 mph
30 seconds at 10 mph, 30 seconds at 10.5 mph
1 minute at 8 mph
30 seconds at 11 mph, 30 seconds at 12 mph
(Repeat until 2 miles)
Day 2: Sprints + 30 min. swim
3x 100 yard sprint
3 x 200 yard sprint
2 x 400 yard sprint
1 x 800 yard sprint
Day 3: 2 mile interval run (treadmill) +30 min swim
Start at a comfortable speed, increase the speed by 0.8 mph every 30 seconds. Usually I get up to about 12-12.5 mph, then start again.
Day 4: Sprints +30 min. swim
Rinse, repeat
Just work yourself hard. Never take the easy way out.
OriginX said:Well here's the thing. I'm extremely out of shape as is so the whole 10-min mile thing is something I"m working on improving on. I have tried HIIT running like your suggesting, but it literally leaves my legs as jello for about 3 days making it impossible for me to walk down a flight of stairs let alone do it again the next day. I'll give it another try on my next running day, but if I get the same insane soreness I got the last few times I tried HIIT, I'm going to pass for the time being.
The soreness will go away. Start with 1 HIIT session a week for the first week. The second week do 2 HIIT sessions. The third week do 3 HIIT sessions. If 3 are to many do 2 HIIT sessions for about a month, then go back to 3 a week.OriginX said:Well here's the thing. I'm extremely out of shape as is so the whole 10-min mile thing is something I"m working on improving on. I have tried HIIT running like your suggesting, but it literally leaves my legs as jello for about 3 days making it impossible for me to walk down a flight of stairs let alone do it again the next day. I'll give it another try on my next running day, but if I get the same insane soreness I got the last few times I tried HIIT, I'm going to pass for the time being.
While significant protein catabolism (burning of muscle tissue for energy) can happen in long distance running, it's something that most beginners should not worry about, as long as they eat enough.satori said:Walking is ok. But if you are jogging for a long period of time, you will be burning Muscle, a big no no. IF you plan to do long session of cardio then make sure its LISS (Low Intensity Steady-State). At this stage your body will be using Fat as a fuel source. And not protien (aka muscle).
First time I did HIIT (on a bike) I was gasping for breath for about 15 mins. After a few sessions you get used to it. So yeah, I guess it's pretty normal. Keep on going!OriginX said:So I just tried a session of HIIT running. I started off with slow jogging for about 3-5 minutes, then I sped up for about 1 minute, and then went sprinting for about 30 seconds. Then I slowed back to a normal jog for about 3-5 minutes and then repeated. I cycled this process 2 times and then it hit me hard and sent me into an asthma attack. I rarely, rarely have asthma attacks like I just did. Is this a good sign I'm not ready for HIIT or is it just a fluke. I want to get healthy, but not kill myself in the process.:lol Opinions?
onemic said:Okay when I was buying some Fresca, a random woman came up to me stating all these alleged facts about aspartame, like how it's used as poison to kill ants, how it changes your DNA, slows your metabolism, kills your liver and kidneys, and a bunch of other stuff. Is all of this true? If so, I'm going to stop buying anything diet.
Sol.. said:I personally woulda clicked off at the DNA part.
onemic said:Okay when I was buying some Fresca, a random woman came up to me stating all these alleged facts about aspartame, like how it's used as poison to kill ants, how it changes your DNA, slows your metabolism, kills your liver and kidneys, and a bunch of other stuff. Is all of this true? If so, I'm going to stop buying anything diet.
No you'll be alright without a spot for now. When you're more advanced and want to go big, just ask anyone and they'll be glad to spot.OriginX said:I guess you guys are right about getting a gym membership. I just called the local YMCA and their rate is $75/3mo, which I can sacrifice. My question is, isn't it pretty much a requirement to have a workout buddy, someone to spot you and shit? Because I don't have one, so I'm guessing I would have to find one before really doing anything weight wise?
One of the worst thing an out of shape who's trying to get in shape can do is cutting his calorie intake drastically.satori said:Agreed Chichikov, but one must take into concideration that those who are trying to lose weight will be in calorie deficit diet (or should be atleast). Therefore there is a high chance they will not have enough calories let alone carbs to maintain a high/long level of cardio. I am not saying doing long cardio is bad, far from it. But nothing to the extreme as some of my friends who runs 3 hours a day etc, and eatting sub 2200 calories etc. One must adjust their diet to in according to what is demanded of the body, aka if you do more, eat more.
Like you stated doing both is a sure way to get fit, and a healthy way to get fit. Lifting weights will help build/maintain LBM. While running will help with the fat burning process and more importantly improve heart,lungs, etc health.
And with someone who is overweight, and just started to work out, just farting they will start losing not just pounds but a small %of their body fat a week . Ok not maybe not fart but anything they do will shed the pounds.
OriginX said:I guess you guys are right about getting a gym membership. I just called the local YMCA and their rate is $75/3mo, which I can sacrifice. My question is, isn't it pretty much a requirement to have a workout buddy, someone to spot you and shit? Because I don't have one, so I'm guessing I would have to find one before really doing anything weight wise?
Chichikov said:One of the worst thing an out of shape who's trying to get in shape can do is cutting his calorie intake drastically.
Sure, you should get off the junk food, but you just started working out, your body is going to need more energy, not less.
Other than that, I mostly agree.
onemic said:Okay when I was buying some Fresca, a random woman came up to me stating all these alleged facts about aspartame, like how it's used as poison to kill ants, how it changes your DNA, slows your metabolism, kills your liver and kidneys, and a bunch of other stuff. Is all of this true? If so, I'm going to stop buying anything diet.
reilo said:Cut your reps in half. Increase your weight.
Less reps, more weight.
5 is the golden number. 25 is the max for whatever body part you are working out.
And, wow.
20-30 reps of 1 set of squats? Dudeeee.
3 sets of 5 reps is all you need.
You are also doing too many workouts in one day, split it up if you have to. As a beginner, all you really need is squats, bench press, deadlift, and then supplement as you go along with stuff like bicep curls or ab work, but don't overdo it.
YYZ said:Is there a reason why Olympic bumper plates are expensive as fuck? I bought a pair of 10lb bumper plates a few months ago and it cost me around $150! I looked online and a whole set is over $3K I think.
DSWii60 said:Thanks, I'm naturally quite built already so I thought I'd get straight into it. I'm going to switch to 5 reps from tomorrow, but I don't really want to gain too much mass just yet so will 5 reps cause me to gain a lot of mass? Also, I have trouble with squats, I just can't get a heavy barbell on my back/neck properly hence why I do it with very little weight and a lot of reps. Any way of getting around this? By the way are there any exercises that I could do for my hamstrings with just a barbell and some dumbells and a bench?
reilo said:Are you using any cushions on the barbell? That could help.
If you put the barbell on your back with heavy weights and it feels awkward, set it down again and try again. If you are placing it too high on your shoulders [meaning, closer to the neck], then try lifting the barbell closer to your shoulder blades.
If that doesn't help, you can do front squats.
Or develop bigger shoulders :lolreilo said:Are you using any cushions on the barbell? That could help.
If you put the barbell on your back with heavy weights and it feels awkward, set it down again and try again. If you are placing it too high on your shoulders [meaning, closer to the neck], then try lifting the barbell closer to your shoulder blades.
If that doesn't help, you can do front squats.