Weight training: How should I start?
 

:carrot: :devil: My daughter wanted the devil on here.
I have been using the elliptical, treadmill, bike and some of the weight machines for the last month. I would like to do more with weights or free weights but not sure where to begin. I really don't want to pay for a personal trainer yet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

It might be worthwhile to pay for one or two sessions, just to get started. A trainer can show you the proper form, and discuss your goals.

In my gym, they sometimes offer a free weight training class. That's how I got started. That and read, read, read.

There are good sites for weight training- exrx.net, skwigg.com, stumptuous.com, among others.

stumptuous.com is what I was gonna say. She is awesome!

Sharon :wel3fc: ...

I hired a personal trainer once quite a few years ago and it was well worth it, it was only for 2 sessions. Now I just rely on sites, magazines, books from the library...

You need a trainer, I would say. I started last fall, and I would try to read and watch exercises online but it didn't work because weightlifting is all about form. If the form is bad, then you risk injury at worst, or you don't get results.

Despite my research, I was doing squats and deadlifts wrong and putting stress on my lower back. If it wasn't for a trainer, I wouldn't have been able to fix the problem.

Good luck to you!