I’m a beginner in working out with weights etc. I am 6’0 235 lbs. I know i know, i have some fat to loose, but im dedicated and it will happen. I am currently just doing cardio to get in a groove and habit of working out 5-6 days a week. cardio consists of half hour of elliptical training, which i usually get 3 - 3.5 miles of distance.
In a week or 2 after I get comfortable I want to begin lifting weights to tone and cut. Would you all suggest using machines Or free weights to start out?. Im a beginner so have some grace on my lack of knowledge here.
Thanks
HELLO ALL BEGINNERS!!
Can you read? Do you read before posting? All you need to know is right in front of your eyes.
Read Vroom’s Beginner thread:
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=640350
[quote]Sneak2k2 wrote:
I’m a beginner in working out with weights etc. I am 6’0 235 lbs. I know i know, i have some fat to loose, but im dedicated and it will happen. I am currently just doing cardio to get in a groove and habit of working out 5-6 days a week. cardio consists of half hour of elliptical training, which i usually get 3 - 3.5 miles of distance.
In a week or 2 after I get comfortable I want to begin lifting weights to tone and cut. Would you all suggest using machines Or free weights to start out?. Im a beginner so have some grace on my lack of knowledge here.
Thanks[/quote]
Hey bud,
You may be a beginner, but you’ve got a solid attitude which brings you one huge step beyond pure beginner status. There is always a learning curve to being a beginner, the great thing is that you are starting off at a place like T-Nation.
The decision between free weights and machines for beginners is always tough. I like to get a feel for the person’s resources. IMO, everyone eventually wants to move to free weights for numerous reasons. The difficult thing with free weights is the incorporation of technique and form.
Machines really take out the need for form and stability as you just plop in and start going. This is great for beginners but the overall benefit in areas like joint stability, neurological recruitment, and even calories burned is far less than the benefit from free weights. If you can find a great resource to go over proper technique and form it would be great to start jumping into the free weight scene.
If you can’t get your hands on a great teacher, don’t sweat it. Its more important that you get started and get in the habit then worry about starting perfect the first time. Get in and get moving and while your at it you can search for a good “free-weight mentor”.
I always go by the 4 week approach. Apply for 4 weeks then reevaluate and make changes and repeat. This is the best way to prevent yourself from getting caught up in the swarm of knowledge that is out there.
Again, dedicate yourself building the sound habits of getting to the gym and educating yourself. Don’t feel the need to apply every bit of knowledge at one time. Adding something in every 4 weeks is the best approach and do it part by part. Even with a sub-optimal routine you can get pretty far.