#nub #n00b #n3wb1e Advice ?

[Jnic0]

Hey guys, I'm new here and I need help!

I'm 19, 160cm, (yes I'm short) weigh 49-59kg with a BF% of around 8%.

 

I'm not too sure where to start, but I want to build muscle and get a little bigger, but not hulk (if you know what I mean) more of a lean toned body shape. I'm really serious about this.

I've already started with the beginners workout Steve has given us newbies, but I'm looking for proper direction. 

 

Any advice/replies are hugely appreciated !

 

Jnic0

[sylph]

Welcome to the rebellion!

 

Getting to hulk status takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work, so don't worry that you'll suddenly get there by accident. The beginners' workout is a great place to start.

 

If you want to get bigger/build muscle/gain weight, a lot of that is going to come down to your diet. Muscles need fuel (primarily protein) to grow. What does your diet look like now?

[Thalianost]

I agree with Sylph, diet is going to play a big part in your plan.  Also, once you are comfortable with the beginners' workout, it would probably be helpful to start lifting weights or going into some more intense strength training to build up your muscle. 

 

As Sylph said, hulking out takes time.  You won't wake up one day unable to fit through the door and shout "Dear God!  What have I done?!"  You will be able to stop bulking at whatever level suits you.  Then, you can make whatever adjustments to your plan you need to in order to achieve your desired results. 

[Jnic0]

Thanks heaps for your guys' replies. A massive advantage I guess I have is that I've been on the Paleo Diet for quite a while, due to other health reasons. I love meat and eat heaps of it while adding different ranges of vegetables. I'm not counting any calories, just eating when my body wants to - I eat heaps of what I want. I'm naturally skinny, so atm I'm just eating without worrying about gaining fat. I think I'll start incorporating weights into more of my body workouts then . 

 

Just a question about the beginner workout. To build more muscle (assuming diet is good), for example, as a general rule, how many pushups/pull ups should I be doing per set ( Icurrently do 1 set per exercise per circuit and I repeat the circuit for a total of 3 times)?

 

I do 10 pushups/pullups and a minute plank amongst the other exercises, but I feel they are getting easy. Should I extend the length of time I'm doing them or should I up the intensity?

 

Thanks heaps,

Jnic0

[Thalianost]

As a general rule of weightlifting:  If you want to build muscle mass and strength, do low reps with high weight.  Doing a greater number of reps is good for building muscle endurance, but generally doesn't do much for size. 

 

Of course, for one just starting out, any amount of reps will help build muscle, but for the fastest increase in muscle mass, best to go with small sets of heavy weights. 

 

If you don't have access to weights yet but want to start moving more toward strength training, perhaps you could wear a backpack with some books in it while you do your bodyweight program.  That should help build some muscle.