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Awesome! Glad to hear you're focusing on an effective plan. I just started madcow 5x5 myself. I love the simplicity and effectiveness of sticking to compound ex

by pvnick 13y ago

Awesome! Glad to hear you're focusing on an effective plan. I just started madcow 5x5 myself. I love the simplicity and effectiveness of sticking to compound exercises. Plus I don't look like an idiot doing a one-legged dumbbell curl on one of those squishy half-sphere things. Edit: btw, for anybody who read JPKab's comment and is wondering what we mean when we say "beginner," we mean squatting less than 250lbs or so and benching less than near 200lbs range. A novice in the strength-building sense can still be stronger than 99% of people you'll encounter in this world. Starting strength will get you there really effectively.

levint 13y ago
Okay, so I'll bite. The main reason I never hit the gym was/is because I'm too embarrassed to be seen exercising by others. Interestingly, my problem is that I'm too thin (with a bmi of 18 now) so my goal was/is to become both stronger and huger. How about if I get this machine (or something like it): http://eatinggreat.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MACHINE-WEIGHTS-THE-FITNESS-WORKOUT1.jpeg http://eatinggreat.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MACHINE-WE... Could I then be fine following the SS book you mention with it?
- pvnick 13y ago
  I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling self-conscious about going to the gym! Side-note: if big buff fitness gurus see a beginner doing squats with good technique they're going to have a TON of respect for you regardless of the weight you're lifting or what kind of shape you're in. The machine you linked to isn't going to help you with SS - you'd want to eliminate machines and cables from your fitness vocabulary alltogether - but it's still better than not exercising. SS would call for a setup like this: http://www.littleblokefitness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/Squat-rack-FID-bench-oly-bar-plates.jpg http://www.littleblokefitness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/wpsc... assuming of course that you can move that bench out of the way. Looks a lot less expensive!
  - levint 13y ago
    I've never signed up for a gym, and don't know the first thing about the customs that rule the place. So, I guess here's a question to start with: do normal gyms have workout trainers I could pay to get guidance from? Or do I just ignore everyone and try to follow the SS book to the best of my abilities. Question #2: are all gyms created equal, should I 'shop' around for a decent one with decent equipment or whatever, or just join the 'snap fitness' gym that is literally 2 minute walk away from my place of residence?
    - pvnick 13y ago
      There's only a few exercises you'll need to learn, all described very thoroughly in SS. A good gym will have people working there that will happily critique your form for free. They want you to be safe! Avoid gyms without a squat rack (yes those exist, ugh). Things that matter: squat rack, affordability, and operating hours that work for you. Not being super-packed all the time is also really nice.
    - michael_michael 13y ago
      The same kind of self-consciousness motivated me to build a gym in my garage. If that's an option and you have the space, go for it. I built a power rack using the plans from home gym bodybuilding[1], got a Burgener & Rippetoe Olympic Bar from Rogue Fitness[2], and weights from Play it Again Sports. I read SS for detailed tips on form, and started on Stronglifts 5x5, which has a really handy app to track your progress. The total cost of the gym was probably in the neighborhood of $500, though you could get it done for much less if you went with a cheaper or second-hand bar -- that was the highest-cost item. [1]http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com/homemade-power-rack.html http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com/homemade-power-rack.htm... [2]http://www.roguefitness.com/burgener-rippetoe-men-s-bar.php http://www.roguefitness.com/burgener-rippetoe-men-s-bar.php
      - pvnick 13y ago
        That's incredible! I might have to try building that sometime. I love the idea of walking out to my backyard with my shirt off and doing a bunch of squats in the sun! Plus I would never have to wait on people doing curls in the squat rack ;)

by pvnick 13y ago

levint 13y ago

Okay, so I'll bite. The main reason I never hit the gym was/is because I'm too embarrassed to be seen exercising by others. Interestingly, my problem is that I'm too thin (with a bmi of 18 now) so my goal was/is to become both stronger and huger. How about if I get this machine (or something like it): http://eatinggreat.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MACHINE-WEIGHTS-THE-FITNESS-WORKOUT1.jpeg http://eatinggreat.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MACHINE-WE... Could I then be fine following the SS book you mention with it?

pvnick 13y ago
I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling self-conscious about going to the gym! Side-note: if big buff fitness gurus see a beginner doing squats with good technique they're going to have a TON of respect for you regardless of the weight you're lifting or what kind of shape you're in. The machine you linked to isn't going to help you with SS - you'd want to eliminate machines and cables from your fitness vocabulary alltogether - but it's still better than not exercising. SS would call for a setup like this: http://www.littleblokefitness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/Squat-rack-FID-bench-oly-bar-plates.jpg http://www.littleblokefitness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/wpsc... assuming of course that you can move that bench out of the way. Looks a lot less expensive!
- levint 13y ago
  I've never signed up for a gym, and don't know the first thing about the customs that rule the place. So, I guess here's a question to start with: do normal gyms have workout trainers I could pay to get guidance from? Or do I just ignore everyone and try to follow the SS book to the best of my abilities. Question #2: are all gyms created equal, should I 'shop' around for a decent one with decent equipment or whatever, or just join the 'snap fitness' gym that is literally 2 minute walk away from my place of residence?
  - pvnick 13y ago
    There's only a few exercises you'll need to learn, all described very thoroughly in SS. A good gym will have people working there that will happily critique your form for free. They want you to be safe! Avoid gyms without a squat rack (yes those exist, ugh). Things that matter: squat rack, affordability, and operating hours that work for you. Not being super-packed all the time is also really nice.
  - michael_michael 13y ago
    The same kind of self-consciousness motivated me to build a gym in my garage. If that's an option and you have the space, go for it. I built a power rack using the plans from home gym bodybuilding[1], got a Burgener & Rippetoe Olympic Bar from Rogue Fitness[2], and weights from Play it Again Sports. I read SS for detailed tips on form, and started on Stronglifts 5x5, which has a really handy app to track your progress. The total cost of the gym was probably in the neighborhood of $500, though you could get it done for much less if you went with a cheaper or second-hand bar -- that was the highest-cost item. [1]http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com/homemade-power-rack.html http://www.home-gym-bodybuilding.com/homemade-power-rack.htm... [2]http://www.roguefitness.com/burgener-rippetoe-men-s-bar.php http://www.roguefitness.com/burgener-rippetoe-men-s-bar.php
    - pvnick 13y ago
      That's incredible! I might have to try building that sometime. I love the idea of walking out to my backyard with my shirt off and doing a bunch of squats in the sun! Plus I would never have to wait on people doing curls in the squat rack ;)