Gym Questions

Posts: 223
8/1/11 10:46 A

I agree with Popie! Definitely ask the gym to assign someone who can spend a few sessions with you. There are many advantages to this. First they will teach you how to use the equipment properly (very important in preventing injury). Second, they will help you to determine the proper amount of weight that you should be using. This is important because they will be sure that the weight you are using is heavy enough to provide benefit, but light enough to ensure that you can do the exercises with proper form (again injury prevention). Third they can talk to you about the various muscle groups and make suggestions about what groups you can work together and which groups are separate. This will help to ensure that you aren't working the same muscles too much and other not enough. This will also be a part of a routine that they will start to build for you. Finally it will help you to be comfortable and confident which will make you much more likely to enjoy and continue working with the weights. Remember you can do cardio at the gym, but you can also do cardio any where else. By joining the gym you have the great advantage of being able to get a balance by adding strength training. In the end, the strength training is some what more important to your over all appearance and weight loss than the cardio will be.

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8/1/11 10:26 A

Get one of the professionals to help you. They will write all the adjustments to the machines on a form. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You don't want to get hurt.

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8/1/11 9:55 A

Most gyms have Fitness professionals who should be able to show you how to operate the equipment.

Having said that here are some example of what I do at the gym

10 mins Elliptical
15 Russian Kettlebell Swings (3 sets)
15 Squats throwing & catching 8lb medicine ball (3 sets)
15 Reverse Crunches (3 sets)
30sec Planks (3 sets)
Lunges w 10lb weights (3 sets)
10 Treadmill

Good Luck

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8/1/11 9:42 A

Most gym provide 1 or 2 free consultation with a personal trainer. If your does take advantage of this, get them to set you up a starting routine. Be aware that most often their agenda is to sign you up for a Personal Trainer.

These free sessions can often be enought to get you rolling and then you can make adjustment from there.

Hope that helps.

Popie

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8/1/11 6:02 A

a good routine is 30 minutes of weight training and then 20 to 30 minutes of cardio of your choice.

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8/1/11 3:29 A

Try group classes if you can. They are great because someone else does the thinking for you and you don't have to plan out what you are going to do. I find them very motivating too.

My gym also makes a programme for you, if you wish, so the instructor plans out what you should do to meet your goals.

Other than that, find what you like to do best. Treadmill your deal? Great! Bike more your style? Awesome!

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8/1/11 2:33 A

I really like to do the group classes, either the weights or the cardio like step, cycle, or kickboxing. I also enjoy the Pilates and Yoga maybe once a week for a change.

If I go at a time that there is no class I want to do, this is a typical visit: Weights for about 30 minutes (free weights or the machines that target biceps, triceps, shoulders, backs, etc.) then cardio machines for about 40. For cardio machines, I like to do maybe 20 minutes on the treadmill, mixing it between fast walking on a lower incline or slower walking at a much higher incline. After the treadmill, the elliptical for 10 - 15 minutes, at the highest intensity and speed that I can handle. FInally, I like to do about 10 minutes on a stationary bike, at the highest intensity and speed I can handle. Don't forget to warm up, then cool down and stretch at the end. This will be about 90 minutes at the gym.

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8/1/11 1:57 A

I am starting to go to the gym. This may be a silly question- but, what do I do while I'm there and for how long?? In the past, I have usually walked on treadmill or used bicycle for 30 min for cardio and either called it a day and left or did some of those weight/resistance machines for like 15 min. I don't know what you are supposed to do but I want to max out my trips there so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!