Getting into exercise

[lechat]

Spoiler

Nobody mentioned weight training yet?

6'2" and 67kg is really quite skinny, so you may benefit from bulking up a bit. Whether you then use your new-found strength to get into sports or other activities, or whether lifting in itself becomes your main focus, is up to you.

You can do an effective weight training workout in 45 minutes, three times a week. The downside is a barbell (the long bar, not the dumbbells that you hold in each hand) is all but vital. Two routes you can take now: either build a home gym and buy weights yourself (expensive, but after the initial outlay you won't need to pay another penny in your life) or get a gym membership (shop around, see if you're eligible for any discounts, and this may well be the more affordable route).

A decent gym session involving compound (whole body) movements will soon knock you into better shape than running until you puke your guts up or making yourself sore with a thousand pushups.

This is the information source I'm currently using: http://stronglifts.com/

I'd recommend you consider it! Lifting big bits of metal over your head has many misconceptions attached to it: it's just for bodybuilders and steroid users, gyms are scary and unfriendly places, weight training is just for big bulky jocks. All untrue! Both genders and all ages can benefit from weight training. It's low-impact (easy on the joints), you'll only be working out three times a week, and it won't aggravate your asthma.

i already touched on weight training but since he hasn't stated his goals yet i didn't go into too much detail
i'm interested in why you would suggest a barbell when dumbbells can do exactly the same exercises and more while also engaging more stabilizing muscles. i definitely wouldn't say there isn't a case for barbells but as far as beginners go i would always advise dumbbells

 

[Batou667]

i already touched on weight training but since he hasn't stated his goals yet i didn't go into too much detail
i'm interested in why you would suggest a barbell when dumbbells can do exactly the same exercises and more while also engaging more stabilizing muscles. i definitely wouldn't say there isn't a case for barbells but as far as beginners go i would always advise dumbbells

Exactly the same exercises? Not always. Sure, you can dumbbell press instead of bench press, but at heavier weights it's difficult to put the weights down in a controlled way. Squatting and deadlifts with dumbbells would be awkward if not impossible, and many gyms wouldn't carry dumbbells heavy enough anyway. In my opinion dumbbells are mostly for assistance or isolation exercises, which beginners really don't need to be bothering with.

 

[lechat]

Spoiler: this probably belongs in a bodybuilding forum. not here. feel free to skim OP

Exactly the same exercises? Not always. Sure, you can dumbbell press instead of bench press, but at heavier weights it's difficult to put the weights down in a controlled way. Squatting and deadlifts with dumbbells would be awkward if not impossible, and many gyms wouldn't carry dumbbells heavy enough anyway. In my opinion dumbbells are mostly for assistance or isolation exercises, which beginners really don't need to be bothering with.

at his weight he will be using lighter weights and will need to focus on building stabilizing muscles and coordination before he starts adding weight something barbells are worse at
squatting and deadlifts are usually better with barbells but again with his body type he can easily do those effectively with no weights or very light ones.
and ill admit i haven't been to a gym for a while but last time i did go they offered dumbbells up to 40kg (80ish pounds) which should be years away from the average beginner and if you are working out at home there is no limit to how much you can add (or up to 100kg at least)
dumbells allow for a greater range of motion and a change of angle if you want to alter the exercise or have bad joints or muscle pain.

the main argument for barbells is you can add weight slower because of less plates and focus better on form if you have lopsided body strength. barbells hide weaker muscles by allowing others to compensate generally allowing you to lift more but just because you are lifting more does not mean you are engaging more muscles or on the same level.
ideally you would use both but if i had to choose i would always pick dumbbells

 

[Batou667]

Spoiler: spoilered for space

at his weight he will be using lighter weights and will need to focus on building stabilizing muscles and coordination before he starts adding weight something barbells are worse at
squatting and deadlifts are usually better with barbells but again with his body type he can easily do those effectively with no weights or very light ones.
and ill admit i haven't been to a gym for a while but last time i did go they offered dumbbells up to 40kg (80ish pounds) which should be years away from the average beginner and if you are working out at home there is no limit to how much you can add (or up to 100kg at least)
dumbells allow for a greater range of motion and a change of angle if you want to alter the exercise or have bad joints or muscle pain.

the main argument for barbells is you can add weight slower because of less plates and focus better on form if you have lopsided body strength. barbells hide weaker muscles by allowing others to compensate generally allowing you to lift more but just because you are lifting more does not mean you are engaging more muscles or on the same level.
ideally you would use both but if i had to choose i would always pick dumbbells

All good points but I still think the OP would be better off focusing on compound movements rather than starting off with isolation exercises from the get-go. But hey, let's not scare the poor guy off before he's even got in the gym! Good luck with whatever you decide to do, OP.

 

[lechat]

Spoiler: spoilered for space

at his weight he will be using lighter weights and will need to focus on building stabilizing muscles and coordination before he starts adding weight something barbells are worse at
squatting and deadlifts are usually better with barbells but again with his body type he can easily do those effectively with no weights or very light ones.
and ill admit i haven't been to a gym for a while but last time i did go they offered dumbbells up to 40kg (80ish pounds) which should be years away from the average beginner and if you are working out at home there is no limit to how much you can add (or up to 100kg at least)
dumbells allow for a greater range of motion and a change of angle if you want to alter the exercise or have bad joints or muscle pain.

the main argument for barbells is you can add weight slower because of less plates and focus better on form if you have lopsided body strength. barbells hide weaker muscles by allowing others to compensate generally allowing you to lift more but just because you are lifting more does not mean you are engaging more muscles or on the same level.
ideally you would use both but if i had to choose i would always pick dumbbells

All good points but I still think the OP would be better off focusing on compound movements rather than starting off with isolation exercises from the get-go. But hey, let's not scare the poor guy off before he's even got in the gym! Good luck with whatever you decide to do, OP.

agreed let the op weigh (pun /win) the options and if he sees fit he can do some googleing to decide for himself