Weight Training advice

[BulgarianPride]

After a few years of basically doing nothing,i've re-joined a gym and decided to start weight training again.

I'm not looking to bulk up,just looking to increase my size a little and 'cut up'.

What would be the best way to go about this?
Should I concentrate on certain muscle groups(arms and chest monday,back and shoulders wednesday,legs and abs fridays) or should i do an all over workout 3 days a week to begin with and then work the muscle groups individually?

You need to set specific goals. You said you are not looking to "bulk up". What does that mean? You don't want more muscle, as that is what a bulk up is. gaining muscle with minimal fat gain. You want "cut up" but what are you cutting? You need muscle in order to "cut".

Everything in weight training is goal orientated. The goals are your most important part, after nutrition. Post your goals of what exactly you are trying to achieve and i may be able to help you out. I do have experience in weight training, did a natural bodybuilding competition last year, got 2nd. Currently trying to "bulk up" to 250 pounds. (50 more pounds to go :) ) and then i will get ready for my second competition. Probably in 1-2 years for now.

Weight training is not something you pick up to impress girls. It's a way of life. :)

For someone who is just starting out , you shouldn't be worried about "cutting". Any weights you lift will increase your muscle, it just will. But if you do it properly , you gain, ( a lot) more muscle.

I disagree about doing full body workouts. Only time i did it was 2 days before the competition to get fully carb depleted before a "carb up". I would start as simple as possible and go slowly. Learn the technique of each exercise before you do it, and avoid squats in the beginning. Do a the leg press instead. Make sure you forget about your ego!! Splits might be too much, but you are your own judge.

If you decide to do splits, i wouldn't for the first few weeks/months. You should do the "standard" splits. I am trying to remember how i started, but it was 4 years ago, and all the new information has deleted the old one.

A non split workout might be-

Monday- Chest
Tuesday - Back
Wednesday- Off/ or Shoulders. ( shoulders get a lot of stress from the Chest workout so not doing Shoulders of the first few weeks will not kill them )
Thursday- Legs. <--- VERY IMPORTANT BODY PART
Friday - Arms( biceps and triceps) <-"beach muscles" but are very much needed, i do arms last as Chest and back use a lot of the biceps and triceps)

Also, doing light weight will not get you lean( you need muscle to be lean in my vocabulary, otherwise you are skinny) . Doing high reps with low weight will NOT make your muscles larger/leaner.

Hope that helps anyone...

 

[california blue]

By the way P90X is the shizzle

Im just starting phase 2 and its really kicking my ass. I think im going to look pretty beastly after 90 days.

I've not followed the program 100% - ive added some of my own stuff. For example on the friday when you are supposed to do legs and back - i do pilates on a reformer. I really dont need to be working my legs after years of footie and pilates lengthens my muscles after lifting the weights all week. Also i hate yoga so i do extra cardio that day.

I even canceled my gym membership and do all the workouts at home - its perfect and keeps you motivated.

After 90 days i'll be doing pilates and cardio for 3 weeks then start all over again.

i recomend it to anyone - expect girls - unless you want to look like dude.

 

[Ducky_]

Quick question

I've started getting back into training again lately (past month) and I've been mainly building my pecs and abs up.

The problem is I've started slouching a bit lately, is this due to building up my pecs and abs?

If so, what exercises should I be doing to straighten up my posture? I don't have access to a gym but wouldn't mind paying for equipment if it's worth it.

Anyone? Help would be very much appreciated. :)

 

[nu774ll]

Robinho - it will be all that cash in your front pockets u greedy twat ;)

Jokes aside, you want to be doing core exercises mate, doing ab work should be making your abs stronger so would give you better posture so i cant see how it would be that...concentrate on your ab work and throw in some ork on your obliques (sides)

 

[ono]

Quick question

I've started getting back into training again lately (past month) and I've been mainly building my pecs and abs up.

The problem is I've started slouching a bit lately, is this due to building up my pecs and abs?

If so, what exercises should I be doing to straighten up my posture? I don't have access to a gym but wouldn't mind paying for equipment if it's worth it.

Anyone? Help would be very much appreciated. :)

You could do with doing some core work and some back work. Maybe by some dumb bells or a barbell and do some 'bent over rows' otherwise you'll eventually look unbalanced.

 

[bluebean]

After a few years of basically doing nothing,i've re-joined a gym and decided to start weight training again.

I'm not looking to bulk up,just looking to increase my size a little and 'cut up'.

What would be the best way to go about this?
Should I concentrate on certain muscle groups(arms and chest monday,back and shoulders wednesday,legs and abs fridays) or should i do an all over workout 3 days a week to begin with and then work the muscle groups individually?

I find that as long as i am still able to raise a full pint to my mouth i dont need to train.

Hope this helps.

lol

 

[Ducky_]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[terry-benchod]

By the way P90X is the shizzle

Im just starting phase 2 and its really kicking my ass. I think im going to look pretty beastly after 90 days.

I've not followed the program 100% - ive added some of my own stuff. For example on the friday when you are supposed to do legs and back - i do pilates on a reformer. I really dont need to be working my legs after years of footie and pilates lengthens my muscles after lifting the weights all week. Also i hate yoga so i do extra cardio that day.

I even canceled my gym membership and do all the workouts at home - its perfect and keeps you motivated.

After 90 days i'll be doing pilates and cardio for 3 weeks then start all over again.

i recomend it to anyone - expect girls - unless you want to look like dude.

100% agree with this,although with me not being fit enough to do p90x i have started at the bottom with power 90 lvl1-2 moved on to lvl 3-4 last week and in 45 days i have lost 16lb in weight. Will be doing master series before i get to p90x,although people on Beachbody.com reckon if you can do power 90 master series then the x is a doddle.Keep pushing play and bring it!!

 

[jd-blue]

im trying to lose a bit of the bulk at the mo, im not "overweight" but when i look at myself i jus wanna lose the flab that i have around the belly, any ideas?

 

[pee dubya]

im trying to lose a bit of the bulk at the mo, im not "overweight" but when i look at myself i jus wanna lose the flab that i have around the belly, any ideas?

Run and run and run and run. Also just don't eat energy dense foods. Excess fat will melt off if you've got the dicipline. There's no magic solution, it's just hard work and persistance.