I don't go to a gym. In past years I have had memberships in which I did aerobics classes, but never could get into weight lifting or treadmill (ack! boring!).

However, my 21 yo son finally moved out of my studio which was renovated just in time for him to lose his job and be unable to pay his rent...and now that the studio is empty AND renovated, I can move the weight machine that's been waiting in the dusty workshop into the studio. Since I'm in college, I had planned to read my textbooks while walking on the treadmill, and do some upper body on the weight machine to supplement my riding. (All that put off for the 6 months that dear son/girlfriend/cats were living here.)

But how do I get started lifting weights? The weight machine has a leg part and a pull down part and a heavy bag (which I won't use because of enough problems with my hands already), and maybe some other kind of upper body device.

My goal for lifting is just to be stronger, more flexible, avoid pain, prevent osteoporosis (I'm peri-menopausal). I'm excited about it now that I finally get to start the program. Are there websites that give free advice for this kind of thing? A training routine that's just for good health, and not for powerlifting/body building?

Thanks,
Karen