Beginners: Why weights?

If you're a beginner to the world of weight training, please share with us why you've chosen to hit the weights?

Are you skinny and want to get bigger?

Are you overweight and looking to lose some fat?

Do you play a sport and want weights to help your performance?

Have you decided competative bodybuilding / powerlifting / strongman is for you?

Did you mate drag you down the gym?

Has your partner told you to shape up?!

Just bored looking for something to do?

Or any other reason?

Let us know guys and girls!  This topic is meant as an ice-breaker - if you're a lurker, why not sign up and let us know!

Thanks, and enjoy MT!

I'm 5' 10" and weigh 119 lbs.

I've always been skinny and under that average BMI line for as long as I can remember. I know my problem is that I don't eat, I wait until I'm really hungry and then eat.

I've had a couple of half-assed attempts at putting on weight. High carb and protein shakes and I seen slight gains.

I didn't keep it up though but I'll start again this September. Got myself a copy of starting strength and scrawny to brawny, gonna' set out a diet and routine to see if I can put on some serious mass.

I'd like to say I joined here though because of "Murphyblew" inspired me; he was roughly my size when he started and look at him now, I'd like to make similar achievements.
 
Thanks for havin' me on this great forum.

Ash

Im Rik and im 40 years old. 5' 10" and 184 Ibs..
 
For me it's a mid life crisis.... lol
 
Well in a way it is, been divorced and single for 4 years. Was getting lazy and putting on weight.
 
I was eating the wrong things and spending too much time infront of the TV.
 
Made reduntant twice recently so now have some time on my hands. It's the perfect time to turn my life around.
 
I have hit the weights on and off for 25 years but my problem is motivation so never followed it through.
 
My goal is to get lean and mean and to attract that new girl..  wink..wink..
 
Also want to get my self worth back and have this inspire my kids...
I want them to remember me for what i will become through weights and not what i might have become without them.
 
Glad to be here so lets do it.!
 
RIK
 

Hi I'm lowviz and I want to lose fat basically. I weighed 248 pounds (6ft 2in, 38 years old and body fat % of around 25%) when I started training 7 weeks ago. I have in the last 7 weeks transformed my diet (high protein/fat & 6 meals a day) and go to the gym 3 times a week lifting weights to build up muscle mass/etc. I now weight 230lbs and my body fat% is around 22%.

My sessions are mainly based on using dumbbells as my gym is a bit low on free weight equipment. I am though serving my notice and will be looking for a new gym in Bristol where I should be able to squat/deadlift with free weights (Any recommendations greatfully received). I focus on compound full body routines but with also add cardio in at the end of the sessions to help burn the fat.

Goals are to increase strength and reduce bodyfat to below 18%. As long as my waist drops to below 36inches I don't care what I weigh to be honest. This is a life change more than anything and I am determined to make a difference this time.

im 31yo, 5'10", 11.5 stone. skinny with a belly.......  always wanted to bulk up. going to give it a good go...

I'm 18, 5'8 and 132lbs so im a pencil neck just skinny no skinny fat just skinny. and want to get bigger hopefully i'll look like this in 10 years LOL
 

 
oh and iv been on the board ages but only just started weight training in August.
Joe

Great stories so far guys, keep them coming...

I'm 6'3" and have gone from 17st to 14st through separation and stress. I now want to rebuild my life, gain health, strength, fitness and would love to get up to about 16st solid to look and feel great. Not sure if it's possible to start at 36yrs and whether the gains at this age just are not possible like they would be at 18yrs. Found a great gym with a fantastic instructor though. Here goes!!!

Ed.


I'm 6'3" and have gone from 17st to 14st through separation and stress. I now want to rebuild my life, gain health, strength, fitness and would love to get up to about 16st solid to look and feel great. Not sure if it's possible to start at 36yrs and whether the gains at this age just are not possible like they would be at 18yrs. Found a great gym with a fantastic instructor though. Here goes!!!

Hi Ed, welcome.

I know plenty of new trainers who have started at beyond 36 years old mate!  Have a look at this for inspiration: http://www.ronniewatt.com/

I'm still a beginner I guess, started about a month ago. I'm not fat, but not skinny. I have a bit of excess fat or "puppy fat"... the main reason for me doing weights is to become stronger and bigger. I feel it makes you more confident as a person, especially in situations where things might kick off - if you're strong or look big, you may not be targeted or attacked, and if you are you might get out of it unscathed.

I think I'm kinda lucky in a way... I can see gains real quick. For example, if I train on day 1 quite intense, and then day 2 eat a load of protein, by day 4 - 5 I can see a noticeable difference in the size of my biceps or chest. It's not a huge difference, but it can be noticed. Maybe I have good genetics for bodybuilding?

James

Hi Ed, welcome.

I know plenty of new trainers who have started at beyond 36 years old mate!  Have a look at this for inspiration: http://www.ronniewatt.com/

That's very impressive for an oldie. There's hope for us all yet!!! I never expected gains to be so dramatic at that age and in that space of time.

I have an average body size, i'm 5'8'' and 165lbs. Bulking up this september until next april to get as big as possible. I'd like to reach 200lbs of hard muscle.

Having always been a skinny person, I finally decided I'd had enough and to gain a bit of weight, preferrably of the healthy variety.

Been working at my home gym for the last month or so, and have managed to put on about 3kg so far (just hit 70kg for the first time ever).

Thinking of going to the gym down the road to get on some of the machines down there, think I saw mention of it somewhere else on the board (Finedon gym), but have been a little self conscious of my small size when doing body building in public.

^^Don't worry about it, cuz we all have to start off somewhere. The gym where I go, there's people of all sizes and they're all doing their own thing. Yea a gym is an intimidating atmosphere for the first time, but once you go 2-3 times you'll forget all your worries and concentrate on your goals.

Grunth0s

but have been a little self conscious of my small size when doing body building in public.

I think this has to be one of the main issues with new people starting out. There are a few things to remember that will help:

• Nobody will look at you and think, damn he's skinny; go home mate.
• Nobody will laugh at you for struggling with warm-up weights. Everyone did once.
• Gaining health and strength are far more important than pride or inferiorities.
• Your money is as good as theirs.
• Give yourself time to get over the initial shock of going. You're more sensitive of others around you when you first go. After a couple of weeks it's only you and the weights.

HI all,
         I am 33 and started to lift weights about 6 months ago, I am in the Army and have allways been known as a skinny racing snake!!! So have almost stopped all the running and am trying to put on as much muscle as possible. I have no interest in competeing but since i have started i have got a whole heep of respect for the guys that do, the ammount of dedication and effort to get to that level is mind boggling. Anyway like i said, I am currantly about 12 stone and would love to put on about a stone to a stone and half of prime beef Just because i have allways been jealous of the guys with the good physique's and allways thought i would love to look like that...... Well here goes!! Cheers Deano.

Joined site about 6 months ago but only dip in now and again. Started training about the same time.
I'm 28 and overweight. Looking to be 29 and looking fine!
But seriousley...
19st and 5'11. Always been pretty stocky (48" chest) but over the last few years have got the gut to match.  etc...
Want to lose fat and gain muscle, not fussed if my overall weight doesn't change that much, I'd be happy just swapping the fat for muscle!

Hi all, Im Jamie 35yrs old 5'10" and about 14st. Starting training to get fit, build muscle and get more confidence. I just have some dumbells in my room and get my routines from here and change them every month or so.

thanks Jamie

ive always been insecure and always wanted to hit the gym from the age of 16 .
i was always into taking drugs and drinking from an early age something which i regret now lol
I never really had the balls to go the gym untill i got a hold of my life 2 years ago .
i remeber messing about with weights when i was younger but nothing serious .
i have always been skinny and i always thought that i couldnt put on any weight untill i found MT .
i started training at 11 stone and am now sitting at 13 and half stone and im starting to like the positive comments im getting concerning muscle gains.
i dont no what i would do now if i didnt have training in my life
as for competeing i would consider it in a few years when i get near to the physic im looking

well i have spent most of my life not caring what i looked like or if i lived or died to be honest

but then when i hit an all time low i meet the girl of my dreams ( and yes i know it sounds corny but i dont care lol )

and even tho she is not the kind to ask you to change i would like to look good for her

i plan to move to texas to be with her by 2011
so i have time lol  but its not just for her
iv never been happy with the way i look  i dont want to be really big just bigger and to look and feel good about myself 

i do try to keep fit and i gave up smoking on will power alone ill post some pics and then we can see how diff i look after say 6 months ( dont expect a big diff ) it will take much longer cant build overnight

or every one would do it

but its like my late nan said
anything worth having has to be worked for

but ill need alot of advice for you guys and girls
thank you