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weight training advice for novice

Posted on 2/1/22 at 11:01 am
Posted by BigPapiDoesItAgain
Amérique du Nord
Member since Nov 2009
3472 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 11:01 am
So, I'm an older guy (53 years old) and decided I wanted to start strength training about a month ago after not having done any resistance training since I had rotator cuff surgery in 2015. My goal was to lose a little weight and get my body composition back to where it was a few years ago.

I'm 5'9" and weigh in at 157 lbs down from 170 lbs. on Oct 31 (happy at that weight and could live a few pounds on either side of that). I went to one of the nutrition stores because I wanted a quick estimate of body composition and measured at 13.9% body fat. Can't recall all the other numbers off the top of my head, but you probably get the picture from that.

I won't go too much into my diet, except to say that I log calories (meticulously), and am slightly hypocaloric with a goal to get to .8-1 gm protein per pound of body weight per day (I have a hard time getting there and staying within my calorie budget and usually am around .65 gm/lb).

Here is what I do for resistance training:

"A" day: Mostly chest, shoulders and core - lat bar, bar bench press, dumbbell bench press, dumbbell military press, dips, converging shoulder press, seated chest press, flys (those three are machines), captain's chair leg raises, incline sit ups and Roman Chair back extensions.

"B" day: Mostly lower body, arms, and core - Squats on smith machine, leg press, barbell curls, dumb bell curls, triceps cable pulldowns, face pulls, and shoulder shrugs with the same core workout noted above.

I get my cardio from stairs (usually around 100 flights a day in my building) and tennis a couple of times a week. Gym is 4-6 times a week.

I would appreciate suggestions on modifying or streamlining what I'm doing for most efficient gains, I'm pretty well maxed out on the amount of time I want to spend relative to work/life/family balance - not looking to bulk, just get stronger and stay lean. I would like to avoid a trainer so as to maintain my time flexibility.
Posted by Vastmind
B Ara
Member since Sep 2013
5322 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 11:17 am to
I would skip the Smith machine and leg press and learn real low bar squats. Maybe consider buying the book Starting Strength.

The MAPS programming from Mind Pump is also good.
This post was edited on 2/1/22 at 11:18 am
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
37983 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 11:24 am to
learn to train with the barbell.

i recommend starting with either greyskull lp, the starting strength lp or stronglifts lp or 531 begineer prep school.

the above mentioned maps program is also good.

read the book the barbell prescription by mark rippetoe and andy baker. Andy makes a living training the older population, much older than you.

13.9% bodyfat is very good.



here is my goto greyskull template for most people:

Week 1:
• Monday-
o Press-2x5,1x5+
o High Incline DB Press-3x10-12
o Weighted Chin-2x6-8
o Yates Row-2x6-8
o Squat-2x5,1x5+

• Wednesday-
o Incline Barbell Bench-2x5,1x5+
o Barbell Curl- 2x10-12
o Close Grip Bench-2x8,1x8+
o DB Side Lateral Raise Super-setted with Face Pulls-2x10-12
o Deadlift-1x5+

• Friday-
o Press-2x5,1x5+
o High Incline DB Press-3x10-12
o Weighted Chin-2x6-8
o Yates Row-2x6-8
o Squat-2x5,1x5+

Week 2:
• Monday-
o Incline Barbell Bench-2x5,1x5+
o Barbell Curl- 2x10-12
o Close Grip Bench-2x8,1x8+
o DB Side Lateral Raise Super-setted with Face Pulls-2x10-12
o Squat-2x5,1x5+

• Wednesday-
o Press-2x5,1x5+
o High Incline DB Press-3x10-12
o Weighted Chin-2x6-8
o Yates Row-2x6-8
o Deadlift-1x5+

• Friday-
o Incline Barbell Bench-2x5,1x5+
o Barbell Curl- 2x10-12
o Close Grip Bench-2x8,1x8+
o DB Side Lateral Raise Super-setted with Face Pulls-2x10-12
o Squat-2x5,1x5+
Posted by Vastmind
B Ara
Member since Sep 2013
5322 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 11:37 am to
As a aside, I'm not some meathead. I look like a Jewish pharmacist, but squats and deadlifts made me my best self.
Posted by Jon A thon
Member since May 2019
2531 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 11:53 am to
I still don't love deadlifts, but can't agree more on squats. I remember avoiding them in high school. Then any time I joined a gym, I'd use any excuse to skip. Over the last year, I really embraced starting well within my means and learning to squat. My numbers have gone up significantly, my back pain is virtually gone, and I can see differences in the mirror in my legs and core....it's truly helped motivate me to keep working out. I'm still doing dead lifts, bench, rows, pull ups, etc., so it's not squat on it's own. But I do think it's the most important movement that I do.
Posted by bad93ex
Walnut Cove
Member since Sep 2018
36070 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 1:19 pm to
quote:

squats and deadlifts made me my best self.


It seems like every time it is my leg day every single one of the squat racks is being occupied, mostly by women doing sky humping.
Posted by BlackPot
Member since Oct 2016
2676 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 2:42 pm to
I think learning how to properly deadlift is essential for everyone. Especially for anyone aging. It's good to know how to pick something up without hurting yourself. You can be 60 years old picking up a grandkid and throwing your back out.
Posted by Maytheporkbewithyou
Member since Aug 2016
14127 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 6:08 pm to
quote:

I think learning how to properly deadlift


Not sure why, but when I use dumbbells deadlifting, I keep my form perfect and my hamstrings will be sore for a few days.

When I load a barbell I really lose focus on my form. I think I focus more on my grip and I'm not getting good lifts. I'm starting to frustrate myself.
Posted by supadave3
Houston, TX
Member since Dec 2005
32166 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 8:24 pm to
My situation is pretty similar. Im 46, overall decent health but I’m I’m very very thin. I guess it’s better than being fat but I need to put on some healthy weight. I ride a bike for cardio but mostly just because I enjoy it and good for my mental well-being. BUT, I need to gain weight. I can’t just eat ice cream 3 times a day or I’ll be skinny with a gut and diabetes. I’ve been saying for months that I would get in a gym and I finally started this week. I’m MUCH weaker than I thought I would be. I need a solid total body strength training workout. I need to eat more. I already watch what I eat and mostly eat oatmeal, eggs, sandwich wraps, and lots of tuna. Tomatoes tortillas, skinless chicken and avacados are staples of my diet.

I need help. I’m skinny but feel like I’m overall out of shape bigtime. It seems that I’ve convinced myself that thin = healthy and that just isn’t true.
This post was edited on 2/1/22 at 8:31 pm
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
37983 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 8:30 pm to
quote:

My situation is pretty similar. Im 46, overall decent health but I’m I’m very very thin. I guess it’s better than being fat but I need to put on some healthy weight. I ride a bike for cardio but mostly just because I enjoy it’s good for my mental wee-being. BUT, I need to gain weight. I can’t just eat ice cream 3 times a day or I’ll be skinny with a gut and diabetes. I’ve been saying for months that I would get in a gym and I finally started this week. I’m MUCH weaker than I thought I would be. I need a solid total body strength training workout. I need to eat more. I already watch what I eat and mostly eat oatmeal, eggs, sandwich wraps, and lots of time. Tomatoes tortillas, and avacados are staples of my diet.

I need help. I’m skinny but feel like I’m overall out of shape bigtime. It seems that I’ve convinced myself that thin = healthy and that just isn’t true.


Eat more meat. Lots of red meat and eggs. Like 6-8 eggs and 1lbs minimum a day.

Download the app stronglifts and do the program as laid put starting with just the bar.

When you stall, switch to the greyskull program I posted above or download and start the ppsa Grasshopper program.
This post was edited on 2/1/22 at 8:32 pm
Posted by supadave3
Houston, TX
Member since Dec 2005
32166 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 8:33 pm to
quote:

Eat more meat. Lots of red meat and eggs. Like 6-8 eggs and 1lbs minimum a day.


The only issue that is cholesterol already tends to run high. I eat about a dozen eggs a week, mostly boiled as a kid morning snack with a very light lunch later in the day.

I’ve definitely started trying to snack more. I buy trail mix in bulk from HEB and KIND bars every day. Tough problems, huh? LOL

I’ll definitely look into those workouts you recommended. I’ll check the out tonight.
I
This post was edited on 2/1/22 at 8:46 pm
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
37983 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 10:06 pm to
quote:

The only issue that is cholesterol already tends to run high. I eat about a dozen eggs a week, mostly boiled as a kid morning snack with a very light lunch later in the day.

I’ve definitely started trying to snack more. I buy trail mix in bulk from HEB and KIND bars every day. Tough problems, huh? LOL

I’ll definitely look into those workouts you recommended. I’ll check the out tonight.


Unless you are a super responder, dietary cholesterol didn't have a ton of effects on blood cholesterol.

Make a seperate thread about it. Got some guys on here that know a shite ton more than me about it.
Posted by supadave3
Houston, TX
Member since Dec 2005
32166 posts
Posted on 2/1/22 at 11:26 pm to
quote:

Make a seperate thread about it. Got some guys on here that know a shite ton more than me about it.


Will do. It’s not my number #1 priority. Right now, #1 is using this blank body slate to gain strength. At least Ai don’t have a bunch of weight to lose on top of being weak. I’ll focus on eating more calories, protein drinks, and finally at least attempting a work out. I feel Like such a rookie in the gym but that’s a tale that most people can tell.
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