New guy seeking advice

Killsocket · Post by **Killsocket** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:08 pm

Hello,
I am in the beginning stages of trying to get fit. I am a very big dude motivated to make a change. I am 6'2" and 290lb.

I am learning quite a bit on this site about nutrition so I am getting that in order. I will be visiting the nutrition forum in regards to that.

What goal is, is that I lose weight and "tone" and maybe build muscle in upper body. I am currently just about to start week 3 of the "couch to 5K program" so I am getting cardio workout.

However, where I would appreciate some advice is in this area. I have dumbbells that only go to 12.5 lbs each (they are the adjustable kind). I can do plenty of dumbbell exercises as a quick search on the internet can give them to you to do, but here's the question.

Could that be too light? I just did some workouts with them and here are some numbers:

Concentration curls were 1 X 25 and 2 X 20
Flat Chest Flies were 1X 20 and 2 X 15
Hammer Curls were 3 X 20

Is this too many reps or is this about right on? I am going to add more exercises to this regimen but I thought maybe this is a starting point.

I will begin to look into ab work as well (any advice there as well?)

I am aiming for a high protein - low to mid carb diet, unless you smart people advise different. But that might give you an idea of where mind is at.

Thanks!

Joshua88 · Post by **Joshua88** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:12 pm

You are on the right track with starting a well rounded nutrition plan and starting a running program, but you might want to invest in a set of better dumbbells or try to find a good gym. Your rep count is close but you want to feel "The Burn" when you are trying to lose weight. Its hard to put a set number on reps for an individual when you have not had a fitness test done, but your rep count is going to be high.

Be carefull with the types off workouts you get from the internet they are generic exercises that dont always work for everyone.

Make sure that you are getting a full body workout not just upper body
but lower body as well.

For your abs try to buy a workout ball that you sit on and do some ab routines with that. It will keep you off the ground.

Just from what you have said I would say that you are headed in they right direction. Keep up the good work and dont give up.

lens_d · Post by **lens_d** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:19 pm

Youâ€™re going to need way heaver weights if you want to accomplish anything. Your best bet is to join a gym itâ€™s hard to rely on dumbbells alone.

Your biggest factor is going to be diet though so make sure you have that on track as well.

Reps are too high

Killsocket · Post by **Killsocket** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:09 pm

Thanks for the input.

I am actually pursuing a gym membership currently.

I am guessing 12.5lb is too light or I am going to invest in a lot of time just doing high reps.

I would think 25 lb dumbbells would cut those reps in half as well as using machines at the gym.

lens_d · Post by **lens_d** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 3:25 pm

doing anything is better than nothing.

A gym membership is the way to go. like i said it's hard rely on dumbells alone. I mean if you have no other option its ok. I assume thats not the case

Killsocket · Post by **Killsocket** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:12 pm

Well, I joined and gym and never really ever being in one, I was in awe of the equipment. Plenty of free weights and machines. The machines look to be the way to go but I am not sure.

Plenty of cardio equipment too. I can't wait to play.

Killsocket · Post by **Killsocket** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:06 pm

Ok, I went and did some workouts on the machines as well as ran as a part of warmup.

The problem is that I am unsure how many reps I should be doing on various machines? 5-8? 3-5? 10+?

I usually was about 100LB on each machine and some I was able to do more reps that others.

I did about 3 sets of 8 for seated bicep curls.
I did about 3 sets of 8 for seated dips (pushing down)
I did about 3 sets of 10 for seated ab machine
I did about 3 sets of 6 for chest press machine
Forgive me, I am new to this, but I can't remember the workout name, but it was a chest exercise where you bring your arms together in front of you
I did about 3 reps of 5 for that workout.

As mentioned I did some running prior to this and finished biking a mile. I plan to incorporate more lower body stuff as I learn how the machines work.

I am kind of lost on what routine and what order to use these machines as well as how many reps and sets to do. I am looking to build some muscle.