I've got a dilemma I could use your input on.
Since I did the Spring Bootcamp in May, I've been able to maintain my weight between 122 and 124 lbs. This is fine for me.
The problem is this. I've been exercising on my own for four years now, at home and at the gym. I've been trying to find a workout partner at my gym for a long time since I have not had much luck finding a trainer. There is only one gym class I like (a total body strength and tone class that meets for an hour). I can attend it now that I'm not working but I don't always go when things come up at the time of the class.
Well, I found one person who expressed an interest in walking outside with me one day a week and to do partner exercises with me at the gym one day a week. The problem is she has so many medical issues that limits and restricts her from doing what I had hoped to be able to do that I'm not really challenged by our workouts and she needs constant reminders of what we're doing and how to do the exercises. She needs constant correction on her form and technique. She doesn't seem to remember well but then she doesn't take notes, either. She fumbles through the workout, almost as if she's looking for sympathy or attention.
A couple of weeks ago, I found another person at the gym who lost her workout partner and I expressed an interest to be her partner. I knew she was at a higher level than me and figured she could challenge me. I just didn't realize how much higher she was and what I was committing myself to until I startd with her.
She trains 7 days a week for 2 to 2.5 hours a day. She only works one muscle group per day. She does only 3 or 4 different exercises on that muscle group. She does 4 to 6 sets per exercise and she does 25 reps on the first set down to 8 reps on the last set. She increases the weights on each set. The reason why the workouts last 2 to 2.5 hours is because of the long recovery times between each set. I find this extremely taxing and draining. After two days, my muscles are sore and tender and want a day of recovery.
I find the time commitment daunting such that I don't have the time nor the energy to get other things. As much as I like the idea of having a workout partner to meet up with, I'm dreading these workouts as they are extremely intensive and time consuming. Her training goal is body building. That is NOT my goal.
My goals are maintaining muscle mass, strength and toning, endurance and functional fitness. She works on one muscle group a day for so long. I prefer total body workouts for an hour. She has no cardio in her fitness program and I like to run and walk outside. I want to continue doing that while the weather is still nice.
On one hand, there's a girl who doesn't challenge me at all (Person A) and on the other hand, there's a girl who's on the other extreme end of challenge (Person B).
I don't know what to do. I like the walks but don't get much out of the workouts with Person A. I wouldn't mind doing 3 days a week with Person B for 1 to 1.5 hours but she has expressed that I need to be there every day to really make this work.
My thoughts: keep the walks with Person A but drop the workouts. If Person B can't accept my coming three days a week for 1 to 1.5 hours, then I will have to drop her altogether.
Honestly, I would like to get back to my total body workout programs and the gym class.
What are your thoughts?
Geri
4/25/09 Earth Day 5K - first 5K
7/19/10 Michigan Senior Olympics 5K - 2nd 5K
8/1/12 SP Summer Fun Run Virtual 5K - 37:00 PR
7/16/10 Michigan Senior Olympics Weightlifting Competition: Silver Medal Bench Press - 100 lbs!
Spring into Shape Bootcamp 5/28/12
| current weight: 123.0 |
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