Thread: Umm...I'm skinny...help me get buff

I think you should go to a gym. Fuck what others may think, atleast you will be in there trying. Just dont give up. Dedication, hard work, and a good diet will take you where you want to be.

True!!!

Premier is absolutely right.

Originally Posted by The_skinny_guy

Ok, let me start by saying I'm skinny, and willing to do whatever to get buff.

Currently 115 lbs, 5' 8", 16...looking to achieve a better "muscle status" by August. Possible? Where do I start...I have SOME equipment at home, a bike, barbells, and some weird Voit rope thingy majig. I'd rather not go to a gym...mainly becuase I'm so flipping skinny and would rather not look like an idiot.

So yeah...where should I start?(FYI, I HAVE talked to a nutritionist...so the diet thing is covered).

You can defenitely make some gains by August, especially considering you are a begginer, like me. Look at my signature, my gains arent the most impressive in the world but they are based on roughly a 7-8 month period. Buy some creatine, protein and a quality multivitamin,. and yea there really is no substitute for a good gym. No one cares how much your lifting, if they do, theyre a dick and its there problem not yours.

Dude the FIRST thing you shoould do is RUN to the gym. People there will help you get where you want to go ... especially a young mofo like you. I'm 6' and 215 with around 9% Bf ... by no means huge ... but I started at 16 as a skinny 150ish. Go to the gym ... you will be better off.

Get thee to a gymmery, friend. You'll never work the same at home, especially just starting out. Too many distractions, not enough motivation. Also, if you go to a good one, there will be people there to help you and work with you just for the asking.

And don't fret looking like a skinny punk. We all gotta start somewhere (and for many of us it wasn't skinny.) Most people are there to work, not look at the people around them. And the ones that are there to look...screw 'em. If you're really worried, search for posts about what pisses people off in the gym, then don't do those things. Start with weights that work for you, and check your ego at the door. Ask for help, and listen, and you'll be fine.

Get your ass into the gym.

You sound like my buddy. I've been buggin him to get into the gym for years. He always said, o just let me lose some weight first(hes about 3 bills) blah nlah blah. Guess what he didnt lose shit at his housein all that time. So just last month I finally pursuaded him to go and now he wishes so much that he started back when I first brought it up....and his results in one month have crushed what he achieved at home in 2 years.

Leave your ego at the door..I worked out on home sets for 2 years and never acheived the results I have acheived in the 6 months or less That I have been going to Golds Gym. Most of the bigger guys at the gym are more anxious to help you out, not belittle you.

heh...I knew everyone was going to say "Go to the gym!".

I fear the gym...

Dont fear the gym dude.... every fat guy in there is jealous of you.

Originally Posted by The_skinny_guy

heh...I knew everyone was going to say "Go to the gym!".

I fear the gym...

That's understandable. Face your fears like many others don't. Hell I see some waaaay overweight peeps lifting and I think "cool......good on you man!!"

I'm not really the "Shower with other men" type.

Originally Posted by The_skinny_guy

I'm not really the "Shower with other men" type.

who said anything about a shower?

Doesn't everyone shower after going to the gym?

(at the gym?)...I don't want to walk out of the gym without showering and people going "wtf? He doesn't shower?".


Stupid fears...insecurity sucks

Originally Posted by The_skinny_guy

I'm not really the "Shower with other men" type.

I never get in the showers at the gym. I just drive home a filthy mess and hop in the shower when I get home. I could care less.

Joining a gym is the best thing I have ever done. Believe me, it makes a difference. I worked out at home for a long time, but it's not the same. Here is a routine I suggest you follow:

Deadlifts 2 x 8-12
Olympic Squats 2 x 8-12

Bent Rows 2 x 8-12
Chinups 2 x 8-12

Bench Press 2 x 8-12
Military Press 2 x 8-12

Decline Situps 2 x 12-15
Hyperextensions 2 x 12-15

Standing Calf Raises 2 x 12-15

Do this routine three days per week with a day of rest after each session. Every other day is also acceptable. Don't goto failure every time all the time. A lot of people make that mistake, but it is really too much. As well, you should consider starting out by doing bodyweight exercises for 1-2 weeks before setting foot in the gym (Body squats, situps, pushups, pullups, etc.) As well, take it gradually when you get in the gym. Don't be afraid to start at 15-20 repetitions for another week or two after that. Playing it safe is the best thing to do.

Beyond training, diet reigns supreme. After your beginner gains start to taper off, diet will become the most important factor in terms of you gaining muscle. You will undoubtedly gain some fat with it, but you can always lose that later. Read this to help you get started eating right:

Guide to Cutting, Bulking & Maintenance

Good luck.

Originally Posted by The_skinny_guy

Doesn't everyone shower after going to the gym?

(at the gym?)...I don't want to walk out of the gym without showering and people going "wtf? He doesn't shower?".


Stupid fears...insecurity sucks

I live 5 minutes from the gym, so I never shower there. Plus, I learned real fast that the locker room has some weirdos hanging out there. Too many freaks in there for me... Just work out and forget about the other guys. All you need to pay attention to are the good looking chicks at the gym. Trust me... there is always someone skinnier than you are. Learn how to workout, have a plan, and know what you are doing - that puts you ahead of 90% of the guys at the gym. Workout with intensity and that puts you ahead of 5% more.

I feel your pain man. I was in the same boat when I was younger. What I did, and I suggest, is I saved up enough money and got a gym membership and hired a personal trainer for 12 week session (paid about $450 for the trainer) He taught me how to use every machine in the gym the PROPER way and set me up on a program to follow for the best gains. The things I learned in those 12 weeks was priceless in my eyes.

Ok, I got some simple yet stupid questions about going to the gym.

umm..

- Should I carry a towel around...
- Should I put a towel down on the equipment before I use it...(I seriously don't know)
- Shorts and a tee are the best attire?
- Should I show up at the gym already changed? Or just change there...
- Does " Olympic Squats 2 x 8-12" mean, do 8-12 reps...2 times...with a break in-between?

ok, thats all my questions

Originally Posted by The_skinny_guy

- Should I carry a towel around...
- Should I put a towel down on the equipment before I use it...(I seriously don't know)
- Shorts and a tee are the best attire?
- Should I show up at the gym already changed? Or just change there...
- Does " Olympic Squats 2 x 8-12" mean, do 8-12 reps...2 times...with a break in-between?

-Yes, if only to wipe down equipment after you use it.
-It's required at my gym, but not most. (Saves wear and tear on the machines.) Just ask at the gym you go to.
-Wear what's comfortable, within limits. Shorts, sweats, Tshirt, long sleeve Tshirt, whatever. Sneakers too. Be comfortable. If nothing else, look around you.
-Depends on the gym, your schedule, etc. I usually work out at lunch, so I change and shower there.
-Yup.
Look online for a gym near you, and they will usually let you try the place out for a week or so at no charge. Don't commit until you find one you like. If you don't really want to be there, you won't go. Don't give yourself a reason to stay home!

im 21 probably skinner then you, dont feel bad I dont.

get your heroin nasty looking ass into the gym

the fact that youre afraid makes me want to rap your frigin head in with an olympic bar

and you can forget what your "nutritionist" said cuz you wont grow any Lean with that plan

Originally Posted by The_skinny_guy

Ok, I got some simple yet stupid questions about going to the gym.

umm..

- Should I carry a towel around...
- Should I put a towel down on the equipment before I use it...(I seriously don't know)
- Shorts and a tee are the best attire?
- Should I show up at the gym already changed? Or just change there...
- Does " Olympic Squats 2 x 8-12" mean, do 8-12 reps...2 times...with a break in-between?

ok, thats all my questions

Go to the gym in shorts and t-shirt ready to go, bring a small towel (it's courtisy to wipe off the equipment when you are done) and shower when you get home. No one will laugh at you for using light weight, but they will laugh if you are using the machines wrong.

Originally Posted by ASSPUNCTURE

get your heroin nasty looking ass into the gym

the fact that youre afraid makes me want to rap your frigin head in with an olympic bar

and you can forget what your "nutritionist" said cuz you wont grow any Lean with that plan

Big muscles...small brain.

Now stop e-thuging and maybe give some people some respect. It works wonders on your image


Unless you meant that in a friendly way....then I just don't know what the fuck...

At that weight, you probably have the potential to put an insane amount of muscle mass on in a short period of time, assuming your eating an insane amount of food. Maybe 20-25 LB's LBM in your first year...

everyone says to me i would never go to a gym by myslef and have people stare at me or laugh at me but people just dont care they are at the gym to do their own work out just as you are, and as their concerned their work out is far more important than watch you strugle to lift a few pounds, before you know it that weight will increase and you will get used to the gym and would not want to consider going home to workout with a few dumbells rather than working at gym.

sign up and it should be cheap for you being 16 you might be lucky enough to get sutdent discount if your still studying, and relax no one cares what your doing in the gym as long as it doesnt disturb them

Neo

Yup, take a towel, a bottle of water and some tunes to listen to while you work out.

Originally Posted by njc

Buy some creatine

Don't use creatine. You don't need it at 16. It won't do anything for you and causes extra stress on your kidneys. Which will already be a little more worked from all the protien you have to eat.

only old men shower at the gym. Almost nobody under 45 will get in a gym shower.

you aren't any skinnier than a lot of guys who lift at my gym, I would think less of a skinny guy who didn't try to improve than one who did.

When I was 16 I was probably 5'9'' 120, I started lifting my sophmore year of highschool and couldn't even bench my own weight. Now I am 22, 5'11'' 174; I bench around 260 or so.

Ok, thanks for the advice