Weight Machines to Free Weights

[RaeVynn]

Just a thought, but if the gym has blocks or a squat cage (that can be adjusted), you can lift just the bar from the right height.

[missjazzyfe]

I don't know what you mean by block, and I'm not too sure what a cage looks like.

If it helps right now I'm going to Planet Fitness. It's not the most high tech gym, but when I signed up I wasn't sure how committed I was and the price point was right. I like it so far though.

[RaeVynn]

Blocks. Big square things that you can rest the ends of the bar on, so that it is up off the ground when you start lifting. You might grab some step aerobic platforms and pile them up, if nothing else.

[missjazzyfe]

Has anyone followed the work out guide in The New Rules of Lifting for Women?

[bigm141414]

Has anyone followed the work out guide in The New Rules of Lifting for Women?

Plenty have here on the boards. Weirdquark is a big advocate of the programs.

[morethanjustamom]

MirGSS has done it too I believe. I have the book, but the workout doesn't exactly jive with what my husband and I are already doing, plus I don't have all the equipment/weights/space necessary for some of the exercises.

[missjazzyfe]

I'm gonna try and get in contact with them. Thank you.

[Dmaias]

Start light with barbells and compound movements.

this will help you to get the "skills" (balance and coordination).

Then add weight according to your goals.

Then add a couple of dumbells exercises somedays to vary a little (because your muscles will get bored and will need to do something else or you will hit a wall in your progress), this is because dumbells require more coordination/time with both arms (one doesn't simply push first the right hand and then the left hand).

Good luck and HAVE FUN! <----- really, if you can, it will make you progress faster... don't bench press if you hate it

there's other stuff out there (like declined push ups, dips, military presses, etc).