Whatever the reason, if you haven't lifted before, don't rush blindly into the process after watching Schwarzenegger and Ferrigno go at it in Pumping Iron. If you do things incorrectly, you won't be hitting the bench, you'll be sitting on the bench with an injury.

"I'd put beginners on machines first, so there is less of a likelihood of a mistake in technique. You won't have to worry about controlling the weight while lifting," says Richard Cotton, spokesman for the American Council on Exercise.

Cotton recommends a standard circuit on machines to get started, one that exercises all primary muscles groups: biceps, chest, triceps, shoulders, back, abdominals and legs. The important thing, he says, is to use the right technique on these exercises from the beginning, so you don't develop bad habits, and you don't hurt yourself. "Technique is the thing," explains Cotton.

A personal trainer can aid you significantly in maintaining the correct technique. However, for those who eventually want to work out independently, Cotton recommends a program that will let you accomplish this goal. "It helps, especially in the beginning, to have someone observing your technique. People should really start strength training with a personal trainer. Use a personal trainer twice a week for two weeks. Then, move to using a trainer once a week for two weeks. Gradually you'll be able to move to once a month for the next four months," he says.

Think of strength training like any other sport. It helps to have a lesson or two from the get-go. This is especially crucial with strength training, as the risk of injury, from minor to major is great.

Of course, before starting a strength-training program or any exercise program, it's a good idea to first consult a physician.

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