Gym Rookie Needing Guidance

[2Sox]

Just joined a gym for the first time in a lonnnng time and I'm looking to do things the right way. I always worked out at home with dumb bells, a pull up bar and my own routine but now I have the time to get serious. When I hit the gym before, I had no method at all - and still don't. I'm looking to be more scientific in my approach.

My goal is not to increase bulk or weight gain. I simply want to add definition to what I already have - get to more like a well toned dancer's body and build up some more. Toning and definition and the mass that goes with it is what I need. I have a natural frame for that and I'm not too far from it now. I instinctively know I can go further.

I'm 5'6" and 150lbs, (would like to actually lose about 5 -6 lbs), 66 years old - in excellent shape, having been a long distance runner for over twenty years, and I'm blessed with no health issues at all. (People continually say I appear ten to fifteen years younger.) Slowing my pace considerably but still doing 5 miles a day - five days a week.

So I'm asking for advice on how to reach my goals. If there is a resource I can go to and study up, I'd be grateful to know about it. And of course anything you can contribute here would be great!. Thanks!

[bass]

you simply need to stick to a program, workout routine and a strict diet. what have you been doing before you joined a gym? 5-6 pounds should be easy to get rid of.

[NaturalUN]

Follow some form of split. Maybe a 5 day split with some compound exercises and isolations to really tone your muscles and sculpt them to define. Good luck.

[2Sox]

Thanks, guys.

Bass, I know I'll have no trouble taking off a few pounds. I'm losing already but that's not the issue. I know virtually NOTHING about work out routines so that's the area I was hoping to get some guidance in - or at least some source I can go to that the guys with more experience can recommend.

Natural,
I don't even know what a "split" is! I have some idea of what "isolation" and "compound exercises" mean but would be grateful you clarified for me.

Or just give me the titles of some good basic books for the beginner that you'd recommend. Thanks.

[NaturalUN]

http://forums.steroid.com/lifting-te...echniques.html

That's a sticky in this section if you haven't read that, explains a lot. Maybe look for apps on the App Store, they usually have fitness ones. I could recommend a good one however not sure if I'm allowed to due to forum rules. But if you look on there you'll be able to find ones on the apple App Store. Not sure if the one I have is multi platform. It has tailored programs on their for different goals. You can also store your reps/ sets and weight so you can track it.

With compound and isolation they are what they suggest. Isolation exercises isolate a single muscle I;e - tricep kickbacks - isolate the tricep muscles. Whereas a compound exercise is usually the foundation of a workout and that'd be like bench press/deadlifts/squats/military press. If you're unsure still you can google what they are and you'll find answers in seconds .

[2Sox]

http://forums.steroid.com/lifting-te...echniques.html

That's a sticky in this section if you haven't read that, explains a lot. Maybe look for apps on the App Store, they usually have fitness ones. I could recommend a good one however not sure if I'm allowed to due to forum rules. But if you look on there you'll be able to find ones on the apple App Store. Not sure if the one I have is multi platform. It has tailored programs on their for different goals. You can also store your reps/ sets and weight so you can track it.

With compound and isolation they are what they suggest. Isolation exercises isolate a single muscle I;e - tricep kickbacks - isolate the tricep muscles. Whereas a compound exercise is usually the foundation of a workout and that'd be like bench press/deadlifts/squats/military press. If you're unsure still you can google what they are and you'll find answers in seconds .

Thanks for this! And I don't think the forum rules would prohibit a source we could all learn from. (Administrators: Please let us know if this is incorrect.) We all give links to helpful sites with references from time to time . So, if you would, please give that App. It is a learning source, after all. Thanks.

[NaturalUN]

Well I can edit if it's prohibited, just see people getting flamed for posting links sometimes so I'm edging on the side of caution, but the app is called FULL FITNESS it's helpful to beginners, has videos you can watch too on some exercises but guides you through every one. I use it for tracking my weights, beats taking a journal and a pencil!!
Hope it helps you.