Figuring out exactly how much weight to use when starting out.

[verdisQUO]

How would a noob at weight lifting determine what weight is appropriate when starting out? I'm starting my weight training soon (Ripptoe's Starting Strength) and when I go to exercises, like the bench press, I want to do the required sets (3x5), yet I don't know the appropriate weight I should start out with. So I go the day before and just lift til' I can't lift no more, or is there more of a calculated approach I can take?

[derekk1]

take a week to figure out your maxes. start with the bar and move up.

/thread

[jdelarod]

No, no, no.

Dont worry about doing a 1RM max as a beginner. Not the safest thing to do with squats or deadlifts anyway until you get your form down.

For bench, start with the bar and press it 10 times. Keep adding 10 pounds. Once you cant press it 10 times, thats your working weight.

For squats, start with the bar, and stay parallel. Add 10 pounds a workout until youstart to feel it.

Deadlifts - you are a big guy, start with 135. You dont want much less than that unless you got bumper plates anyway.