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Anonymous
Hey /fit/

So I've pretty much been doing push ups and sit ups all my life. I wanted to try weight lifting. Before I start, what should I know? Whats the difference between machine and free weights? What do I eat before and after a work out? What work outs should I even do if I only want strength and not mass?
>> Anonymous
/rs/ starting strength, read it.
>> Anonymous
>>352902
Thanks. I will.
>> Anonymous
www.stronglifts.com

Kind of a point of contention on the board, but it offers good, concise info. It's like a super-condensed Starting Strength for laymen that also incorporates diet and lifestyle.
>> Anonymous
http://exrx.net/Beginning.html

Read around on that first, and then head over to http://exrx.net/ExInfo/Etiquette.html

Biggest difference between machines and free weights is that free weights will work additional stabilizer muscles and will give you a more natural and efficient motion.

There's a lot more to dieting, but basically people will tell you to eat 'clean' foods. http://www.wannabebigforums.com/showthread.php?t=46565
This is where I started out figuring out how to work a diet.

And as for strength and mass, if you've been only doing push ups and sit ups I imagine you don't have much of either. You don't really need to worry about strength training as opposed to a regular weight training regiment until you can deadlift/squat 1.5x your body weight and bench 1.25x your body weight.

Just make sure you do a LOT of reading;
t-nation.com
bodybuilding.com
wannabebig.com
Some of the places I lurk
>> Anonymous
>>352914
>>352911
Thanks for the help guys. I will also look into those.
>> Anonymous
Build yourself a strong base with 2-3 months of getting accustomed to weight lifting. Work on developing perfect form and stay off those machines (they suck) Work hard but work smart, you should be finishing your workouts exhausted, but not dying.