It is far better to start out too light than too heavy. With your light weight, do a warm-up set of 15 repetitions, while perfecting the correct lifting technique. Going to total muscle fatigue with a challenging weight is not a useful objective in your first few weeks of training. When trying a new lift or starting a new routine, the objective is to practice and perfect your technique, and to learn how to concentrate on the muscle you are exercising.
Proper breathing is essential in weightlifting.
If you hold your breath while lifting a weight, you run the risk of raising your blood pressure and starving your brain of oxygen. Also, when selecting the weight for a machine exercise, be sure to push in the pin all the way. Wear a weightlifting belt on exercises that place stress on your lower back, for example for bent-over lifts such as Squats, or Barbell Rows. Peruse past editions . Inc. All rights reserved.