I'm going to start some weights.. need advice!

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Originally Posted by ELP

BTW What are planks???????????

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Is it like where you lay down then lift your body up by resting on your tip toes and bend your arms at 45deg angle with your knees off the ground? Good for the core?

Yep, exactly right :)

Cool, thought so :)

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Originally Posted by TTC5

OMG I was so going to start us a thread just for this but thought nahhh everyone would think I'm an idiot :P

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Not an idiot at all!!! Its the one main area that I need daily reminding/encouragement/kicking in LOL! Maybe you can add to the title of this thread 'need help and daily encouragement! Please join in!' We cankeep chat about supps and timings on the main thread but swap tips and reminders for on here:agree:

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Originally Posted by Hobbermittens

I don't really count what I am doing, I just do stuff until I am tired. Bec, I think I might copy what you are doing. I hope it is okay that I can only do girl push ups?

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It's prob best NOT to go until you're tired, you don't want to risk overdoing it anyway. Just do something like what Bec's husband has outlined for her :agree: but I would def. add in squats as well and also perhaps an over-the-head lift.

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Originally Posted by begonia

Bec I've been doing weights for 9 months now and can totally see/feel a difference. We had family photos taken about a month ago and in one I am lifting DD2 and my arms look ah-ma-zing. My photog even commented on them, LOL! And oh my aren't planks killer?!?! I do bicycle crunches for my abs and they wear me out.

TTC5, I am pretty sure Atomic mentioned on another thread one of the best ways to raise your T with your weight training is do combined moves, so squats while holding the weights and extending them overhead, or lunges with bicep curls, etc. Another great weight move we used to have to do when I was on a running team was take a lightweight dumbbell, maybe 5lbs, and jog in place but use your arms as though you were running, only exaggerate it ... really bring it back til your elbow is the same height as your shoulder, then bring it forward again til elbow is same height as shoulder. (hope that makes some sense!) That works your entire arm/shoulder out and will really sculpt your arms!

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That is totally best BUT if a person finds they can't do all the moves at once, it's ok to only do them one at a time. Do the doable and then in time you will find yourself able to do more than you ever thought possible!!

Also if you are just beginning you might find that 5 lbs is too much, and that's ok. Just do 3,2 or even 1 lb weight, remember that it's YOUR own individual body that matters, it doesn't matter if you are not lifting as much as anyyone else, as long as you are lifting more than you were. Start out with light weights and work up, that way you can prevent injury and you won't get discouraged with exercise!!

A lot of these exercise routine ya'll are talking about reminds me of Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. She has LOTS of dumbell exercises and ab exercises. Cardio too. I need to get back into that. For now I'm just going to the gym and doing the weight machines there.

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Originally Posted by TTC5

Is it like where you lay down then lift your body up by resting on your tip toes and bend your arms at 45deg angle with your knees off the ground? Good for the core?

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?? A bit like push ups??

I did some lifts yesterday, I raised DD4 above my head, lowered her down ,then crouched down, then stood up again, if that makes sense. I only did it slowly 15 times but this morning my legs are aching like hell lol!! I think I'll switch down to 10 maybe 2x a day with that one!

ooh i was just gunna start something like this!! thanks! im going to try some of your guys's ide and ill post my exercise plan too for you guys! im starting step today..right now in fact!

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Originally Posted by Bec

I started weights a few weeks ago and in that short time have noticed such a big difference. I am talking in terms of strength not muscle, but hopefully in time I will be able to physically see some muscle as well.

My DH does MMA and does strength training so he has developed a weight program for me. I do a different program each session and do 2-3 per week at the moment. Anyway so here's an example:

4 sets of bicep curls (reps of 10, 12, 10, 8) with a 2 min rest in between reps (5kg of weight)

4 sets of bent over rows (reps of 10, 12, 10, 8) on each arm with a 2 min rest between reps (6.5kg weight).

4 sets of lunges and pushups (with the pushups I aim for 10 set but I usually do 3-4 full ones and then the rest on my kneees.). I never used to be able to do even 1 push up so I am pretty pleased with myself ;)

3 planks (depending on how I feel though, sometimes I'm too buggered)

Hope this helps :)

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this is great. whats MMA? also ive seen this on other testosterone boosting exercise sites that you should alternate the number of reps you do per set. is there a specific reason for that?