Beginner Weight Lifting Questions
 

Hello! I have quite a few questions as I've never weight trained before. I have researched, but the problem is that I've found conflicting opinions, and I'm never sure which sites to trust.

My first question revolves around whether it's better to do high weight/low rep or low weight/high rep. Stumptous.com says that doing low weight/high rep is a waste of time because if you're not pushing yourself, you won't be getting stronger, but I've heard so many times that if you're looking to add some but not a whole lot of muscle, low weight/high rep is the way to go. Any thoughts?

Is it better to do cardio before or after weights? I don't plan on doing a whole lot of cardio (less than half an hour), but I'd like to do both on the same day.

Is it necessary to eat something high in protein after (or before) a workout? My best male friend always drinks a shake after a workout, but he is fairly muscular and looking to add a lot more, so I don't necessarily know if I should be adopting his tactics.

Free weights versus machines? I've heard free weights are better because they involve more muscles to keep stability, but is there a big difference or just a small one?

Is it better to isolate muscle groups and do them on alternating days, or to do a full-body workout a few times a week? My problem areas are arms, stomach, and thighs. Should I have an arms, stomach, and thigh day twice a week or just do all three groups a few times a week? How important is it to do a full body workout if I'm happy with other parts? Should I just concentrate on problem areas?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Chinagirl,

That's alot of questions. My personal experience is that as women we rarely bulk up the way guys do and in order to benefit from weight training comfortably heavy weights work best. The more muscle you have the higher your metabolism. When you begin a weight training program the scale may not move for a week or two but you'll lose inches so measure up to see early results. If you can't do the exercise with proper form you are going to heavy. There's a program called body for life that has worked wonders for me. You can get it almost anywhere and alot of the info is available on line. If your a begnner start slow and work up gradually as you can easily injurer supporting tissue and they take long time to heal.
I usually do 30min. of cardio after each weight workout and a quick 5min. warm up before.
I often include a protein shake as a snack or meal but it's not necessary as long as your eating well and including high quality proteins with several meals each day.
I split my workouts in to two types, upper body one day, and abs and legs the next and just rotate them. I usually workout 3-4 times aweek.

Hope this helps.

Nina

Originally Posted by chinagirl2007:

Originally Posted by :
My first question revolves around whether it's better to do high weight/low rep or low weight/high rep. Stumptous.com says that doing low weight/high rep is a waste of time because if you're not pushing yourself, you won't be getting stronger, but I've heard so many times that if you're looking to add some but not a whole lot of muscle, low weight/high rep is the way to go. Any thoughts?

First, I wouldn't worry about getting too big. First, it is difficult for women (and most men) to get too big in the first place without hormone supplementation and even those that have the genetics to do so need to put in years of dedication and spot on nutrition to do so.

Low weight/high reps is primarily for building strength and high reps/low weight will build up muscled endurance. Which you choose depends upon your goals at a specific time. You are never married to either one.

Originally Posted by :
Is it better to do cardio before or after weights? I don't plan on doing a whole lot of cardio (less than half an hour), but I'd like to do both on the same day.

It is best to do your resistance training first. You want to be able to give it your full intensity for maximum results.

Originally Posted by :
Is it necessary to eat something high in protein after (or before) a workout? My best male friend always drinks a shake after a workout, but he is fairly muscular and looking to add a lot more, so I don't necessarily know if I should be adopting his tactics.

I always eat some protein and some carbs after a workout. This is a good time to eat your starchy carbs or simple carbs. Your need to refill your muscle glycogen (from the carbs) and provide the body with the needed amino acids(from the protein) to repair and build muscle. The 1/2 hour window after your workout is prime time for this as your body will funnel this fuel toward this purpose.

Originally Posted by :
Free weights versus machines? I've heard free weights are better because they involve more muscles to keep stability, but is there a big difference or just a small one?

Look up top in the Sticky Threads. Mel and Meg say it a lot better than I can.

Originally Posted by :
Is it better to isolate muscle groups and do them on alternating days, or to do a full-body workout a few times a week? My problem areas are arms, stomach, and thighs. Should I have an arms, stomach, and thigh day twice a week or just do all three groups a few times a week? How important is it to do a full body workout if I'm happy with other parts? Should I just concentrate on problem areas?

If you are just beginning, I wouldn't worry too much about problem areas,you have to work the entire body. Whether you want to do a split or a full-body workout is totally up to you. FWIW, I always advice friends who are new to training to start out with a 3 day full body routine with a foundation of squats, deadlifts, and presses. Pullups and dips are great also if you have access to an assisted pullup station. I tell my friends to keep isolation work to a minimum. I know they love to do their curls!

Any advice would be much appreciated.

The most important thing is consistency. Make workouts a habit and everything will take care of itself. You don't need the perfect routine to get great results and even a perfect routine will not help those that do not find the dedication or desire to train on a consistent basis.