Good lifting routine?

Gonna start lifting and wanted to now what some of you guys do as far as keeping a schedule and routine. Like what muscle groups should i work together and avoid working together.

What are your fitness goals? Get bigger, lose weight, more endurance, etc,.

definitely want to increase strength and endurance. Im trying to get in really good shape before i return to training martial arts. Not looking to become a body builder or anything.

oggy420 wrote:

definitely want to increase strength and endurance. Im trying to get in really good shape before i return to training martial arts. Not looking to become a body builder or anything.

You might consider kettlebells as a tool.

Also WHATEVER lifitng you are considering, if you have an athletic goal rather than an aesthetic one leave aside the "bodyparts" thinking. That's bodybuyilding. If you are going to be an athlete then train your body the way you use it. As one integrated machine. Here are some guidelines:

1) Three sessions a week for no more than an hour each. If you aren't wobbly and exhausted by then? You simply aren't working with enough intensity. No more than five exercises per session.
2) Free weights, free weights and more free weights
3) Do as much as you can on your feet. You don't sit in chairs or lie down in a supported way in athletic events, don't train that way either. Every exercise should test your core and your balance.
4) Focus on explosive compound exercises that use large amounts of the body at one time. Cleans, power cleans, snatches, squats, overhead presses, deadlifts and the like.
5) Work HARD. Legs shaking, gonna be sick, gotta get one more rep hard. If you can talk during your workout? Not enough intensity.

Now I have found kettlebells to be an extraordinary tool for fitness. Less so for top-line strength. But for gut-busting overall physical preparedness? Kettlebell snatches, swings, presses and windmills are really hard to beat. Again, the intensity of the work is what makes it go.

im definitely interested in kettle bells.

Well, my routine has been like this lately. I don't have kettle balls though damn it.

I like to mix things up. When I'm really into it I will strength train at least 2 times a week but preferably 3, heavy. I like to do one of those days weight free, ala Hershal Walker (lots of pull ups, push ups, crunches, dips, etc.)

For endurance and stamina I will do one day of intense interval training(I think this is the most important part of my routine) and one day of regular but extended cardio, like a long run or ride. Every day should have some form of regular cardio(ride bike to school/work, short jog, etc, something that gets the heart rate up for at least 30 or so minutes outside of my workout, and fapping doesn't count )

If you ever have an opportunity to work and do something different, do it. Last fall by dad brushed out a few acres on the back end of his property in the mountains. I went up there 7 or 8 times just to chop cords of wood with the big axe. Incredible workout, was great for upper body/arms and endurance. Right now a buddy got me into rock climbing, it's pretty tough, hard work.

Where to start depends a lot on where you currently are physically though. I've been in and out of shape, by my standards, routinely for a while.

If you really want some focused guidance you could pirate a fitness dvd collection. I own P90X, even if you don't follow it(I can't keep up with everything 100%) it still is a good starting point or reference that can give you ideas on the direction to take your exercise and different techniques to use. It also has sound information on one of the most overlooked aspects to getting in shape, nutrition. Learn about nutrition.

As far as keeping up, buy yourself a cheap calendar and dedicate it to all things having to do with your fitness. Document your weight or a few specific gains (bench, squat, etc.). List your schedule, what days or times do you have your windows available to exercise. Make it a journal. The more attention you pay to it the more good you will get from it. Put it somewhere where you can work in it everyday.

oggy420 wrote:

im definitely interested in kettle bells.

Here's a link to a pretty good place with free workout plans and videos that show the basic exercises

http://www.mbodystrength.com/training.html

here's a link to the widely accepted guru of Kettlebells. They have some GREAT articles.

http://www.dragondoor.com/

keep in mind that if you can't afford or don't have access to kettlebells, you can find a way to do all the exercises with dumbells.

GDPofDRC wrote:

Well, my routine has been like this lately. I don't have kettle balls though damn it.

I like to mix things up. When I'm really into it I will strength train at least 2 times a week but preferably 3, heavy. I like to do one of those days weight free, ala Hershal Walker (lots of pull ups, push ups, crunches, dips, etc.)

For endurance and stamina I will do one day of intense interval training(I think this is the most important part of my routine) and one day of regular but extended cardio, like a long run or ride. Every day should have some form of regular cardio(ride bike to school/work, short jog, etc, something that gets the heart rate up for at least 30 or so minutes outside of my workout, and fapping doesn't count )

If you ever have an opportunity to work and do something different, do it. Last fall by dad brushed out a few acres on the back end of his property in the mountains. I went up there 7 or 8 times just to chop cords of wood with the big axe. Incredible workout, was great for upper body/arms and endurance. Right now a buddy got me into rock climbing, it's pretty tough, hard work.

Where to start depends a lot on where you currently are physically though. I've been in and out of shape, by my standards, routinely for a while.

If you really want some focused guidance you could pirate a fitness dvd collection. I own P90X, even if you don't follow it(I can't keep up with everything 100%) it still is a good starting point or reference that can give you ideas on the direction to take your exercise and different techniques to use. It also has sound information on one of the most overlooked aspects to getting in shape, nutrition. Learn about nutrition.

As far as keeping up, buy yourself a cheap calendar and dedicate it to all things having to do with your fitness. Document your weight or a few specific gains (bench, squat, etc.). List your schedule, what days or times do you have your windows available to exercise. Make it a journal. The more attention you pay to it the more good you will get from it. Put it somewhere where you can work in it everyday.

Isn't it amazing how manual labor will get you fit and keep you there?

thanks guys. The info is much appreciated

You sleep a lot better at night after chopping a big stack of logs during the day.