Exercise routine for weightless

llh189

I have just joined a gym that offers both classes, gym and swimming!

I want to get out a bit more, lose some weight and generally feel better!

I am also embarking on a better eating plan than I was having, but the internet is full of conflicting advice!

Some says 3 times a week, other an hour a day!

My gym is near work so probably won't use it during the weekends, I was thinking initially doing three classes a week, two spinning and one boxercise!

I am rubbish at swimming but will use the steam room , I quite like the cross trainer and step machine, not really in to weights, find them a bit boring and weightlifting guys intimidating!

What would you guys suggest as a good routine to get myself started?

Thanks

Carina_Pieries

Hi ,

I used to be intimidated by the weight lifters too but honestly pay no attention to them. In my gym half of them just stand about leaning on the machines! [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The weight machines allow you to perform a variety of exercises and some machines are designed to work out individual muscles. I prefer the machines as they are generally easier to use as they stabilize the body part and are safer than free weights. You need to develop good form when lifting free weights so you risk injuring yourself. Free weights will stimulate your muscles more as you have to work harder to stabilize the weight. I like doing a circuit in the gym although I know some people prefer to work out specific muscles at each workout. Start off light maybe 5kg-10kg on the machines, just so you can use to the movement. Maybe invest in a weight lifting book for beginners or search the net and you will learn the correct techniques for lifting free weights.

I know what you mean though, there is alot of conflicting advice about the duration of workouts. For me if I manage to fit in 3 sessions a week for an hour and half each time Im happy!

If you are not comfortable with weights you could consider booking a personal training session just to show you how to use the weight machines and how to do free weights.

Hope that helps somewhat and well done on joining the classes! Ive been with my gym for two years and Im too nervous to try the classes! Boxercise is meant to be a great calorie burning class. I love hitting the heavy bag with my brother though I didnt appreciate him waking me up at 10pm last night to hit the bag for half an hour!

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llh189

Thanks for your reply, I did ask the advice of one of the personal trainers and to be honest they seem to have been chosen at my gym for their style as opposed to their substance - he was very pretty though :-) and then tried to flog me training sessions but as the gym is £60 a month I'd prefer to give him / them a miss as at this rate I'll be bankrupt!

Gloomendoom

Mrs G uses "The New Rules of Lifting for Women" as her guide. She spends about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half working out three times a week. She has found any more to be counter productive.

It does require some dedication though so may not suit everybody.

Carina_Pieries

llh189 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, I did ask the advice of one of the personal trainers and to be honest they seem to have been chosen at my gym for their style as opposed to their substance - he was very pretty though :-) and then tried to flog me training sessions but as the gym is £60 a month I'd prefer to give him / them a miss as at this rate I'll be bankrupt!

PT sessions do cost the earth at my gym too but as a beginner I benefited from them purely because my free weights technique was crap! I wouldnt be able to concentrate with a male trainer thats why I went for a female trainer but she was soooo tough! I would say invest in some books or pick up the womens health magazines. The guide to body toning by womens fitness is very good for beginners. I just nick my brothers books , he has hundreds of them! Good luck