It can be really daunting lifting weights for the first time. As soon as you leave the safety of the elliptical machine and open that door to the weight room, you may feel that there is an area of fitness that is just not for you. It is really worth taking that plunge, however, as not only is muscle training great for your general wellness and wellbeing, it can help to burn loads of calories and tone you up in a way that the treadmill just isn’t able.
There’s also the small point that once you feel confident in the weights room, you will really feel like a badass!
The key with lifting weights for the first time is to start small. Before you start piling the weights onto the barbell, make sure that you learn the correct form first of all. Start by using very light or even no weight on the bar and make sure you fully understand how to do the workouts properly. There is no point in lifting weights that are too heavy for you, as you will be doing so with very bad form, and can easily injure yourself.
It will take a bit of trial and error to find the weights that are right for you, so start by looking at something of around 5 – 15 pounds and seeing if you can do 10 reps with this on the bar. If you find that you can do 10 reps but your muscles are just about exhausted at the end, this indicates that this is the correct weight for you to use.
It’s also really worth talking to an expert when you first start your weight training. Find out if your gym offers any kind of free introductory sessions with their personal trainers, as it may simply be a one-off session that you need to get started. The advice and guidance of an expert is invaluable.
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