Graceland

This is the first time that i've ventured into the fitness room, as naturally, I am lazy and unfit

So the crack is, I need to gain a bit of weight and bulk up a bit aswell, I could do this by stuffing my face with food, but thats the wrong sort of bulk

Any good advice about builing on my physique and weight gain in the right areas, dieting and training programs so that I can acheive my goal would be much appreciated

Obviously, I know that this won't happen overnight or over a month, But from what I have read, It is possible to see improvements over the space of a couple of months, and if the program is adhered to, then excellent personal gains in terms of feeling good, healthy and looking better are acheiveable

If anyone can help me, i'll be taking on as much advice as possible

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

First questions:

1) Are you serious? And can you commit some time to it each day? Or 3days a week minimum?

2) Are you willing to join a gym or do you intend to do it as cheaply as possible? (Not intended offensively)

3) Do you want to become leaner and fitter, or More muscular and fitter?
(you Cant do both just yet.. but it can eb achieved)

4) Do you believe a fat bastard like me actually knows ANYTHING about this subject? ROFLOL

Graceland

In answer to your questions (apart from number 4 Stu )

1 - I can commit time to the program, working shifts isn't a problem and I can put in the effort

2 - Never been to a gym before, so don't really know where to start with that one

3 - You've seen how scroney I am so fitter and a bit more muscular would be nice


4 - the jury is still out

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Ok Paul,
First thing you need to do is make yourself a plan, now theres a few ways you can do this, but ultimately you will have to do it and stick to it.

If you want to grow bigger and stronger, then you quite simply have virtually no choice other than to use weights.. so that means either buying a comprehensive selection of weights, of joining a Gym. I personally cannot reccomend joining a gym highly enough, and i bought teh weights and went that route first...

The problem with a home gym is motivation, its bloody hard to find any when theres so many more pleasant things within reach, and you will also find family members and friends will piss you off as they are totally uninterested and thus will come bugging you to do other things... not great at all.

You also need to sort your diet, you need to switch to healthy food and it must be composed of the correct balance of protein, carbs and fats to support muscle growth... you with me so far? Good.

So, do you have a local gym you can join? Doesnt have to be a gym full of meatheads, it can be a YMCA like i use or some form of sports center, the main thing is as well as cardio machines, you could well do with some free weights to achieve your personal goals of muscle growth.

Once you have considered the above, we can look at your diet and what sort of routines are going to suit you and keep you motivated.

Its also WELL worth getting some decent specialist magazines, of which i am more than happy to loan you the last 6months worth if you like, you will learn a LOT from them. I have some DVD's too that will help pal.

Graceland

Cheers for the massive input Stu - There are a few gyms locally, i'll be visiting them for prices and membership quotas etc etc reason being I don't have the money or the space to purchase a home-gym kit

If you don't mind lending the mags, I can have a peruse thru them I'll let you know when i'll be in your area next


Is there anywhere online that would be of any use for a good starting point so that I can get myself a work-plan set out?

FastFordChris

good thing to do to start you off is start running, doesnt cost you a thing and i would say you only need half the motivation, cos once you've gone out a certain way you've got no bloody choice but to run back home

you dont have to wait around planning it just get some joggers on and some trainers and go! do it every other day until you've planned out your next step of attack. though one word of advice, try going when its quiet ie middle of the day or early hours.

i would aid this with doing some push-ups and sit-ups every day, only low reps and 1 set every day to start you off, say 10/15? do that for a week then add another 5 and so on, trust me within about a month you'll be doing 80 odd in your sleep. if you start to feel your muscles aching then stretch them out gently, this will encurrage them to grow.

this is pretty much how i started, it was free so i wasnt risking having to sign up to a membership i may use once and never again and it also got me used routines. start off simple and easy to build up a firm foundation so you'll be ready to move on to bigger and more complex workouts.
i owe most of my bulk to the way i started out and still now use alot of the simple exercises i started with in my routines.

if your keeping to the routines in a month or two then i would say your ready to invest into weights or a gym as at least you know your gunna stick at it.

the key thing to remember is this is something your going to have to do for the rest of your life, so pick a routine that soutes you and that your not going to dread doing.

Tangodeltasierra3

Gracey if you looking at Gyms dont just go on price, look at the times that you would possibly use them, as mine gets pretty full between 5pm and 7.30pm, it's no good going if you can't get on the machines. JJB are doing a good deal near me but it's so full lots are leaving and coming back to mine.

pollocks

paul if ya joining a gym join total fitness down waterloo will save you going and looking around at em all

me jay and kc are all members down there so theres always someone to go down with ya if you want i personally like training alone as then theres no mincing about whilst doing if ya get me

ave managed to loose a stone and a half in the last 3 months now and have bulked up a bit too :d

if ya need a hand i can show you what to be doing if your a member at total fitness that is and also been a member there you get to have monthly programs taylored to your needs too :d working for me a treat