Weight lifting and Sex

I'm gonna start lifting weights this wednesday. I was supposed to start today but I only had enough energy for some cardio on the treadmill.

Any tips/regimes for a complete novice and out of shape person?

If you are indeed "a complete novice and out-of-shape person," the first thing that I would advise you to do is to hire a trainer, or in any case to get some kind of supervision, at least for your first few sessions. There are two kinds of thing that you need to learn: (1) what muscles are worked by each exercise, and (2) what the proper form is for each exercise. If you just walk into the gym and start picking up weights at random and lifting them, there is, obviously and most seriously, a chance of injuring yourself, and, beyond that, an even greater chance that you will expend a certain amount of effort and will power (particularly the will power required just to get oneself into the gym day after day) without deriving much benefit, and consequently get discouraged and quit.

If you can't afford to hire a trainer, can't get the supervision for free, and are good at learning things from self-study, there are loads of books about weight training, and probably, I would guess, some informative web sites.

Do not attack the gym either. Start very slowly. Really, almost just go through the motions with weights that appear to be too light.

People that work out regularly are used to and almost crave the pain associated with muscle tear/rebuilding. Novices tend to shy away from this pain becuase they are not used to it.

Trainers can help. But I've seen too many take an obeise person (not saying you are) and then put them through a full body workout. I promise you that person could not walk the next day.

Also, don't worry about how you stack up to the person next to you. I struggle to get my friends in the gym because they feel uncomfortable there. They think people are looking at them like "who's that idiot." When in fact most people at the gym don't ever talk about anybody. The only time I've seen people talk under their breath about someone is those guys/gals that show up to the gym with hiking boots and jeans on to work out.

Wear nice clean gym close with nice new sneakers!

If you are just starting resistance training you might be better off starting with the machines they often have. These machines are less likely to cause injury and will virtually force you to have good technique. You can also learn the same thing from pushups (feet elevated, standard, close hand, hand stand...) for your shoulders arms and chest, and dips for your triceps..... And if you pay close attention you will notice which muscles certain movements exercise. You will also become aware of which range of motions are possible and helpful for certain muscle groups. After you build up enough strength (and this will vary from person to person) you can move on to dumbells and barbells. But like another member mentioned you should err on the side of caution when it comes to how much weight you are using.

Also you should make sure to keep your progress balanced within opposing muscle groups. One example is that if you work out you abs alot, you should also work out your lower back. These are the opposing muscle groups for movements of your torso.

Great info from all the previous posts, but also i would specify what your goals are and what you want out of your body. Do you want size, or toned or just to lose weight because all require completely different workouts, so to sum it up take the advice of the others and hire a trainer at first but make sure you know what you want so you can make the most of your time with the trainer because their not exactly cheap. Anyways good luck.
MATT,

Well you are repeating a little bit of a misnomer. To lower your fat/weight ratio (I say this because it is not about losing weight but looking and feeling good - muscle weighs more than fat) the more muscle mass one has the more calories their body burns when the muscles are at rest. This in itself inceases the speed of one's metabolism. Add to this an effective cardio-vascular workout and you have the makings of beneficial exercise. It is also a misnomner that bigger weights necessarily translates into more bulk and lighter weights are more successful for toning. Toning is accomplished when our calory intake is equal to or less than the amount of calories we use in a day. Actually bulking up is the result of feeding the muscles the right amount and combination of amino acids coupled with great breakdowns of muscle tissue and rest.

At any rate, I do understand you point and clearly defined goals will help an individual develop a succesful regimen. But the most successful programs involve a multidimensional approach to excercise, nutrition, and rest.

Ok, I like all of the advice given. I went a few weeks ago and was given some workout exercises (most of which I don't know the names of the equipment) by my dad's friend who has been doing this for some time. I was sore for the next couple of days but I did have a bit more energy. We only worked on my upper body and then I spent half an hour on the treadmill.

My main goal is just to trim up and gain more muscle mass to fit my body type (wide framed). I will definitely check into seeing if my college gym has a trainer and see if he can give me a routine.

If you are a beginner, learn the following lifts:

1) Squat
2) Deadlift
3) Bench Press
4) Overhead Press
5) Barbell Row
6) Chin-Ups
7) Abs, Abs, Abs!

...OB

thanks for the tips all

Girls generally like nice arms (not necessarly huge) just defined...and great abs will get you laid and help with your pumping.

All the best.

I'm actually working on a book on this very topic.

So far, I have 3 major picks:

Zercher Lift. Work this up to the weight of your girl+25lbs for reps and you will carry her in your arms easily. Romantic!

Kettlebell swing. Hip drive, hip drive, and more hip drive. One of the best cardio tools around, as well. THE exercise for improving your sexual ability and stamia, imo.

Dive Bomber pushups. works the shoulder girdle in the manner we usually find it for several sexual positions, and it will loosen up your hips and back as well, which will make other positions more comfortable.

Those are my picks for top 3 most bang for the buck exercises.

I like to consider myself a martial AND venusian artist.