@Amelia Roberts focusing just on squats and bench press for the first few weeks is smart, but the key is progressive overload and recovery. it is not like you do one day squat only then skip it completely for a week.
instead, you can set a frequency of 2 3 times a week for these lifts with controlled volume, like 3 sets of 5 reps, then slowly increase weights.
Also, mixing in accessory movements that support those big compound lifts is often ignored but crucial. For example, hamstring curls or dumbbell rows help balance out the squat and bench press by strengthening stabilizers and preventing injury due to muscle imbalances.
If you hit only those lifts for a few days without variation, your progress will stall fast and you risk overuse injuries. A more precise way is to have a well spaced plan with a couple of primary lifts per session, some accessory work, and light cardio on off days for recovery.
I have seen beginners get faster gains and avoid plateauing when they track weights and reps closely, like logging each session with an app or physical notebook.
Without that, it is too easy to hit random weights and confuse your body instead of building strength systematically. Gold’s Gym trainers are quite good at helping beginners set such cycles, so you could also take a few sessions there just to have a concrete program tailored to your current condition. Otherwise,
YouTube channels with proper coaching can work, but feedback on form and progression is limited remotely.