Think of your first couple months as a learning phase, more than a growth period, and learn compound free weight movements – such as the bench press, rows, deadlifts and squats. After you become more fluid in your lifts, get a training journal and apply a progressive resistance to each workout – before you start a routine, you should know what needs to be performed to beat the previous workout (fitness threshold). A basic upper and lower body workout would be ideal in most cases. Muscle groups can be further split up, as you progress in strength and size, to allow more rest and greater training volume.

Here is some more info for beginners on this site:

• Training muscle memory and motor skills
• Bigger, stronger, leaner: commit to progress
• Rate of muscle growth
• Toned up, an empty ambition
• Guidelines for Growth

Hope this helps!