just starting

[Newbie]

Ok, me and my partner from work jsut started lifting about 2 months ago. We are having a hard time figuring out what kind of lifts to do. We want to build up arms, chest, legs, and abs. If anyone could help us out that would be great.

 

[Charger]

Welcome Newbie,
I can't believe no one has used Newbie as a handle?
Anyway, you need to do compound movements. Some may disagree because you are new but IMO Squats, Deads, and Bench are a must if you are to build. All the isolation movements are not going to do that much for you, it's compound movements that add mass.
Start light, and go slow is also the next piece of advice, check the ego in at the door. Squats and deads are very easy to injure yourself if you move the weight up too fast.

I would use a basic push/pull routine, 3 days a week, Chest/tri's/shoulders day 1, legs/abs day 2 , and Back/bi's day 3.
Your triceps are the biggest muscle in your arm, not the bicep, if you want big arms, be sure to work your tri's.
Good luck , if you do a search, I am sure you will find some routines.

 

[Arnold]

I agree, use basic, compound exercises and build up a foundation:

Squats
Rows
Deadlifts
Bench Press
Barbell Curls
Skull Crushers
Military Presses

 

[Newbie]

Hehehehe guess i got lucky with the name huh?

OK, right now we have been doingthe following:
CHEST
dumbell press, bench, and flys
ARMS
overhead cable extensions, pull downs with a rope, reverse dumbell extensions, standing dumbell curls, standing curl bar curls, preacher curls, and cable cross pulls
LEGS
leg extensions, leg curls, leg press, calf raises
We also do leg lift partner throw downs and crunches for abs and cable cross pulls and seated military press. We generally go 3 days a week and work arms one day and then legs and chest the next and just alternate. the legs throws and crunches we do every time we work out. and sometimes I end up at the gym alone because he can't make it.
Someone told me we shouldn't do chest and arms(bis and tris) on the same day because you are working the same muscle groups in your arms multiple times and not able to concentrate on your chest as much.

 

[Charger]

Originally posted by Newbie
Someone told me we shouldn't do chest and arms(bis and tris) on the same day because you are working the same muscle groups in your arms multiple times and not able to concentrate on your chest as much.

Ok, first let me say this, it is fine to do chest/arms together, but IMO I would do chest first since this is a major muscle and it will involve tri's. Bi's won't be involved, bi's are used for pulling movements. I would suggest doing bi's with back, tri's with chest and seperate them.


Now moving on, looking at your routine I would like to offer one bit of advice and suggest one major change.
As Prince and I have said, stick to compound exercises. You really need to learn to do squat and deads!
Also I don't see Back mentioned, deads are ofcourse for your back.
I remember when I first started, I wanted the big arms, chest and legs, who wants a big back? In order to get that V shape you need to work your back.

 

[Newbie]

Great, thanks a bunch guys. Today I did deads for the first time, kinda reminds me of lifting a patient on the strecther, I really enjoyed it.
Also did some cleans, not sure what area that works, but felt about like the same group...back??? Haven't done those since high school and that was 12 years ago.
Still nervous about squats though, do you think maybe I should get a weight belt like they made us use when I was in school.

Well going to bed now, and I feel all pumped.....ahhhhh I love it.