4 week transformation

I am the minority here as I really enjoy doing cardio and dislike lifting. Four weeks ago I started lifting for the first time and must admit I really enjoy it. I wanted to start out with simple lifts so for four weeks I simply did:

3 days/week
5x5 Deadlift
5x5 Bench
5x5 Bent over rows

I am pretty pleased with the results but wanted to get your opinions. I would like to add a few more lifts now that I am comfortable and just purchased a gym membership. Judging by my pic is their any lifts I should incorporate. Also, I should mention I am still eating at a calorie deficit because I am hesitant to gain weight. Anyways, advice..criticism.

Unfortunately the before picture I was not flexing. I subconsciously threw up the shocker in the after pic.:)

I would definitely find a way to work squats into your routine.

Try to take the same pose in each pic, I personally prefer also no flex and not after doing 2hrs in the gym ;)

My pics are the early morning after a good night sleep. Maybe I should cheat and work my arse off and take the next one right after cardio/ab routine.

And if you have a gym membership now, I'm a big fan of the 4 day split. Hitting Chest/Tri, Back/Bi, Legs, Shoulders. Core as needed of course.

[QUOTE=ehall20;559656661]I would definitely find a way to work squats into your routine.[/QUOTE]

Agreed.

The flexing vs. non-flexing kind of skews any comparisons, in addition to the fact that in your 'after' photo you are standing significantly closer to the camera thus looking bigger regardless of muscle mass. Your back does, however, look wider so those rows must be doing something :)

Keep at it, work on the core lifts (including squats!), and monitor your progress. Good luck

Plus, thorwin up the shocker sign in you after pic kind of makes you look like a douche..
just sayin'

Thanks everyone for the feedback. The reason I got the gym membership is because I wanted to start doing squats. Is it possible to do a 4-day split but substitute something for the legs or just do a 3 day? I really don't want to build muscle in my legs.

Autino I agree with you..not sure why I did that. I'm not a douche though:)

[QUOTE=JCL1;559670831]I really don't want to build muscle in my legs.[/QUOTE]

Curious as to your reasoning for this...

[QUOTE=JCL1;559670831]The reason I got the gym membership is because I wanted to start doing squats... I really don't want to build muscle in my legs.
[/QUOTE]


So you want to start doing squats because you don't want to build muscle in your legs?

[QUOTE=illiniStrive;559672451]Curious as to your reasoning for this...[/QUOTE]

In my opinion I have naturally muscular legs which I'm happy with. Also, I am running a marathon in Jan so I'm training a few times a week doing that. Here is a quick calf pic I just took.

[QUOTE=ehall20;559675151]So you want to start doing squats because you don't want to build muscle in your legs?[/QUOTE]

I thought squats were a great overall core exercise. I have done alot of research with lifts and what they do but am still rather uninformed.

Squats / Like Deadlifts hit a lot of muscle groups.

Check out this site for more info ... [url]http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html[/url]

As for 4 day split, Checkout the workout Forums, there's tons of variations on 4 day splits, 5 day splits, 3, etc.. it's all up to your personal goals.

But try and hit your muscle groups hard and let them rest for at least 72 hours and realize some workouts hit other muscles, just not as hard.