Starting to enjoy the gym again

andygb

We joined the gym about a month ago, and then we had snow which meant the first week was a complete write off. From then on we missed afew days here and there, and then another complete week, and I was starting to get really frustrated.
However, this week (starting Sunday), we have been four times, and last night was really good:)
We both did about 70 minutes exercise (my OH did a 50/50 cardio/weight machine mix, and I did 100% cardio), but it was the level and the feeling after which made me feel good. I did 35 minutes on a normal upright bike, mostly at level 12, but at 15 minutes, I did 5 x 1 minute intervals at level 15 (with a 2 minute rest at level 7), before cooling down towards the end.
I then did 35 minutes on the cross trainer, again mostly at level 12 (25 minutes) and with a good final cool down to get my heart rate settled down nicely.
The end result was 850 calories burned, but I knew that I had done a good session, and it will hopefully spur me on in the future:)

heartbreak_star

Nice mix of interval training there I love the gym, it's my second home, never understood how people can hate it

Are you intending getting some weights in there too? Free weights are amazing and will help with your cardio.

HBS x

andygb

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Nice mix of interval training there I love the gym, it's my second home, never understood how people can hate it

Are you intending getting some weights in there too? Free weights are amazing and will help with your cardio.

HBS x

I may do, because doing hard cardio sessions like that one would drive me insane if I did them every day.
I have to be careful with weights though, because I used to do competitive sports, and I don't want to build any muscle, I just want to tone up and lose 25 kilos.
I am also going to concentrate on flexibility exercises, because as you get older, this is the thing which can cause all kinds of problems - back trouble being a bad one for me.
As we have the use of badminton and squash courts I may use those once or twice a week, but the only problem is that my OH has zero coordination, and cannot hit the shuttle back over the net, even with me trying to make it really easy for her.

heartbreak_star

Oh bless her, I used to play badminton for the county when I was a kid and ended up teaching those with no co-ordination in our club as I was the only one with patience...though my current cheer squad might tell you different

Heavy weights and low reps will not bulk you out, you'll build really compact, lean dense muscle that will burn calories - win-win situation! I've been doing squats, deadlifts, presses and other free weights for a fortnight with almost no cardio (two hours of dance a week and one walk) and lost 3kg

HBS x

FitnessSeeker

I'm trying to get the OH to join my gym without making her feel self conscious.
Any tips guys?

heartbreak_star

Are you going to go along with her?

Make sure she knows that people there aren't all superfit gym bunnies.

I go on my own, and I was terrified the first few times, but when I realised everyone's only really interested in themselves it was a lot easier.

Good luck!

HBS x

SailorSam

My favourite machine at the gym is the one in the foyer that sells Mars Bars.

heartbreak_star

Good man! Don't forget the one next to it that sells Coca-Cola

HBS x

andygb

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Oh bless her, I used to play badminton for the county when I was a kid and ended up teaching those with no co-ordination in our club as I was the only one with patience...though my current cheer squad might tell you different

Heavy weights and low reps will not bulk you out, you'll build really compact, lean dense muscle that will burn calories - win-win situation! I've been doing squats, deadlifts, presses and other free weights for a fortnight with almost no cardio (two hours of dance a week and one walk) and lost 3kg

HBS x

You may have heard of Brian Wallwork then given that you are from Lancs. I used to "mix it" with Ray Sharpe, Vance Young and the Whetnalls from time to time, and even managed a victory over Peter Knowles before he rose to fame.

I will give the heavy weights, low reps a go for a couple of weeks, but be warned I do not wish to become the "Hulk"!

andygb

andygb wrote: »

You may have heard of Brian Wallwork then given that you are from Lancs. I used to "mix it" with Ray Sharpe, Vance Young and the Whetnalls from time to time, and even managed a victory over Peter Knowles before he rose to fame.

I will give the heavy weights, low reps a go for a couple of weeks, but be warned I do not wish to become the "Hulk"!

Ooops, slight mistake, mixed up my NE/NW:o

cleggy.

FitnessSeeker wrote: »

I'm trying to get the OH to join my gym without making her feel self conscious.
Any tips guys?

Take a photo of her naked and pin it to the fridge door, along with a gym membership form.