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i am 15 year old female, and i want to stay fit. i dont play team sports, and i prefer using machines and weights. is this bad for me? and what kind of program should i create for myself?
First off, welcome to JP Fitness!!! I'm about you age, 14, and weight lifting has changed my life. I'm gained self confidence, strength, gotten bigger, excelled in sports, etc. Check out this thread for some lifting routines: Workout Routines
I've heard nothing but good things about Turbulence Training, so if you'd like, check out some of the TT logs to get an idea of what it is.
I recognize the different between me being a guy and u being a girl. i'm looking to get bigger and lift heavier weights. Since, you said you don't play any sports, i'm guessing you're looking to get in shape and basically look good. Correct? Just find something that you'll stick to and listen to any advice you get. You might not get a big response in this section as it is not accessed frequently, but be patient and if after a while you don't hear anything, you can probably PM JP and ask him to move this to the Training Discussion forum.
Good luck!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Great to have you on the forum!! I would stay away from machines at all times. Scientifically speaking, machine training is very detrimental to your neuromuscular development and at your age, your nervous system function can be hindered by influences you receive now. My suggestion would be to find a qualified professional to consult with a few times so then you can learn the proper techniques that are essential to exercise. If the professional tries to toss you on a machine of any form, (treadmills included)seek another trainer for help. At your age you should be learning movement skills and body weight exercises with proper repetition because muscular endurance is easily developed at your age. I hope this has helped put some things into perspective for you.
I forgot to add some this: Just keep your body moving! It doesn't have to be a structured weight program. Just going outside for an hour or 2 a day and getting some exercise is great. Shooting hoops, running around in circles screaming and waving your arms crazily(even us High Schoolers have our 5 year old moments [img]tongue.gif[/img] ), throwing around a football, kicking a soccer ball around, just keep moving. I love to just go outside and shoot some hoops when i'm angry and it's not lifting day. It gives me time to clear my mind and relaxes me plus i'm working on my skills and getting my exercise. Go run or something. Just keep moving. Ride a bike. Jump rope. Jump on a trampoline. There's tons of stuff to do. So just go out and do it!
There's my 10 cents my 2 cents is free [img]smile.gif[/img]
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Im around your age, and for a while a was lifting weights and using a machine. I've actually heard that this can stunt your growth if you are younger if not done properly but, I'm not sure if its true but, anyways I found that I didn't get great results from it. Then when I started high school sports, and we didn't really use weights, we did more running, certain excercises like situps, pushups, jump roping, lunges, etc and of course the actual sport. I found with those kinds of things I got way better results. I felt stronger, I lost weight, I was more toned, and I felt better and looked better. I would recommend do some cardio (jump rope, run a little, etc) and do some different strength excercises, and do an activity. It could be something like just playing basketball or tennis with your friends for fun or rollerblading, ride a bike, even dancing.
Quick FYI, lifting weights does not stunt your growth. It's been proven scientifically and if you want a personal story, heres mine:
When i started lifting weights i was ~12.5 years old and 5'6". Now, i'm just about to turn 15 and am 5'11"
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Did you squat or were you like the typical young man that only works upper body? The stuff that I've always heard is that heavy squatting and perhaps deadlifting might damage the growth plates, not curls.
Nope, i started out doing the right stuff thanks to this site [img]smile.gif[/img] I did deadlifts, squats, bench, rows, military press, etc. I worked my whole body and i also was a 3 season athlete when i started so i was always using my whole body in those sports. Yes, i admit to doing curls but i didn't just do upper body. Now, i look forward to deadlifts and squats more than i do benching That might be because my deads are around 250, ( [img]smile.gif[/img] )squats around 160, ( [img]smile.gif[/img] ) and bench around 130
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
That might be because my deads are around 250, ( [img]smile.gif[/img] )squats around 160, ( [img]smile.gif[/img] ) and bench around 130 
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