JP Fitness Forums - View Single Post - Newbie lifter

jbb · 02-04-2009, 09:25 AM

I am a late-40's man, 5'7", 160 lbs. I used to be an avid triathlete and still like to run, bike, and swim. I have also always done a little strength training to help performance and prevent injury. My strength training was usually going through a machice circuit at the gym. I found that even though I was doing 2-3 sets working to exhaustion, I wasn't improving -- I was just doing the same workout with the same weight each time. So I knew I had to change my routine. I did some reading and whole-body movements with free weights seemed like it made the most sense, providing a good whole-body workout in a short time and providing strength gains that are useful in everyday life.

I read Maximum Strength. Good information, but I realized that it really wasn't for beginners. Then I read NROL and decided to start with the basics described there.

I am quite weak and feel intimidated or at least uncomfortable in the gym's free weight room. I am also not familiar with the various apparatus in there and don't want to pay a personal trainer right now. So I bought some free weights and already had some dumbbells at home, and I'm going to start by doing the lifting routines at home.

I have an 18-month boy and a demanding job schedule, so it will be hard to fit in good workouts. I can sometimes do a workout at the gym during my lunch break, and I'll stick to mostly running and swimming for these. I'll try to squeeze in the lifting workouts 2 or 3 nights a week after my son goes to bed.

At my peak triathlon fitness about 15 years ago, I weighed in the mid-130's. Now I am 160 and have some significant belly fat to get rid of. I have made some diet changes, essentially eliminating sugar, baked goods, and processed foods. I like to get my weight into the 140's again, but I don't mind weighing more if it is lean mass. My goals are mainly to get stronger and reduce my body fat.

02-04-2009, 09:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
jbb Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 169	Newbie lifter - starting NROL I am a late-40's man, 5'7", 160 lbs. I used to be an avid triathlete and still like to run, bike, and swim. I have also always done a little strength training to help performance and prevent injury. My strength training was usually going through a machice circuit at the gym. I found that even though I was doing 2-3 sets working to exhaustion, I wasn't improving -- I was just doing the same workout with the same weight each time. So I knew I had to change my routine. I did some reading and whole-body movements with free weights seemed like it made the most sense, providing a good whole-body workout in a short time and providing strength gains that are useful in everyday life. I read Maximum Strength. Good information, but I realized that it really wasn't for beginners. Then I read NROL and decided to start with the basics described there. I am quite weak and feel intimidated or at least uncomfortable in the gym's free weight room. I am also not familiar with the various apparatus in there and don't want to pay a personal trainer right now. So I bought some free weights and already had some dumbbells at home, and I'm going to start by doing the lifting routines at home. I have an 18-month boy and a demanding job schedule, so it will be hard to fit in good workouts. I can sometimes do a workout at the gym during my lunch break, and I'll stick to mostly running and swimming for these. I'll try to squeeze in the lifting workouts 2 or 3 nights a week after my son goes to bed. At my peak triathlon fitness about 15 years ago, I weighed in the mid-130's. Now I am 160 and have some significant belly fat to get rid of. I have made some diet changes, essentially eliminating sugar, baked goods, and processed foods. I like to get my weight into the 140's again, but I don't mind weighing more if it is lean mass. My goals are mainly to get stronger and reduce my body fat.