When to start weights?

Question

I'm 17 years old and was just wondering when I should start using weights.

When I was 15, I was 260 pounds. Since then (almost 2 years) I've lost about 70 pounds (I weigh about 193). In my mind, I've always said once I get small enough I'll start weights but I'm not sure.

I'm afraid if I use weights because I'll get big. My goal in the first place was to look tall and skinny, with some muscle if I ever take my shirt off. I'm 6'2 in height. I don't want to look big in clothes just because I have a lot of muscle, this has happened to a lot of my friends.

I also do about 3-5 miles a day on the treadmill for a workout.
Should I wait untill I'm 180 pounds and then start working out?

Answer 1

People have TOO MANY misconceptions about resistance training. This is largley due to the fact theweight training has been stereotyped as for people who want to be big or for bodybuilder or for athletes. In fact, people need to open their eyes to the reality.

Fist and foremost, a few things ned to be understood. Weightlifting, is anaerobic and has A LOT OF CARDIOVACULAR BENEFITS!! Do not allow yourself to misuse the word to the word cardio to ONLY meaning aerobic exerise.

Now, look at life. How often do you need to do something, anything for a short period of time and do it fast? For example, chasing a school bus, lifting a heavy box? How about shoveling snow or moving dirt? Walking up a flight of stairs or countless other daily activities... Our life is ANAEROBIC but we train (exercise) aerobically. Jogging will make a fast sprinter (nor vice verse), you will never lift heavy object by running. We live anaerobic lives so train that way!

To answer your question, NOW! Start learning to lift weights and start understanding the beauties and benefits that can be gained from resistance training and other anaerobic exercise.

Answer 2

Weights won't make you big if you don't lift for size. Try doing a circuit training program where you have very little rest between sets. (30 seconds) . You will get a cardiovascular benefit out of it but it won't allow you to get big. You will get a toning benefit from it that will allow you to have that skinny look with some muscle definition that you want. If you do a full body circuit training program with a couple exercises for each major muscle group and do it 3 non consecutive days a week, you will see the results that you want.

Answer 3

Start NOW.

Muscle burns calories and fat does not, which means your body will need more calories to maintain itself. If your diet remains the same, then your body will burn more fat to make up the difference. You will lose weight faster.

Weightlifting won't necessarily make you bulky. You've got three general options: bulk, strength, or toning.

Also if running is your only exercise, you're not going to be truly fit (and it's boring doing the same thing all the time). You need a more balanced and varied regimen. There are a lot of sources of good advice on fitness available. The one that I like best is below.

Answer 4

ok first off, stop it! y do people think that your not supposed to lift when your losing weight that's totally not true. Lifting weights helps you build muscle. muscle burns calories. burning calories makes you skinner. If your scared of looking bigger it won't be b/c your lifting, it'll be b/c your eating incorrectly. lifting weights doesn't make you fat or anything like that all it does is build muscle. the only thing that builds fat is poor diet and eating habits.

Answer 5

I'm 14 and lift weights, but i stopped... my muscles got too big!

Answer 6

You'll only get big if you lift and eat more at the same time. Lift and eat less and get lean muscle.

Answer 7

At 17 you should be doing weights if thats what you want to do.

Answer 8

Hit the weights my man.

Answer 9

You can start weight now! i started about your age and you develop very fast when you are young..good luck!