Newbie Questions

[retired_the50poundMan]

Okay, so I'm 15 years old, 6 feet tall and weigh 130 lbs. From the other posts I have read, I guess I could be called an "ectomorph?" Well anyways I got fed up with hearing, "Gosh you're so skinny, why don't you eat more?" from almost everyone I know so I decided to pick up some weights and try to build some muscle. I saw corey's "complete newb" post, but all I have is two 10-lb dumbells and one 15 lb one so I had to make a new thread to ask questions.

So here are my questions:
And please keep in mind that I am a total newbie at this subject, and that I don't even know whether these questions are just common sense or not.
With that in mind-

1) What exercises would be good for me, considering my lack of equipment?
2) What would be the quickest way to build muscle mass?
3) After I work out, it seems that my muscles are bigger. But after I go take a shower, they slowly start to deflate to normal, and later it seems as if I had never worked out at all. What's happening?
4) After workouts, does it matter if I take a hot or cold water shower?
5) How many days should I work out a week, and for how many hours?
6) Would jogging/swimming help build muscles? (Well this question is kind of common sense, but I mean it in a "would it be better to be jogging than lifting weights" way)
7) Is it true that doing push-ups and only push-ups will eventually make you "big?"
8) Should I buy more equipment? If so what would be most cost-effecient and beneficial?

That's all my questions for now and thanks SOO MUCh in advance.

 

[Twist]

Allright I am a newbie such as you but I can answer a few of your questions.

3) After I work out, it seems that my muscles are bigger. But after I go take a shower, they slowly start to deflate to normal, and later it seems as if I had never worked out at all. What's happening?

As you are working your body the muscle is being used and more blood is being pumped into them making them seem bigger as you cool down the blood flow goes back to normal thus making your muscles look smaller.

4) After workouts, does it matter if I take a hot or cold water shower?

Hot is the way I go it helps to relax your muscles so your not as sore. My folks have a hot tub I use which when I first started lifting helped me abit.

5) How many days should I work out a week, and for how many hours?

I work all week giving sunday to breath BUT I don't work my whole body out. I rotate on a 3 day plan my old man uses.

Day 1 Chest/Arms
Day 2 Abs
Day 3 Legs
Day 4 Chest/Arms
Day 5 Abs
Day 6 Legs
Day 7 Rest

This way I give my body time to heal and rest up.
Worked very well with my old man so I also do it this way.

I also only work out for about 25-30 mins this is not including the time it takes to walk and run 2 miles.

6) Would jogging/swimming help build muscles? (Well this question is kind of common sense, but I mean it in a "would it be better to be jogging than lifting weights" way)

Working out with weights is far better then just jogging/swimming BUT I would do both of them if possible. I currently walk 2 miles with my 9 year old dog (for a warm up) and then run 2-3 miles every night.

7) Is it true that doing push-ups and only push-ups will eventually make you "big?"

If it does then I feel cheated. They do help but doing just them won't give the best results.

8) Should I buy more equipment? If so what would be most cost-effecient and beneficial?

When I was 14 I went to wallmart and got a cheap bench for 69.99.
It came the standard 10 pound bar with 2 Dumbells and 150 pounds of weight.
For the price I payed I got my moneys worth out of it. It is also in the budget of a 15 year old
This will at least get you started and if you end up hating working out...then your only in the hole 70 bucks. I would take a look at your local stores and post the link to what is in your budget im sure the people here can point ya to a good bench.

 

[AJP]

Okay, so I'm 15 years old, 6 feet tall and weigh 130 lbs. From the other posts I have read, I guess I could be called an "ectomorph?" Well anyways I got fed up with hearing, "Gosh you're so skinny, why don't you eat more?" from almost everyone I know so I decided to pick up some weights and try to build some muscle. I saw corey's "complete newb" post, but all I have is two 10-lb dumbells and one 15 lb one so I had to make a new thread to ask questions.

So here are my questions:
And please keep in mind that I am a total newbie at this subject, and that I don't even know whether these questions are just common sense or not.
With that in mind-

1) What exercises would be good for me, considering my lack of equipment?
2) What would be the quickest way to build muscle mass?
3) After I work out, it seems that my muscles are bigger. But after I go take a shower, they slowly start to deflate to normal, and later it seems as if I had never worked out at all. What's happening?
4) After workouts, does it matter if I take a hot or cold water shower?
5) How many days should I work out a week, and for how many hours?
6) Would jogging/swimming help build muscles? (Well this question is kind of common sense, but I mean it in a "would it be better to be jogging than lifting weights" way)
7) Is it true that doing push-ups and only push-ups will eventually make you "big?"
8) Should I buy more equipment? If so what would be most cost-effecient and beneficial?

That's all my questions for now and thanks SOO MUCh in advance.

First, you can't gain muscle mass or any size for that matter without eating, you need to eat, sorry to be blunt.

1. try to get some equipment or join a gym, if not pushups ( a number of variations), pullups, lunges, dips,
2. there is no quick way, eat alot and eat well and start a good routine
5. there is not a set number of days or hours, it shouldnt be hours per day anyway. time depends on what your routine is.
6. jogging/swimming are great cardio exercises, but not to put on muscle.
7. getting big is dependent on your diet
8. yes you should buy more equipment, a basic barbell and weights would be a good start.

read around everywhere some more as well, here, or the internet in general, or books, magazines and the like

 

[retired_the50poundMan]

Thank You

Thanks Twist and AJP! I learned a lot about what kind of exercises to do and am also feeling more confident about knowing how to work out the right way