Getting Back into Shape

[alimoalem]

cliffs at bottom

i used to do sports in high school up 'til junior year (2nd year in college now) and now want to get back in shape. i took a strength development course this quarter just so my body gets used to working out. it was mostly circuit training on machines.

right now, i'm just trying to gain as much strength as possible in 6 weeks. i'm 20 years old, 140lbs and 5'7-8". i don't care about adding bulk or getting cut (yet)...i'd just like to do as much as i can to get the strength i used to have back.

i used to bench at least 160lbs (never maxed out before) but right now i can work out with 120lbs on that machine where you're sitting down and push the handlebars forward. i'd like to get my pullups up to around 15 (i'm guessing i can do 8-10 chin-ups and 2 less pull-ups).

any other numbers that'll help, just ask me to list them.

i can get a gym membership if i need to, or i can just do a bunch of other stuff, like push ups, pull ups, bench dips, crunches, etc. at home.

btw, ab work is something i'd like to incorporate into my workout

CLIFFS:
* have 6 weeks to build as much strength as possible
* i am 20, weigh 140lbs, and around 5'7-8" tall
* would like to build strength, increase pull up and push up count, and work on abs.
* can get a gym membership if needed

 

[crt1530]

What happens in six weeks?

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: crt1530
What happens in six weeks?

i have winter break for 6 weeks. i'm pretty much free the whole time so i have some extra time to burn. in 6 weeks, i'm hoping to keep a weekly routine that doesn't take up too much time in the week.

 

[TallBill]

Mmm... you are better off if you think long term.

 

[crt1530]

Go read this WHOLE thread. Come back with any specific questions.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: crt1530
Go read this WHOLE thread. Come back with any specific questions.

thanks for the link crt1530. i've read through that before and was planning on following the program after 6 weeks. i guess what i want to do most is increase my actual strength-to-body performance, like pull ups, push ups, etc. from what i've read it's best to just do a bunch of pull ups, etc. a day, but i was wondering if there was any specific advice people could give.

there was another program i was considering, but i forgot its name. the focus of the program was changing the exercises every 4 weeks or so...could someone provide a link?

 

[TallBill]

Heh, we should just start a RIPPETOE-STARTING STRENGTH thread here. I was close to doing it this morning. I can start posting it later.

 

[crt1530]

There's really no point. Every conceivable question that could be asked is answered in the thread I linked or in the Starting Strength questions thread on the BB.com forums. Mark Rippetoe even answers people's questions himself over of the StrengthMill.com forums. The only possible reason to help beyond pointing people in the right direction is because the people are too lazy to spend an hour or two doing some reading. If they can't be bothered to take the time to do a little reading/research, why should anyone bother trying to help them?

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: crt1530
There's really no point. Every conceivable question that could be asked is answered in the thread I linked or in the Starting Strength questions thread on the BB.com forums. Mark Rippetoe even answers people's questions himself over of the StrengthMill.com forums. The only possible reason to help beyond pointing people in the right direction is because the people are too lazy to spend an hour or two doing some reading. If they can't be bothered to take the time to do a little reading/research, why should anyone bother trying to help them?

True enough.

 

[FearoftheNight]

rippetoe > *