18, 130lb, clueless

[negativefps]

Well, I'm 18 and severely underweight.

I have a chance to go to a good gym now and would like to take the opportunity, but I am completely clueless when it comes to training.

My main goal is to gain weight. Is it possible with working out?

Also, I am hoping somebody could help me get started because I sure don't know where.

I really enjoy running and would like to somehow incorporate that into my training routine.

I went a few times already using a guest pass, and thinking of signing up now.
What I did when I went was pretty much run a mile around the track, then either head to the pool and do ~20 laps using butterfly like a girl, or substitute swim and do some random weight lifting.

When I did free weights, most I could lift in every arm was 20 pounds, and using that I only got about 10-15 before I couldn't lift anymore. So as you can see I'm in pretty sorry shape, but would definitely like to fix that, so I'm hoping someone can guide me from here, I can't exactly afford a personal trainer even though I'd very much like to

[Myles]

Use "reading" as your own personal form of training. Check out all the articles on weightlifting on the site, and check the stickies in the forums. Lemme tell you, I had no idea what I was doing until I found this site. The internet is a wonderful tool.

Onto the physical aspect of training. Start eating, and a lot. You need high octane gas to drive a fast car, so find foods with high nutrition to fuel your body. Get yourself some whey protein powder and down one before you work and one after you work out. Make sure your eating protein on rest days.

Check this link: Beginners Routine

Lastly...do compound exercises! They are the best muscle building exercises, and also the most fun. Nothing better then pulling a huge deadlift off with flawless form.

[Nooklear]

It seems like you're doing a lot of cardio for someone who wants to gain weight. Basically cardio will just boost your metabolism... so instead of doing so much of it, maybe just use it as a warmup before you lift. 10 minutes on a treadmill is a nice way of getting all the blood flowing in your body..

But the most important thing you can remember if you want to gain weight is to eat lots and lift heavy. Definitely check out the beginners guide...

You probably won't be hungry every time you eat, just get it down. 3-4 big meals a day filled with lots of carbs and lean meats. And invest in some whey protein powder for pre/post workout shakes.

Good luck!

[ANicholasH]

Gaining weight is always possiple as long as you are eating a surplus of 250-500 calories a day. Just find your maintenance level and eat 250-500 more (lean) calories after that. your maintenance level is what you would normally eat per day.

If your working out a majority of those calories will go for repairing your muscle tissue and whatever. Of coarse if you arent they will turn to fat.

You said you cant lift much? That will change if you train, rest, and eat right dont worry about lifting too much too fast.

If you really care visit this site (and I swear he wont try and sell you a damn thing)
Intense Workout - weightlifting, bodybuilding, weight loss, weight gain, routines

[Dobsey]

It sounds like you were just lifting not really doing reps for a set. Incase you don't know what this is you pick a weight that you can lift with some struggle but not to much for the first couple. Then do 8-10 then rest then do another 8-10 followed by rest another two times...

about 15lbs sounds like it will probably be a good weight for your arms, and chances are like most new people (me to i'm still relativly new) one arm is going to be stronger then the other, so i would start with dumb bells...

And just keep reading around the forum and asking questions it's full of knowledge...

Also don't be embarissed of how much your lifting chances are all the other people there started off at the same weight sometime, and they don't really care your there for the same reason as them one way or another.

[BlackWinterDay]

What does your routine and diet look like?