• We should now be fully online following an overnight outage. Apologies for any inconvenience, we do not expect there to be any further issues.

Weight lifting

Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
17,722
6
81
I'm getting interested in starting to lift weights and build some upper and lower body strength. Currently, I'm about 6' 5" and weight approximately 155 pounds. My metabolism is pretty fast. I'm mostly interested in doing it to gain a little weight and also be stronger.

I'm just wondering where you guys think I should start. I'm not too interested in hiring a trainer. I don't want to just go to the gym and start lifting. I want to do it the right way. And, as usual, neffers and people with worthless statements are more than welcome to chime in, but any actual advice is appreciated.
 

UncleWai

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2001
5,701
68
91
What the hell? Are you a stick? Or are you JLGatsby's taller brother?
 

Tarrant64

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2004
3,203
0
76
You need to decide what kind of diet you plan on using, and whether or not you can handle it. Also, from here decide if you want to use any supplements or not. I'm not talking hardcore, but creatine, etc. can give you that little extra you need to keep things moving.

Understand nothing is "instant" when working out. Work hard enough though and you'll see some big gains quickly.

Working out every day also shouldn't be a goal. If you're doing full body workouts pick your days you are most comfortable working out and take the other days off. Your body needs rest after a good workout.

Some may not approve, but stopping by a local GNC or something you can get some good advice on some supplements you can use to help you out. Simple shakes and what not to get you where you want to be.


You are one skinny f$$ker. Dude, you need to EAT.
 

BrownTown

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
5,314
1
0
I tried what you are suggesting, and given that you are likely very slight of frame you won't ever be able to be as muscular as most people could be, but it still don't hurt to try and add some weight (eat ALOT).
 

dbot

Senior member
Jan 28, 2004
280
0
0
here's a simple routine to follow:

Monday: Chest/Triceps
Tueday: Back/Biceps
Wednesday: off
Thursdays: Shoulders/Light Biceps and Triceps
Friday: Legs

Do 3 excercises per part. 3 sets per excercise, 6-8 reps per set.

Take a NO or other energy supplement before working out. Take creatine and protein within an hour after.

Do not stop by GNC, they will try to push a bunch of stuff on you that is overpriced.

Just go to Bodybuilding.com and order some NO-Xplode or Universal Shock Therapy for preworkout and something like Xceed for after. Can't go wrong with 100% ON Whey for protein
 

Dualist

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2005
2,395
0
86
Try to get a diet plan going. Start by eating right and healthy, and see a doctor before attempting to do any workouts - which is more important.
 

Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
OP, try visiting the board in my sig. The members there are very helpful and will always answer a new member's questions if you ask politely.

First, read all the stickies in the various forums so you at least have an idea of what you are talking about. I don't feel like typing out everything all over again (really I should just make a cookie-cutter "how to gain muscle" reply, I swear this question comes up every week on AT) so I will just refer you to the board.

Basically you need a routine based on compound movements, and you need to eat a lot of healthy food (and track what you eat).

PM me if you have any specific questions.
 

Sex Smurf

Golden Member
Oct 13, 2004
1,384
2
0
step 1: lay off the ice
step 2: eat more than you burn off

I'm just wondering where you guys think I should start. I'm not too interested in hiring a trainer. I don't want to just go to the gym and start lifting. I want to do it the right way.

You don't want a trainer and you want to do it the right way. . . Yes, of course you come to ATOT to be your personal trainer/advisor.

Train for strength and the pounds and natural muscle gain will follow. low reps (6-8) but many sets per exercise. Divide your workouts by body part to give each muscle adequate time to recover. Take protein supplements right after your workout to feed your muscles and reduce muscle pain.

Thats my general advice. I'm sure the more detailed stuff will follow.
 

Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
Originally posted by: j00fek
all you need to know

FORUM.BODYBUILDING.COM

/thread

Maybe that board has changed recently, but last time I visited it was overrrun by trolls and immature posters. There are better lifting boards out there IMO.
 

Tarrant64

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2004
3,203
0
76
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: j00fek
all you need to know

FORUM.BODYBUILDING.COM

/thread

Maybe that board has changed recently, but last time I visisted it was overrrun by trolls and immature posters. There are better lifting boards out there IMO.

Yeah I was actually on there couple months back. Didn't like the experience. Haven't been back on since. I found self-motivation and research got me much further before.
 

j00fek

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2005
8,099
1
0
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: j00fek
all you need to know

FORUM.BODYBUILDING.COM

/thread

Maybe that board has changed recently, but last time I visisted it was overrrun by trolls and immature posters. There are better lifting boards out there IMO.

name them
 

CKent

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
9,020
0
0
You're going to have to eat tons more than you do. At least twice as much, possibly much more. Don't bother lifting weights unless you can get the calories you need to put on muscle.
 

Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
17,722
6
81
Originally posted by: Tarrant64
You need to decide what kind of diet you plan on using, and whether or not you can handle it. Also, from here decide if you want to use any supplements or not. I'm not talking hardcore, but creatine, etc. can give you that little extra you need to keep things moving.

Understand nothing is "instant" when working out. Work hard enough though and you'll see some big gains quickly.

Working out every day also shouldn't be a goal. If you're doing full body workouts pick your days you are most comfortable working out and take the other days off. Your body needs rest after a good workout.

Some may not approve, but stopping by a local GNC or something you can get some good advice on some supplements you can use to help you out. Simple shakes and what not to get you where you want to be.


You are one skinny f$$ker. Dude, you need to EAT.

Thats the thing... i DO eat!!! I eat a lot :confused:
 

CKent

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
9,020
0
0
Originally posted by: NightDarker
Thats the thing... i DO eat!!! I eat a lot :confused:

All skinny guys say this. It's why you're skinny. I remember a poster here who was worried about his girlfriend getting fat because she ate a lot. Asked for an example, he said if they had pizza she would eat a whole slice (he only ate a half slice, which was "a lot"). The problem is it's entirely subjective. You feel full after 2 bites, stuffed after 3. So stuffed, you must have eaten "a lot" ;) Count your calories for a few days, you probably eat 1500. It depends on the person, but you likely need 4k give or take. Possibly more.
 

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
11,288
1
0
Originally posted by: NightDarker

Thats the thing... i DO eat!!! I eat a lot :confused:

It's not just eating quantity, it's quality. You need to eat right. You need at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day for starters. Try optimum nutrition gold standard. (strawberry is pretty good)

And why not join a gym?
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Use fitday.com to track calories. I'm 6'6" and require like 4000 calories or more to maintain weight (like 210-215 currently). I've been lifting for 4 months now and love it.
 

kaizersose

Golden Member
May 15, 2003
1,196
0
76
i have (sort of) been where you are. eating by itself wont do it for you--i tried pounding home as many calories as i could and it just made me feel sick without actually adding weight. you need to get on a reasonable weight lifting program and eat the right things at the right time. that means a good dose of protein and some carbs right after your workouts. make sure that your daily intake of protein is high enough to support muscle creation as well. check out the men's health website--they have great advice for everything you will need.

when it comes down to it, sometimes you just cant fight your body chemistry. i wasnt quite as thin as you but i really resented being skinny. i was never able to put on weight, but i did get in good shape while developing good habits that have continued for years.

good luck.

my final 2 cents: never be tempted to lift more weight than you should. i will never laugh at someone at the gym who is lifting very little weight, but doing it right. get your form correct first.
 

Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
17,722
6
81
Originally posted by: CKent
Originally posted by: NightDarker
Thats the thing... i DO eat!!! I eat a lot :confused:

All skinny guys say this. It's why you're skinny. I remember a poster here who was worried about his girlfriend getting fat because she ate a lot. Asked for an example, he said if they had pizza she would eat a whole slice (he only ate a half slice, which was "a lot"). The problem is it's entirely subjective. You feel full after 2 bites, stuffed after 3. So stuffed, you must have eaten "a lot" ;) Count your calories for a few days, you probably eat 1500. It depends on the person, but you likely need 4k give or take. Possibly more.

Is there anywhere I can go to calculate this sort of stuff?

A lot of the food I eat is over at the dining hall here on campus. And I tend to stay away from super greasy type of food. I usually only have something really greasy every other day or so. I tend to stick with high fiber breakfast, then salad and meat at lunch, and for dinner typically some kind of a meat dish. Typically with all meals, I will have water. Some random days I'll pick soda or juice.

Next week though, I'm on my own for cooking, so maybe it'll be a good time to start figuring out my calorie intake -- although I'd like to start now.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
Originally posted by: j00fek
Originally posted by: Special K
Originally posted by: j00fek
all you need to know

FORUM.BODYBUILDING.COM

/thread

Maybe that board has changed recently, but last time I visisted it was overrrun by trolls and immature posters. There are better lifting boards out there IMO.

name them

I agree with Special K. BB.com has so much noise now that it's almost not even worth it. Half of the posts tend to turn into flamefests not unlike you get here at ATOT. Wannabebig is a much better forum at the present moment, imo.
 

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
11,288
1
0
Originally posted by: NightDarker
Originally posted by: CKent
Originally posted by: NightDarker
Thats the thing... i DO eat!!! I eat a lot :confused:

All skinny guys say this. It's why you're skinny. I remember a poster here who was worried about his girlfriend getting fat because she ate a lot. Asked for an example, he said if they had pizza she would eat a whole slice (he only ate a half slice, which was "a lot"). The problem is it's entirely subjective. You feel full after 2 bites, stuffed after 3. So stuffed, you must have eaten "a lot" ;) Count your calories for a few days, you probably eat 1500. It depends on the person, but you likely need 4k give or take. Possibly more.

Is there anywhere I can go to calculate this sort of stuff?

fitday.com
 

Atheus

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2005
7,313
2
0
woah man. I'm 6'2 and when I was your weight you could count all my ribs easily. It took a mix of amphetamines and all-night partying to do it and it was seriously unhealthy...