Beginning strength training

[Oh the Irony]

I would like to start some strength training to tone up. I've done gentle pilates and hooping in the past year. They have helped but it hasn't been consistent enough. I love the way the pilates on the machines feels but it gets pricey.

In the past, I've done a tiny bit with small free weights.

Is there a program you would suggest? I'm not ready for something like PX90. I'm eying the NROLW but it looks like it is more for intermediate training.

So I want a beginner program to do at home that isn't too intense. Something to do in 20-30 minutes 2-4x a week.

Any suggestions welcome!

[ambereva]

NROLFW is totally fine for beginners! Don't fear the free weights!

[Oh the Irony]

Oh really? Cool. The reviews on amazon were saying it was more for experienced people.

I liked the sound of it--it seems very efficient.

[spughy]

Yeah NROLFW is fantastic. The pictures and descriptions of the exercises are very clear and if you find something isn't working for you or you think you're doing it wrong, there's a very active online forum filled with very knowledgeable people, and they often post links to videos which are very helpful. I would definitely recommend it for a beginner!

[Oh the Irony]

Thank you spughy and ambereva! I'm going to order a copy.

[Oh the Irony]

double post

[mommajb]

Another vote for NROLW. Go for it!

[bec]

Dare I ask what NROLW is?

[mommajb]

New Rules of Lifting for Women, a strength based weight lifting program that promotes heavy, functional lifts in general and uses the phrase "Step away from the treadmill" in describing where they stand on lots of steady state cardio. Guess which part I struggle with?

[bec]

Originally Posted by mommajb

New Rules of Lifting for Women, a strength based weight lifting program that promotes heavy, functional lifts in general and uses the phrase "Step away from the treadmill" in describing where they stand on lots of steady state cardio. Guess which part I struggle with?

I try to look at these things like La Leche League. Take what I need and leave the rest!

[spughy]

The purpose of the book is to help you build muscle & strength, and weight loss if you need it. It's not against running except in the sense that the authors present good logic and research that dispels the idea that just straight running will assist with those goals - there IS a considerable cardio portion to the program but it's all interval training. Which you CAN do on the treadmill if you want (and if your gym has fun fun treadmills that have TVs built into them. Heh.)

[mommajb]

bec and I are both crazy marathoners. In my defense, I (currently) hate the treadmill and will run outside in all temperatures and types of precipitations.