READ, absorb all the information you can, talk to people knowledgable about the subject(whether it be powerlifting, olylifting, training for a sport, or to just plain look good without a shirt), and then RE-READ. Don’t expect results overnight, and with anything in life dedication is required.
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Before posting a question type it in to the search engine and set it to forums to see if someone has asked it before.
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For bodycomp changes keep a food log and make sure to eat every 2-3 hrs.
Set goals!
Try to increase weight with every workout. And don’t be afraid to workout when you haven’t fully recovered.
Protein.
DIET, FORM, CONSISTENCY, LISTENING.
Everyone’s body is different. What works for one person might not work as well for another. Listen to your body, concentrate on the movement, make sure the muscles you are hitting are the ones doing 90+% of the work.
Protein.
For me using proper FORM and mostly Dumbells I have found the most gains.
Protein, and lots of it, you can have Carbs just make sure they are the right ones. Good Fats work wonders. Did I mention Protein.
5/6 meals a day.
Do your workouts when your body is ready for them. I am not a morning person, I get my best workouts at lunch and always come away feeling refreshed and ready to handle any problems at work.
Form is very important. Keep your core tight and use it to support you more than a seat. Do standing shoulder presses instead of seated, do standing curls, if you use a machine put the seat back and sit up straight back off the pad.
Get in, get it done, get out.
most important principle: CONSISTENCY.
applies to all things - eating, learning, lifting, and resting.
You are, without a doubt, what you eat. So write it down!
Quote: There is no such thing as overtraining - only under eating, under sleping, and the failure of will.
Try not to talk to too many poeple in the gym, just get to work. that’s been one of my biggest problems. i suggest getting some headphones, it seems to help. people are less inclined to talk to you. maybe this is just because i’m a girl 
but i see lots of folks in the gym talking and not working.
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Learn how to deadlift and squat properly, from this alone your physique will improve greatly as you get stronger.
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Write down all your exercises, weights, reps, and sets. Each week just try to do one more rep or 2.5 pounds more then last week. Amazing how a such a simple thing will drive you to progress. Plus you won’t be that guy that we see using the same 25lb dumbells for curls every Monday night for the past year.
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Don’t let anyone convince you that one workout program is the best. The body responds to a stimulus and will progress on any training program for a time.
I believe one of the most important tips to give a newbie is simply this: consistency is key. It (consistency) is so basic and is at the core of successful health,nutritional, and/or strength improvements that it is often forgotten or ignored. I think some great advice is to search this wonderful website for the vast wealth of information and insight that it contains and then begin implementing it. Making gains isn’t always easy, but ‘sticking to the plan’ will provide results. Inherent in the concept of consistency is this: Health and Fitness is not an all-or-none game . . . . if you mess up and miss a workout or eat a bit too much, it isn’t the end of the world. Be persistent in your quest and get back on track to your original plan by not missing the next workout or overeating at the next meal. Over the long haul being consistent is what is important.
Sixers
eat.
(walleye- did u not read the faq’s?)
Read, read, read, everything here.
Pay attention to Christian T, Chris S, and don’t take TC too seriously. Read everyones opinion, then form your own. Change is good, nothing is concrete and nothing works forever.
SURGE! is the BOMB!!!
If you don’t want to look like a bird, then don’t eat like one.
As a personal trainer I see newbies to the gym on a regular basis. These people have a wide range of goals and many various reasons for going to the gym. The major problem is that statistically, 90% of these people don’t attain the goals that they set for themselves. Why is that? Occasionally the problem is misinformation (bad work out/dietary advice they probably got from Women’s Digest or Dr. Phil). However, since the newbies who will be reading this message now have access to the best training and nutritional advice any magazine can offer, this will not be a problem. The main reason people don’t achieve what they set out to do is because they don’t consistently stay with their plan in the gym. Generally for the first 2-3 weeks newbies will spend as much time at the gym as they would with a new girlfriend…and then the infatuation ends. The lust that was once there has dissipated and you and the gym might as well break up because you never see eachother anyway. My advice: Spend more time in the gym using the golden advice in t-mag than you do reading about it. Pick out a diet, get the supplements, pick a training program, and then do it. Don’t half-heartedly venture into this because you will most likely fall victim to the statistics (By the way, most gyms count on newbies falling into the 90% of people who just stop coming to the gym. It’s how they can keep selling memberships every day and the gym never overflows with bodies). Anyway, good luck to all who decide to try the programs and supplements found here at t-mag. You won’t be dissappointed.
Jon Stewart
The most important thing I could impress upon a newbie is this: in the beginning of your weight training career, your absolute #1 priority is to get stronger. You must add weight whenever possible and constantly push yourself to get stronger and stronger and use heavier and heavier weights. Whether your goal is to get big, to get cut, or become a better athlete, you need a foundation of strength from which to work.
The stronger you are, the quicker you will accomplish your goals.
Once you have good strength, you will be prepared to give your all in every workout, no matter what routine you are following or what goals you are pursuing.
Don’t let weakness happen to you
DONT GIVE UP
Your going to get hurt, make mistakes, maybe take some shitty sumplements, do “the wrong” program, have times of no progress, its all art of the game, but in the end you’ll look back and laugh and it won’t matter…as long as you stick with it.
Let me hit ya’ with 3 quick ones.
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Learn - You must always strive to learn more.
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Train the Posterior Chain - If you really want to be strong or just a better athlete, this is the best way b/c this is what most lack.
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Be a T-Man - If you still have questions as to what this means you must be lost.
Bryan
NO MACHINES
Stick to freeweights as much as possible and use large COMPOUND movements (squat, bench, deadlift, power clean/snatch… BEAR)
Buy a scale and weigh your whey! (hah)
My personal tip: “Forget everything you learned after your father showed you how to train and before you first read T-mag. Now get back to work.”
Tip for others I’ve trained with: “If you’re gonna be working with me you better get off your ass right now and train. I don’t want to be carrying your ass through another fire again! Oh btw check this out (refer them to t-mag.com).”
Don’t know if this is suffice, but it’s a lifesaver not having to just save my ass and my partner’s ass in a raging incident. But if there’s a need to, any member on my crew can get eachother’s back if we’re in deep sh*t.