Viewer Mail.

by

ok. OK. I get it now and I might give in and start weight training.

how do I even get started? is there a book you recommend? something I can do at home? I dont want to drag a book all over the gym with me.

Whew.

This is the question I most often get asked (and, I know, the one for which I begged by issuing the YA’LL MUST WEIGHT LIFT decree) and the answer is both long and short.

The short version? There are definitely exercises you can do at home. Easily.

This book and this book (I know) and even this book are good resources for setting up a home routine.

That said, Im not a huge advocate of at-home weight training if you’re a complete novice (your email didnt say) if you dont have a live-guide at least once.

This could be a trainer you hire and bring to the house simply to show you what to do (proper form to avoid injury *and* to be sure you’re doing the exercises right so you arent wasting your time).

A weight training video (I need to keep searching for a good one. when I find it I shall share)

Or even a virtual personal trainer (aka on-line trainer) whom you never meet face to face but you do get a program precisely TAILORED to your needs/limitations.

OR

You might consider signing up for a gym membership for a short time (month to month if possible) and glean all that you can both from the initial “show around” and watching/asking other members what they like to do.

There is a reason that gyms are all kinds of MIRRORED & it’s not just because the men (sorry guys) wanna gaze at themselves.

It is far easier to perfect your form when you can easily see every side of yourself as you do the exercise.

Learn there. Bring it home!

Also, (again this is just MizFit’s opinion) when I had clients working out at home with free weights Id encourage them to only lift their upper body (chest, back, bicep, tricep, shoulders).

It’s difficult to find good leg exercises to do at home (lunges are fantastic though & we’ll cover in a facetime) and beyond that you work your legs when you do cardio (hint-hint) and in daily living (unlike, say, your triceps).

It also saves time.

Time which you may, if you choose, tack on to your cardiovascular workout.

ahhh.

Hath MizFit digressed?

I fear I have.

Bottom line emailer? Yes. You can totally create an at home workout using the resources listed above and, if you want, the extra help of magazines such as Shape. You can create a binder, buy the free weights you need and get a really quality workout without exiting the domicile!

It’s useful to hire a trainer even ONCE just so you’re sure that you are interpreting the book/dvd correctly.

Or, perhaps, hire MizFit as your trainer.

Virtually.

Someday.

When she mightcould actually get her chickenbus together & (convince her ToddlerTornado to cease tornado-ing and) offer her services.

Most important? HAVE FUN.

POSTS BY EMAIL

Never miss a post. Enter your email to get my latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Comments

  1. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

    Stacey Derbinshire

  2. I am ALMOST convinced that I need to do something about these dimpled thighs, inner tube middle section, and swinging door upper arms. But, I am disorganized and maybe a little lazy. No, I didn’t mean that last phrase. (Yes I did.) But I quit every “getting in shape” program I start. Is there any hope?

  3. Such sound advice MizFit. I haven’t been much of a lifter myself lately, but I KNOW I need to add it to the routine. I just received a mailer from my gym which includes a free personal training session – WAHOO! I swear, no matter what people say, my big thick legs always get BIGGER from weights, so it will be so nice to have a trainer to explain how NOT to make that happen this time around. Anyhoooooo…..so glad you came across my blog so that I could find yours!!

  4. YAY! Lift weights! Sweat! Build muscle! (live longer, look better, have more energy, kick ass) YAY!

    by the way, have I mentioned how much I appreciate your comments on my blog? thanks.

  5. caution? THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE! Join our Bumbling Band O’MizFit and we shall cheer you on your way.
    (if by cheer you mean MizFit shall nag 🙂 —- which I do)

    Welcome ThickChick (love your name) and you *know* I have a lotta thoughts on the thickleg syndrome.
    they’re coming….

    Randi, welcome! look better feel better save time save money eat flax.

    🙂

    M.

  6. Great tips! The way I fell in love with weight training was signing up for a group personal training session at my gym. It was all women – about 6 clients plus girl trainer. Splitting the cost made it really affordable (about 10$/session) and boy howdy did we have fun. Plus, we took over the whole darn weight floor when we were out there! I have never been afraid of the free weights area since then.

    PS> MizFit – just watched your tricep dip video and I am SO impressed! I so want your arms!!

  7. uh, Charlotte?
    you? on the huffington post?

    TOO. COOL.

    and *fabulous* suggestion about the group training.

    it takes a village o’mizfits to get this stuff right, huh?

    🙂

    M.

  8. Thanks for the awesome tips. I love the last one – have fun – and totally agree with it. I never thought working out and cardio would be fun for me, but I actually crave it now.

    Oh, and I will get to work right away on a knit cap for you with dumbells on it. 🙂

  10. I’m not thinking I would ever do weights at home. I’m more of an “escape to the gym” frazzled mommy. But in true Mizfit fashion, I’m thinking that I need to do a single personal training session at our gym to learn a good weight routine. 🙂

  11. I just saw the at home workout video of you that Stephanie had on her blog and I just wanted to say THANK YOU!

    I can’t join a gym right now and I’m not strong enough for a chair dip yet but I can do the weights over the head for sure! Thank you so much for this demo!

  13. hey chris

    dare I say MizFit was once WORLD FAMOUS for her consumption of your blog title?

    a friend saw you, immediately thought of me, & passed it along.

    🙂

    M.

  14. I do weight at home. I have never done them in a gym. I did them six years before I moved and didn’t feel comfortable doing them. My situation changed and about a year later I started doing them at home. I use Joyce Vedral’s books. She has very good illustrations. I do the exercises slower than she recommends so I can feel the muscles working. I might not have the best form, but I haven’t hurt myself.

    Even without a trainer, my form improves over time and I look back at the pictures from time to time to see if I’m doing the exercise right. I have major agoraphobia and I couldn’t face a gym also I don’t have the money. I joined a gym long ago and only went three times although I paid for two years. I like working out at home. It’s easy, convenient, inexpensive and there is no one for me to make a fool of myself in front of.

  15. Hi MizFit. I saw your video at FitBuff. Great illustration of the Tricep Dip. Having proper form is extremely important. I like the suggestion to visit a gym to get a few good points. I think it’s important that everyone realize the potential of at home workouts. There are no reasons for excuses to avoid an at home workout.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This