Learning to lift weights (on a budget)
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Anonymous
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I frequently see recommendations to hire a personal trainer, which sounds great and expensive. Are there group weight training classes that anybody can recommend where the teacher focuses on form? I have a full set of dumbbells at home, and would ideally get to a point where I could do most of my workouts at home--I don't want to join a gym. I would be open to using a county facility--I read that there are weight rooms in the recreational centers.
I'm located in Bethesda, and my goal is to increase strength and build muscle. Am I being penny wise pound foolish? Would this approach set me up for injuries--do I really need to just save up for a personal trainer? |
Anonymous
| Try the Peloton app. They have a beginner course and focus on form. From there they have tons of content. |
Anonymous
Agree with this. |
Anonymous
| OP here. I have the peloton app and will try the beginner strength program. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| 100% agree. The trainers on there are so much better than the average guy or gal at the local gym. Get a mirror so you can check your form and avoid injury! |
Anonymous
| Kaleigh Cohen on YouTube. She focuses a lot on form. Obviously, it’s not the same as someone walking around in person correcting you. |
Anonymous
| Form is not a huge issue with dumbbells as it is with barbells, and it’s really hard to get hurt. Just watch some YouTube videos. |
Anonymous
Form is an issue with all weights. Always best to start with correct form than to attempt correction down the road, particularly after injury. |
Anonymous
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I like Bodypump classes (in many/most gyms), and while instructors do tell you about form, they can't go around and correct you. For one, there could be 20+ people and you just can't go around to everyone in the time of a class.
If you stand beside a mirror and are good about correcting your own form while listening/watching an instructor, then it could be good for you. But I'd say 50% of people in bodypump classes have terrible form on so many of the muscle groups or exercises. If you are an observant and self aware person, you could do it yourself though. Still, it's worth a try. Go very light at first so you get the movements before you work on your strength. |
Anonymous
| I love BodyPump too. But I know do it on-line, through the LesMills app. |
Anonymous
| ^^now do it… |
Anonymous
| I'm a huge fan of Nia Shanks and her weight lifting advice. See https://niashanks.com/lift-like-a-girl-dumbbell-workout/. She has youtube videos describing the exercises too if you need form pointers. I like how simple she makes everything. |
Anonymous
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Plus 3 for BodyPump/Les Mills.
I go to a gym, but also bought the at home set. With my gym membership I have access to LesMills on demand. It’s a fun program with lots of options. The weight set is so easy and doesn’t take up much room. |
Anonymous
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I highly recommend Meg Squats Before the Barbell program - https://www.strongstrongfriends.com/before-the-barbell/
Meg is amazing and has a video for every move. You can try the free program and then progress to a Home Workout Plan or Gym Plan for only $8 a month! Download the App or use the web. |
Anonymous
| FitOn app is completely free and has all levels of workouts. I have found it to be very high quality and effective. |