Am I doing this right??

Okay so... I just started lifting at home. I have a ton of machines and i don't really know much about lifting so I have a question.

Are you supposed to feel sore after lifting? The very first time I felt sore but not after that. I mean when I work out I get a tingly and feel like my arms and legs are jello.

Also... I'm confused on how much to lift and how many times?

Here's my workout I've been doing... Can someone look at it and tell me if it's okay?


Upper body: mostly on 5 pound weights but the chest press and lays I do 10 pounds.
Chest presses 10 for 4
Bicep curls 10 for 4
Row 10 for 4
Lay pulldown 10 for 4
Tribal extensions 10 for 4
Tricep kickbacks 10 for 4
Oblique twists 10 for 4

Lower body:
Cable hip abduction 10 for 4
Cable flute kickbacks 10 for 4
Leg presses 10 for 4
Calf presses 10 for 4
Lower back extensions on a ball 10 for 2
Crunches 10 for 5
Leg lifts 10 for 4
Adduction on a ball 10 for 4

When I say 10 for 4 I mean 10 times for 4 sets. Just in case that's not how it's supposed to be written. And I do it 4 times a week alternating between upper and lower. Plus cardio.

Anywho.... I just want to know I'm doing something right? How am I supposed to feel after lifting... With cardio you sweat and feel exhausted. I mean I sweat and feel all tired in my lifting too but it not the same as cardio.

I'm not an expert, but I can give you my opinion, which is based on what works for me and some recent articles I've read regarding weight training.

For me, using heavier weight and less reps provided me with the best overall muscle strengh and definition.  You do not need to worry about getting gigantic muscles....

I'd try to decrease the sets and up the weights.  You should do reps until that muscle is experiencing fatigue.  The next day you should have some soreness, but not to the point of pain with every movement....you should be able to tell you worked that muscle the day before.

Should I keep doing cardio on the same days I lift?

Lifting is about progressive resistance. My guess is you're just not using enough weight (resistance) to really do any good. 5 and 10 pounds on some exercises, even for a woman (I know...not PC), is just not enough to get a growth or strength response.

To keep is simple, 8-12 reps are the best way to build muscle. Meaning you should not be able to do an exercise for more than 12 reps or the weight is too light. Once you can do your 4 sets of 12 without killing yourself, ( always use good technique or form ) increase the weight at the next workout to get your reps down to 8 or 10, then gradually try to work up to the 4 sets of 12 again...and again...increase the weight.

You can't keep increasing the weight forever, when you stall out, find some other way to progress. Change exercises, rest less between sets, superset exercises, etc..

Good luck.
Earl