Building a strength base?

[No.]

I've finally signed up at the gym, and the personal trainer/fitness bloke has got me doing a bit of a routine. But I'm a little worried as it consists almost entirely of machine work, and it basically involves me working my whole body each time I go. Not a deadlift, bench or squat in sight!

He did say, however, that he was gonna put me on this program for a start (6 weeks). I'm sort of assuming that this is to maybe build up a bit of a strength base and then he'll get me doing some better stuff? (I'm pretty skinny and haven't had alot of gym experience, although I've read plenty about it, haha)

I didn't really want to say anything and ask why I wasn't using mainly free weights and doing say, a 3 day split with with legs one day, back/triceps the next etc....I figured that he doesn't work at a gym for nothin', so I'll just run with it and see how I go.

Good idea? Or should I just use something like in the Idiots Guide to Growth and start squatting the world straight away?

 

[EFFORT]

A lot of gyms don't want people benching, squatting, deadlifting for insurance reasons.

If i was you i would start out with the idiots guide

 

[Skilla_Staz]

Machines won't help you build a strenght base. Sure, each individual group will know how to work by themselves, but compound free weigh exercises build up the best strength base, but you'll probably end up starting out light.

 

[organizedconfusion]

you'd be better off with buying a barbell and about 300 lbs of weight.you can build a tremendous foundation of strength with just deadlifts,power cleans,military presses,bent rows and curls( if you wanted to work your arms -because we all want big guns!) eat lots and work out ,you'll be big in no time!!

 

[reyalp]

Haha when I first joined my gym a personal trainer gave me a routine like that... I tossed it and got Rippetoe's "Starting Strength" and couldn't be happier :rockon:

wholeheartedly seconded

 

[guitarslinger]

Your PT has probably planned out your first program to a) condition the muscle you already have to lift weights and b) make sure you use the right form on machines etc so you can't hurt yourself trying to throw around weights that are too heavy for you. What he means by a strength base is the smaller stabilizer muscles that help control the larger muscle groups.

Yes, it is a good idea to go light with higher reps to help you get into it, maybe 10 weeks or so. I work as a PT casually and I would say that 9 times out of 10 free weights are better for building your stabilizers than machines, as long as your form is good. I would ask him to do your program again with 50% free weights. After your body is used to it then squat and deadlift to your hearts content!

 

[Mjazz]

Have you heard of the anatomical adaptation phase? Thats at the beginning of when you work out you go through this phase for a couple of weaks to not so much prepare your muscles, but to prepare your joints and tendons to be able to handle the new weight. If it goes longer than 6 weeks and your not off machines by then, just leave, the trainer is probably no good.