Gym beginner - what sort of workout do you do when you get there?

trinidadone

Hello all,

so, not been for a few weeks now, so i need to return back to the gym.

I was wondering what sort of workouts do people do???? cardo machines?? weights???? mixture????? streaches???? warm up?? cool downs???

tell me more

MarkFromCornwall

I would never work very hard in the gym if I was devising my own programme so I go to the fitness classes they offer - my favourites are Pilates, core fitness, Insanity and spinning.

trinidadone

MarkFromMullion wrote: »

I would never work very hard in the gym if I was devising my own programme so I go to the fitness classes they offer - my favourites are Pilates, core fitness, Insanity and spinning.

have you tried them? tell me more infor

asajj

Well he said he goes to them so that means he tried them?
Someone at gym should be able to help you with this - go and find one of the staff and ask for help with your workout.

MarkFromCornwall

trinidadone wrote: »

have you tried them? tell me more infor

Yes, I do them regularly. Pilates starts gently but can be taken to an advanced level where it's tough. It builds the strength of the core muscles and has 99% cured my back problem. Core Fitness is similar but more energetic and uses weights to build strength. Spinning is riding an indoor bike (no gears), typically doing repetitions involving bursts of sprinting and some resistance work for building strength (you can adjust the resistance to control how hard it is to turn the pedals). I find it very hard work but it's great for developing cardiovascular fitness and for keeping your weight under control. Insanity is an energetic mix of jogging, jumping, squatting, lunges, push ups, planks and lots more stuff but not using any equipment - it's good all-round exercise. Like I said, if I just went to a gym on my own I wouldn't push myself very hard so I wouldn't benefit so much. Also I'd soon get bored so wouldn't stay very long. These fitness classes are fun in a masochistic kind of way!

trinidadone

MarkFromMullion wrote: »

Yes, I do them regularly. Pilates starts gently but can be taken to an advanced level where it's tough. It builds the strength of the core muscles and has 99% cured my back problem. Core Fitness is similar but more energetic and uses weights to build strength. Spinning is riding an indoor bike (no gears), typically doing repetitions involving bursts of sprinting and some resistance work for building strength (you can adjust the resistance to control how hard it is to turn the pedals). I find it very hard work but it's great for developing cardiovascular fitness and for keeping your weight under control. Insanity is an energetic mix of jogging, jumping, squatting, lunges, push ups, planks and lots more stuff but not using any equipment - it's good all-round exercise. Like I said, if I just went to a gym on my own I wouldn't push myself very hard so I wouldn't benefit so much. Also I'd soon get bored so wouldn't stay very long. These fitness classes are fun in a masochistic kind of way![/QUOT

wow, thewy sound very interesting, i know the gym has classses included in the membership. how freq do you do these clasees?

MarkFromCornwall

I usually do Pilates and Core Fitness and Insanity once a week and spinning once a month because it's SO tough, so I'm doing 3 or 4 classes a week but it's entirely a personal decision. You might try other classes like TRX or circuits and find they suit you better.

trinidadone

MarkFromMullion wrote: »

I usually do Pilates and Core Fitness and Insanity once a week and spinning once a month because it's SO tough, so I'm doing 3 or 4 classes a week but it's entirely a personal decision. You might try other classes like TRX or circuits and find they suit you better.

ok, are there different levels within these classes?

MarkFromCornwall

trinidadone wrote: »

ok, are there different levels within these classes?

Sometimes the class title gives an indication, for example "Abs Blast" sounds energetic whereas "Pilates for Beginners" sounds gentle. There is usually a class description that gives you an idea of what to expect. For example, if it says "ideal for the over-50s" and you are an 18 year old getting fit to join the army then you would probably give that class a miss.

Within classes an instructor will often demonstrate an exercise, then demonstrate one or two harder variations for the fitter members of the class.

trinidadone

MarkFromMullion wrote: »

Sometimes the class title gives an indication, for example "Abs Blast" sounds energetic whereas "Pilates for Beginners" sounds gentle. There is usually a class description that gives you an idea of what to expect. For example, if it says "ideal for the over-50s" and you are an 18 year old getting fit to join the army then you would probably give that class a miss.

Within classes an instructor will often demonstrate an exercise, then demonstrate one or two harder variations for the fitter members of the class.

ok, this sounds all interesting. i really think i will start my first class soon, you have given me alot of knowledge / confidence

WantToBeSE

When you joined the gym, did you have an induction? In that induction, you should have been told what you need to do in order to achieve what you want.

I have just gone back to the gym after a 6 month break and asked them for a programme review. Basically the instructor asked me what i wanted to achieve (to build muscle and get stronger) and then devised a workout routine for me to achieve that goal (weights).

So, i go 3-4 times a week. Once or Twice a week i do the stuff i enjoy (cardio) and the other 2 times a week i do the weights.

I really enjoy the gym again now