Weight training Complete novice

[24772433]

Hi everyone, I must admit. Am a complete novice when it comes to weight training, body building. Buy when I look at how toned and lean you can become, I would love to look half as good as that. Problem is I haven't really got a clue. I have visited some local gyms for advice in my area but they don't seem to be able to help me. I live in the uk Worcestershire area. So I have got a diet to start from this site and a training plan to follow. So I will follow that to the best of my ability, but if anyone as any advice that would be great. I am female 41 yrs old and weigh 12.7 stone which is terrible. So desperate to find a plan that works for me. Thanks
Lindsey.

[illiniStrive]

First off, welcome to the forums!

Second, as a novice, the "stickies" are the greatest resource of information you'll find on this site, much moreso than the Supersite. Stickies are threads that are permanently stuck to the top of a given forum. So do a little browsing, and you'll find a lot of answers to questions you may not even knew you had.

Without a doubt make sure you give these a look:
Calculating Calorie and Macronutrient Needs
Training Program Basics

[24772433]

Well I am joining local gym on wed, would this be to many classes for a beginner
Mon bodytone and body balance = 2 hrs plus weight training
Tue. Aquafit and bodyattack = 2 hrs plus weight training
Wed body combat and body pump = 2 hrs plus weights
Thur dance workout and body pump = 2 hrs pls weights
Fri nothing
Sat dance workout and bodycombat = 2 hrs plus weights
Sun nothing

Also eat 4/5 small meals per day following 40/40/20 plan.

[megdaig]

Well I am joining local gym on wed, would this be to many classes for a beginner
Mon bodytone and body balance = 2 hrs plus weight training
Tue. Aquafit and bodyattack = 2 hrs plus weight training
Wed body combat and body pump = 2 hrs plus weights
Thur dance workout and body pump = 2 hrs pls weights
Fri nothing
Sat dance workout and bodycombat = 2 hrs plus weights
Sun nothing

Also eat 4/5 small meals per day following 40/40/20 plan.

That does seem like quite a lot especially if you've never worked out before. You don't want to burn yourself out.

When you say 2 hours PLUS weights, are you saying the classes are two hours long and then you will lift after that? Or are the classes 2 hours long that incorporate weights into the classes?

If this is truly your first time in the gym and you would rather do the body pump classes, start with 2 to 3 days for the first few weeks as your body will need time to adapt to the increase in work load. You'll definitely be sore a few days after your first class.

I know we all want to reach our goal by like yesterday, but when it comes to losing fat and building muscle, it takes time, and more rarely equals better. Your body makes changes and repairs itself during rest, not in the gym.

[24772433]

Yes it is two hour workouts back to back then was going to use the weights, I haven't exercised properly for six months, I love body pump classes and if you think I will get better results I am happy to do pump 3/4 times per week. thanks for advice.
Can I Just say megdaig you look fab if I could look half as good as you I would be happy. Can you tell what you eat, if you don't mind me asking I am so desperate to get it right.

[penny0527]

Personally I think the classes are a waste of time. Chances are the body you are looking to acquire doesn't come from just losing fat. It comes from gaining muscle and the only way you can do that is by lifting weights. Classes take so much more time to see results. I've never taken a class.

[lilmisspink]

I started off doing classes when i first joined my gym, because thats all i was comfortable with. I was intimidated by the weights room tbh. After a few months of classes i decided i liked pump classes the best because i actually enjoyed lifting weights, so cut the classes and started lifting heavy instead. Went back and did a pump class a few months later and the weight i was using had literally tripled! If you want to gain strength and lose fat lifting heavy will get you there faster than pump classes ever would.
I look back now and am annoyed i wasted so much time with classes, but at the same time if it wasnt for them i would have never felt comfortable in the gym

It does look like a lot you've got planned, i wouldn't recommend doubling up pump and lifting on the same day. If you come out of pump and can still complete your weights routine you havent used enough weight :P
Things like body balance i think are fine though. Sometimes i find yoga after a session helps me, but yeah, two classes and then weights is definately a bit much.

[24772433]

Thanks yes it sounds good to me as i love the weights, but not sure how many reps on each muscle group. I think someone said 3 x15 reps and you should struggle with last 3/4. do you think I should do cardio for weight loss as well like treadmill, bike and cross trainer, say 30 mins at really pushing myself. I have to have induction with trainer wed anyway but chances are they know nothing about body building. once gain I am so thankful for your advice, I really do appreciate it.
Lindsey x