Starting with Weights

[Bigmak]

okay iam starting with weights, but iam wondering..how much is too much? is thier a certain way to figure out, how much i should start out with? And how much should you increase it once you get stronger?

[Trying4Thin]

If the reps are too easy; the weight is too light. On your last few reps; your muscles should be showing signs of fatigue and the exercise should be harder but still doable. Start out on the lighter side so you lessen the chance of injury. Listen to your body; it will help you figure out what you can and cant do. Dont exercise the same muscles everyday because they need a day off to repair themselves. Do upper body one day and the next do lower. Cardio can be done up to six days a week.

If you are a member of a gym; they may have something in your membership where an employee shows you around the different equipment. They can also provide insight on good starting weights if you still arent sure.

You may experience some muscle pain the following day from the new exercises; but it shouldnt be PAINFUL. In other words; you can go about your daily routine without being so sore that you cant move.

Good luck!

[Missy]

I agree with Carrie on everything she mentioned. Pick an amount and try lifting a few, if it's too heavy put them lower, if it's too easy put them higher. Depending on what your goals are plays a factor in lifting weights too. For fat loss, you want to do a lighter amount of weight and do lots and lots of reps. For muscle building you'd want to pick heavier weights with lower reps and lifting slower.

Listen to your body. You should know whether or not you are giving it your all. A lot of people don't push themselves to how much they can actually do...so make sure you are wearing out those muscles and it's not too easy. You should be able to feel it a bit the next day...

Carrie also mentioned not working the same muscles everday, this is true. When I wasn't doing the circuit room at my gym I was splitting up my workout into 5 days.
Mon - Legs
Tues - Chest & Upper Back
Wed - Abs & Lower Back
Thurs - Biceps, Triceps, Shoulders
Fri - Legs (I do legs twice because they are the largest muscles)

I did 45 minutes of cardio all 5 of those days as well. Good luck!