As a newcomer to bodybuilding, you can often feel overwhelmed by the books, DVD’s and countless guides available. So where do you start? The first thing you should do, before attempting any strenuous exercise, is consult your doctor. The chances are that he will be happy that you are embarking on an exercise program. It’s a good idea to show him an example of your bodybuilding workout routine so that he knows exactly what you’ll be doing. Bodybuilding consists of progressive resistance exercises which, typically, involve free weights such as barbells and dumbbells., to build muscle and strength. The good thing about using free weights is that your lifting can be tailored to your existing strength levels. Weights come in discs as small as 1¼ pounds to 50 pounds. Power lifters have even heavier discs, but the novice need not bother himself with this. Now that you’ve decided to embark on your training regime you need to think about safety. Your lifting will be tailored to your strengthlevels and therefore will be very safe (as long as you don’t try to overdo it). That said, however, it is always advisable to train with a partner so he can spot for you. You should always complete a thorough warm up before you exercise. A good warm up will lessen the chances of injury. When beginning an exercise you should begin with a moderate weight and high repetitions. So if you normally bench 150 pounds for three sets of ten then you should warm up with 75 pounds for one set of 20 reps. In addition to warming up before each different exercise you should also stretch and warm up your circulatory system by doing skipping or running on the spot. A good warm up cannot be emphasized enough. When it comes time for your first workout, there is no hard and fast rule to how much you should lift but I would suggest starting light with a weight which you know you will be comfortable with…Take it slow and ease into your routine. Separate your training days by at least two days off (more ifyou need it). Follow these guidelines and your bodybuilding workout routines will go smooth and easy.