[rekanoh]

I have lost about 19 pounds.I would like to start lifting weights.I am 46 years old.I was wondering if anyone does it at home?I need to know where to start.We don't have the money to join a gym at this time.I need to loose about 64 pounds.I was thinking this might help.I really want to try.Is there any good books that will help me?Thanks for all your help.Sheila

[Mindi]

Hi Rekanoh and welcome to the board. I'm a couple years older than you and I work out at home. All you need is some resistance to start, maybe a book or video to show you good form and you're on your way!

I'd tell you to check your local area for sports stores like Play it again Sports that buy and trade used equipment, you could pick up some dumbells cheap and then when you need to move up? trade em in for heavier ones. The BodySculpting Bible for her is a good guide to using weights and you could maybe get it at the library and you could check your library for weight training videos too.

I know that Leslie Sansome, Denise Austin and Kathy Smith all have very good introduction strength training videos and your library or your Target or Walmart store may have copies of them.

Glad to have you here Shelia!

[RavenToy]

I recently started putting together a home gym. I don't have a lot of money, so I go to Play it Again Sports for my equipment. I got a 160 pound starter freeweight set for $80, and I picked up a rack bench with leg extension for another $100. That's going to do me for a while till I get just a straight bench (another $50), and then I want to start saving for a cage. The cheapest one they had there at the time was about $220 used. Weightlifting for Dummies is a cool book, as is this site...

http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html

I've been working out with my 14 year old daughter, and we both enjoy it a lot.

[loon2]

I have just recently started weight lifting, it came from an injury I had and I finally was able to start strenght training after it healed . I started out with Leslie Sansuns walking tapes with the band. I started with the 1 mile. My arm came back 100%. And very quickly, the school in our town stated offering a womans wieght training class. I went a few times to get used to it. I was very fortunate to go to Walmart last week and they had a bench and weights on sale for $49.00. I couldn't believe it. The lady that helped me couldn't believe it either. It has the arm and leg extensions also. So I have been working at home. I am very surprised at how weak I really am. With time it will improve. So I have been doing weights 3 days a week and the 2 mile walking tape 3 days a week. I can't believe how good I feel. ( I am sore from the muscles yet but it will go away. Good luck to you. I have read the body for life book and it has taught me alot.