Starting Strength.

It's simple and effective and applies to men and women alike.

Women should not be afraid to lift weights! (just a side note)

Crossfit has merits in that it has socialized getting into shape (and making it fun for many), but it went to far when it evangelized their particular brand of working out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The New Rules of Lifting for Women and related books are excellent. You will need access to a gym for most of the exercises. This routine got me into great shape last summer.

I have been lifting since I was 14 (I'm 33) and trained by my father, who was a champion powerlifter...this book is, in my opinion, the single best exercise book I've seen in many, many years. The exercises are simple to understand and follow, and the actual workouts are pretty short, but they are EFFECTIVE. Also, the book is well-written--it's not overly boring and scientific.

I almost bought this book, but saw lots of reviews that the workouts are inconsistent in duration and some take 2 hours. Is that right? I can't imagine finding the motivation for 2 hours of weight lifting.

No, they do not take 2 hours. I've done all the stages. I only workout in the morning, before work. I can assure you that I don't work out more than an hour.

I find that Stage 4 takes well over an hour, if I really do all the rests between workouts and do the intervals. I can believe, from looking at it, that Stage 7 takes at least 90 minutes.

ChaLean Extreme

You Are Your Own Gym.. Mark Lauren. There is a free 10 minute workout on Youtube. Stretch first because you will hurt the next day. The warm up and cool down are separate videos, but they are there too. No equipment needed, they are bodyweight exercises.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The New Rules of Lifting for Women and related books are excellent. You will need access to a gym for most of the exercises. This routine got me into great shape last summer.

I have been lifting since I was 14 (I'm 33) and trained by my father, who was a champion powerlifter...this book is, in my opinion, the single best exercise book I've seen in many, many years. The exercises are simple to understand and follow, and the actual workouts are pretty short, but they are EFFECTIVE. Also, the book is well-written--it's not overly boring and scientific.

I almost bought this book, but saw lots of reviews that the workouts are inconsistent in duration and some take 2 hours. Is that right? I can't imagine finding the motivation for 2 hours of weight lifting.

No, they do not take 2 hours. I've done all the stages. I only workout in the morning, before work. I can assure you that I don't work out more than an hour.

Anonymous wrote:Google crossfit. It's changed my life.

but I can't stomach the obnoxious lingo. every crossfitter I know WILL NOT FREAKING SHUT UP ABOUT IT! Especially on social media, and it's so annoying.

Also, they make you do the paleo diet, which is such a ridiculous gimmick. Why would I want to adopt a lifestyle from a time when the life expectancy was 33 years?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The New Rules of Lifting for Women and related books are excellent. You will need access to a gym for most of the exercises. This routine got me into great shape last summer.

I have been lifting since I was 14 (I'm 33) and trained by my father, who was a champion powerlifter...this book is, in my opinion, the single best exercise book I've seen in many, many years. The exercises are simple to understand and follow, and the actual workouts are pretty short, but they are EFFECTIVE. Also, the book is well-written--it's not overly boring and scientific.

I almost bought this book, but saw lots of reviews that the workouts are inconsistent in duration and some take 2 hours. Is that right? I can't imagine finding the motivation for 2 hours of weight lifting.

+1 on crossfit.

Google crossfit. It's changed my life.

Anonymous wrote:The New Rules of Lifting for Women and related books are excellent. You will need access to a gym for most of the exercises. This routine got me into great shape last summer.

I have been lifting since I was 14 (I'm 33) and trained by my father, who was a champion powerlifter...this book is, in my opinion, the single best exercise book I've seen in many, many years. The exercises are simple to understand and follow, and the actual workouts are pretty short, but they are EFFECTIVE. Also, the book is well-written--it's not overly boring and scientific.

Anonymous wrote:The New Rules of Lifting for Women and related books are excellent. You will need access to a gym for most of the exercises. This routine got me into great shape last summer.

+1000 This book changed my life.

--46 year old mom of 2 who has amazing strength and shoulders to boot!

The New Rules of Lifting for Women and related books are excellent. You will need access to a gym for most of the exercises. This routine got me into great shape last summer.

I like body pump classes. I take mine through FX county. But, I also like going to classes, since I pay for them it's my motivation.

I really like DVDs by Jari Love.
http://www.jarilove.com/

If you are very new to exercise, I would recommend starting with her "Get ripped" videos, and not her "Get Extremely Ripped" ones--the "Extremely Ripped" ones are newer and, imo, more challenging.

I would see if you can check one out through your library or netflix (I don't have a netflix subscription any more, but I know they used to have some of her DVDs).

You will need a few hand weights (sets of 3, 5, and 8 lbs would probably be good), a mat, and it helps if you have a step, but she usually has at least one of her assistants work without a step on each exercise--so you can still do the dvd without a step.

Any favorite routines to link to? Bonus points if I don't have to go the gym, but I do have access to one.