[dayoneagain]

Hi guys, would really appreciate some help. Sorry if this has been asked a million times but I can never seem to find a simple answer!

I tend to stay away from weights, opting for cardio everytime, because I feel stupid when I try to do any weight training.

After going to a few bodypump classes while on holiday I know how to do lunges and squats with the bar on my shoulders behind my head, but other than that I am clueless.

My gym is part of the complex where I live so no instructor advice on hand. Please could you give me some exercises I can feel confident doing with a bar and free weights. I don't want to use machines as I want to make the most out of my time and effort.


Thanks so much for any help!

[kaw]

Get thee to www.stumptuous.com, the best site I know of for women who are new to weight training. A lot of solid, well-researched, no BS, no-hard sell information from a woman who knows her stuff.

If you prefer a book form, New Rules of Lifting for Women is good.

be strong//
K

[sacha]

For myself, I paid for a trainer until I learned the exercises correctly (without being a member of the gym)

However, you can search the exercises on Youtube and there are some really good demo's! I don't know if you have a laptop or not, but if your complex gym is quiet, you could bring it in there and do that as you go along.

[dayoneagain]

Thanks for your replies guys!

stumptuous.com has been great and I managed to have my first weight training workout yesterday, without feeling like a total newbie.

I love it when video examples are given to demonstrate different exercises because it means I can see whether I'm doing things right or not, so youtube is a great idea - I'll check it out.

[pintobean]

stumptuous.com is a wonderful site. Also, if you have access to a library (in case you don't want to spend $$), check out the following books, they all have detailed workouts to do and nutrition to follow:

- New Rules of Lifting by Lou Schuler
- New Rules of Lifting for Women by Lou Schuler with Alwyn Cosgrove and Cassandra Forsythe
- The Female Body Breakthrough by Rachel Cosgrove
- Body Fat Solution by Tom Venuto
Edited to add:
- The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises by Adam Campbell

- Starting Strength (2nd edition) by Mark Rippetoe for proper form. You can also find him on youtube and look for the videos,for example, how to do a proper deadlift or squat.

Hope this helps