****Official Beginner Question Thread****

[Soulman]

Originally Posted by kickpushcoast

when you get strong.

obv soulman has nothing to worry about with this method

Setting myself up for self-pwnage is so easy. I will channel Tate and lift 100 for reps before x-mas!

[milesdyson]

just relax your abs and let your stomach distend into your belt so your waist circumference is maximized. larger base = stronger.

[Soulman]

Actually lol'ed

[Tash]

Originally Posted by theblackkeys

Notebook and pencil 4 lyfe imo

Absolutely! There are so many things you can do with a paper notepad that you can't do with an iPhone. Drop it, drip on it, slip on it, etc...

[zinna]

All comments are welcomed. I play D-line and try to get stronger in the off season. Im swedish so Im not sure of the name of all the exercises but hopefully you will understand anyway.

I use a 8/6/4 scheme on the big exercises (the ones without a number after them)

Monday Legs

Squats
Lunges 3x8
Bulgarian split squats 3x8-10
Pullthroughs 3x10-12
Calfs, either standing in smith or laying in legpress 4x15

Tuesday Arms and Abs

Tight grip bench (not 100% sure on the name of this one, but bench press with a tighter grip)
Dips 3x8-10
French press 3x8
Dumbbell biceps curls 3x8
Crunches 4x15-20

Thursday Chest and Shoulders

Bench
45 degree dumbbell press ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwguM90yKQ4 )
Flyes 3x8
Military press 3x8-10
Dumbbell shoulder exercise, start with the dumbbells in front of the body and then to the side until at least 90 degrees, 3x8

Friday Back and Abs

Deadlift
Chins/Pullups 3x8
Dumbbell row 3x8
Shrugs 3x15-20
Abs, crunches 4x15-20 or brutal bench 4x until failure ( not sure of the name http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTrKUvjy9C4 )

[MI101]

FAQ

[anklebreaker]

Originally Posted by zinna

I play D-line and try to get stronger in the off season.

Tuesday Arms and Abs

Tight grip bench (not 100% sure on the name of this one, but bench press with a tighter grip)
Dips 3x8-10
French press 3x8
Dumbbell biceps curls 3x8
Crunches 4x15-20

These don't appear to be in alignment.

[badbeats247]

excited abt life can't get enough sleep. no matter wat i do i will wake up after 4 or 5 hrs of sleep ex sleep 12 wake up 430 or sleep 1 wake 5ish. wtf can i do to get more sleep. it is really taking a toll on my afternoon classes.

[Hey Jewb]

Originally Posted by badbeats247

excited abt life can't get enough sleep. no matter wat i do i will wake up after 4 or 5 hrs of sleep ex sleep 12 wake up 430 or sleep 1 wake 5ish. wtf can i do to get more sleep. it is really taking a toll on my afternoon classes.

Excited about life? You can only get 4/5 hours before you have to wake up? Jee-zuz.

I bet you're the kind of guy who whistles on his way to work on the morning, talking on the train when everyone else is horrified to be awake at that hour, and even have the audacity to smile at people before midday. BEFORE MIDDAY FOR CHRISSAKES. God you make me sick.

(Just kidding.)

What's your exercise routine and diet like? Always a good place to start for this kind of thing.

[busch pounders]

I am thinking of starting an SS routine... couple questions:

when is the most optimal time to get in any cardio to this routine? Off day? After work out? I have been trying to read up on this as much as possible but seem to be getting some conflicting information.

Mostly want to mix in some running, HIIT, and cycling.

[HalfSlant]

Do you have a reason for doing cardio, or just "because people say its a good thing to do"? You can get it in wherever you can fit it in at first, but eventually if you are lifting with enough intensity, you are probably going to need the off days to recover.

[busch pounders]

Originally Posted by HalfSlant

Do you have a reason for doing cardio, or just "because people say its a good thing to do"? You can get it in wherever you can fit it in at first, but eventually if you are lifting with enough intensity, you are probably going to need the off days to recover.

I mostly just enjoy running... Working out for me has pretty much always involved running. I mainly just wanted to see if it was possible to mix the two together (also, I am not talking about crazy distances.. 8-10 mi a week)

[MI101]

that kind of distance would be considered active recovery. do it on off days. do NOT do HIIT.

[Neil S]

I have a couple of questions, guys.

Suffice it to say after some problems with the onset of asthma, and then some work-related stress, my personal exercise routines are a wreck. I've lost all my momentum and my habits. I've had to buy new pants. I'm not overweight but I'd like to maintain, like I did back before my exercise habits got ruined.

So it was great timing that I ran into this forum through an ATF whine. I'm thinking some of the information here could be useful to me.

I have two questions though: Assume I don't have a large amounts of space or money to invest. Is Starting Strength going to be a problem for me?

Also, if Starting Strength is the definitive book for starting out with weights, understanding how it works and how to use them well, is there an equivalent book for cardio work?

thanks,

[Soulman]

You either need to join a gym or you need, at the minimum, squat stands, a bench and a barbell + free weights. Exactly how much space this takes up others can prolly answer better.

You probably need to state your goals more concretely as well as stats to get the best advice.