However, it's far better to do it now instead of waiting for a couple of reasons. The first is that gyms are at their cheapest right now, and as soon as january rolls around they'll jack all their prices up. The second is that you're going to have to train your body to lift weights and exercise. You can't just jump in to it or you'll get hurt/not know what you're doing/waste your time doing curls in the squat rack.
How to buy a gym membership
The first thing you'll probably think about is something like Gold's Gym or LA Fitness. Avoid these places like the plague. Your sign up fee will be something like 200 dollars, then you'll have to pay about 60ish dollars a month, and to cancel you'll have to pay two months up front.
For this you'll get things you'll never use, like 80 elliptical machines, 17 cable curl racks, and a bocce court or something like that. oh and plus they have more gyms than anyone in the world so next time you're on a business trip to sasketchewan you can pop in.
instead of supporting the corporate oligarchy, why not go to a small local gym? All we're going to need here is a squat rack and a flat bench. You don't need much more, and 45 pounds is 45 pounds wherever you are. they're a poo ton cheaper as well, and will let you cancel at any time.
Cool, I got my gym membership, now what do I need?
To go, basically. Don't blow a lot of money buying expensive under armor gear or anything like that. Just about all you need is a pair of gloves, and those cost about 10 dollars. Also a notebook to keep track of what you're doing.
Also, there's really no point in working out if you're not going to eat better. Losing weight involves eating fewer calories (good calories not twinkies) than you expend. Gaining muscle means eating more calories than you burn and eating a poo ton of protein. For our purposes, just don't drink soda, eat fast food, or eat white bread. When shopping at the grocery store, only eat things that are along the edge of the store (stuff that goes bad.)
Cool, no more mcdonalds, now what
If you really want to hit it hard in january and get the body you used to have (you never actually had it you just think you did) then you're going to need to prepare your body to start lifting weights. You can't just jump in to a serious workout routine, especially since all the supporting muscles you'll need are atrophied by now.
the good news is it's very easy to get back into shape, you don't need to put much time in to it, and we can pull it off in about a month. We're going to do three exercises in a 5x5 formation. This means you'll do five repetitions (reps) 5 times, increasing weight every time.
FLAT BACK DEADLIFT
this is the bread and butter. You don't need to stand on any lifts to do this, just do it nice and slow, keep your back straight, and stay controlled at all times.
This is a very simple and easy motion, and works your butt, lower back, calves, quads, shoulder cradle, and lats. It kinda owns.
Flat Bench
The glamor lift. Just because it's the most overrated lift in the world doesn't mean it isn't actually good. The most important thing about the bench press is correct form, and that video is pretty spot on. This is the one where you'll need a spot, but people are always willing to give them. much like with the flat back dead lift, the key is controlling it all the way through. You get just as much from lowering it as you do from lifting it.
The bench works your chest and triceps, and a little bit of your trapezius if you do it right. Also, you'll need your core to keep everything straight and lined up. Plus you can scream and feel awesome.
Squat
Squat is probably the 2nd most important lift and the easiest one to do wrong. You want your feet shoulder width apart, and it's very important to keep your heels on the ground the entire time. Just like with everything else, good form is more important than how much weight you put on.
Squat works out almost everything. Your whole lower body obviously (best butt exercise), your core for stability, your arms for stability, will strengthen joints, and release a ton of endorphins.
How much weight in all these things should I do?
The way the 5x5 is set up is kind of cool. Basically, with your first set of reps, you want to do something easy you won't struggle with. By the last set, you should be struggling to finish it.
Do one specific exercise at once. Don't mix and match. The order you do them in doesn't matter, just that you only do one at a time.
As far as weight progression goes, remember that the bar weighs 45 pounds. It's really up to you how much you go up and what your max is, though you should be able to squat 1.5 times your body weight. It's not that much, I promise.
With the bench and dead lift, a lot of that is genetics. For example, I lift weights about 4 times a week, but I have a pitifully small max for my bench. I have very wide shoulders and very long arms so it makes it harder for me than some, but it still doesn't fully explain it. Just lucky of the draw.
How many times a week do I have to do this?
Just three, and it takes about 30 minutes to do it all. Just increase your first and final rep every single day you do it, and you'll be amazed at how much better you feel and how quickly you'll increase your weight.
But I'm a girl!
You can do the exact same thing. You're not going to get bulky. Those popped out girls you see have stunning genetics, eat perfect diets, and are popping supplements/steroids non stop.
besides, ain't nothing wrong with looking like gina carano
What about crunches to get that flat stomach?
never do crunches, they're worthless. All they'll do is push out the fat around your muscles. Abs are made in the kitchen and on the track.
