The first thing you have to do is decide what type of strength training program to start out with. You have a variety of choices.

· Free weights

· Strength training machines

· Free standing exercises

You also have the choice of whether to work out at home or at the gym. If you go to a gym or fitness center, you have to choose what to focus on - free weights, machines, classes or some combination of them.

Let's look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of these.

Free Weights

There’s a longstanding debate amongst bodybuilders and fitness experts over whether free weights or machines are superior. We aren't going to spend too much time on that question for the simple reason you can gain great benefits from either one! What's really important is you find a workout that suits you and stick with it.

That said free weights do have certain advantages.

· Relatively inexpensive to buy

· You can add weights in very small increments (such as 1/2 pound)

· Very good range of motion with exercises