Tomorrow, I Am Joining The Gym!
Discussion
Evening Everyone
After months of saying I will do it, I am actually joining the gym tomorrow after work
I have rung and booked an appointment with them and everything!
So, who wants to tell me what to do once I have joined?
To give you a quick overview of me. I am 24 years old. Approx 5ft11 and I weigh 14 stone. My main aim to begin with is to lose weight. Ideally I would like to be about 12 stone. This is what my 20 year old Brother weighs and he is about 2 inches taller than me.
I realise I will also need to change my diet to lose weight and I have already started copying what my Brother eats (he goes to the gym every other day before or after work)
So what do I need to be doing at the gym to lose weight? Oh and the 1 thing I wont do is running! It bores me to tears and makes my knees burn like there is no tomorrow! I will happily cycle, row etc.
Cheers
Sammo
After months of saying I will do it, I am actually joining the gym tomorrow after work
I have rung and booked an appointment with them and everything!
So, who wants to tell me what to do once I have joined?
To give you a quick overview of me. I am 24 years old. Approx 5ft11 and I weigh 14 stone. My main aim to begin with is to lose weight. Ideally I would like to be about 12 stone. This is what my 20 year old Brother weighs and he is about 2 inches taller than me.
I realise I will also need to change my diet to lose weight and I have already started copying what my Brother eats (he goes to the gym every other day before or after work)
So what do I need to be doing at the gym to lose weight? Oh and the 1 thing I wont do is running! It bores me to tears and makes my knees burn like there is no tomorrow! I will happily cycle, row etc.
Cheers
Sammo
Well, you should do aerobic exercies (rowing, running, stepping, whatever) and for at least 20 mins straight. Weights won't do anything for weight loss.
The other thing, that most people miss, is to actually keep going. Really you want to target 3 times per week and set actual days of the week so you know when you're quitting on yourself. If you just say "I'll try to go three times sometime this week" then you won't.
A friend of mine works for the one of the big gym chains (won't say which) and has access to their membership stats. Over 50% of their members visit only 0 or 1 times per annum. They pay an average of £27 per month for that.
The other thing, that most people miss, is to actually keep going. Really you want to target 3 times per week and set actual days of the week so you know when you're quitting on yourself. If you just say "I'll try to go three times sometime this week" then you won't.
A friend of mine works for the one of the big gym chains (won't say which) and has access to their membership stats. Over 50% of their members visit only 0 or 1 times per annum. They pay an average of £27 per month for that.
Hi there
A common resolution for the new year it seems! If you don't like running, there are loads of things in a gym which can help. Rowing for about 20 minutes is fantastic. Works on many muscle groups and will have you breaking out in a sweat. The more you sweat, the more weight you are likely to lose.
Also, elliptical machines are good for working muscle groups as well, as long as you have it on some kind of resistance (ie. not level 1)
Otherman did say weights do not help losing weight, but this is not true, as with some intense sets, you can burn off more calories than running. However, you should start off light and build up (either the amount of weight or the number of reps you do, depending on if you want to build bulk or tone)
Hope I helped, and good luck!
A common resolution for the new year it seems! If you don't like running, there are loads of things in a gym which can help. Rowing for about 20 minutes is fantastic. Works on many muscle groups and will have you breaking out in a sweat. The more you sweat, the more weight you are likely to lose.
Also, elliptical machines are good for working muscle groups as well, as long as you have it on some kind of resistance (ie. not level 1)
Otherman did say weights do not help losing weight, but this is not true, as with some intense sets, you can burn off more calories than running. However, you should start off light and build up (either the amount of weight or the number of reps you do, depending on if you want to build bulk or tone)
Hope I helped, and good luck!
otherman said:
Well, you should do aerobic exercies (rowing, running, stepping, whatever) and for at least 20 mins straight. Weights won't do anything for weight loss.
The other thing, that most people miss, is to actually keep going. Really you want to target 3 times per week and set actual days of the week so you know when you're quitting on yourself. If you just say "I'll try to go three times sometime this week" then you won't.
A friend of mine works for the one of the big gym chains (won't say which) and has access to their membership stats. Over 50% of their members visit only 0 or 1 times per annum. They pay an average of £27 per month for that.
Weights won't do anything for fat loss? Thats just outrageously wrong.The other thing, that most people miss, is to actually keep going. Really you want to target 3 times per week and set actual days of the week so you know when you're quitting on yourself. If you just say "I'll try to go three times sometime this week" then you won't.
A friend of mine works for the one of the big gym chains (won't say which) and has access to their membership stats. Over 50% of their members visit only 0 or 1 times per annum. They pay an average of £27 per month for that.
So in a equal hours worth of exercise cardio work will burn maybe more calories but with weights your body will have to spend the next 3 days or so working hard to repair itself and it's this process that uses plenty of additional carlories.
Then add to the fact that the more lean muscle you have the more calories your body will use throughout the day.
Here's my thread where I primarily used weights + some hiit training (high intensity interval training) to achieve a massive change in a very short period of time.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&...
I personally believe with a good diet and weights you can achieve a great body, however I still believe in cardio work for the health and fitness benefits.
otherman said:
Well, you should do aerobic exercies (rowing, running, stepping, whatever) and for at least 20 mins straight. Weights won't do anything for weight loss.
I suggest you speak to your friend at the major chain gym and tell him this news. I bet the whole fitness industry will be interested in your reasoning for this!
Sammo123 said:
So, who wants to tell me what to do once I have joined?
Make a commitment to stick with it, otherwise you are just wasting your time and money.Seriously, the only way to see results is to persevere, and too many people quit too soon as a result of not seeing significant results quickly enough.
otherman said:
Well, you should do aerobic exercies (rowing, running, stepping, whatever) and for at least 20 mins straight.
That's the warm up, what do you do for a session?OP - your appointment should be with an instructor who can show you how to use the machines ad put together a plan for you for the next few months. Make sure you know what you want to achieve so that when they ask you, you don't just say "you know, get fitter/lose weight...". Try to think of what you want to achieve in terms of measurable goals - it makes it easier to measure your progress.
ks!Ok I went for my induction this evening. OH MY GOD its hurts! The induction lasted about 45 mins and was just having quick goes on different things so the guy could work me out a program. Well I was already pretty knackered after that lol so I managed 10 mins on the bike afterwards and then I had to stop!
I'm going back again on Friday and I must say I am actually looking forward to having another go
I'm going back again on Friday and I must say I am actually looking forward to having another go
Sammo123 said:
Ok I went for my induction this evening. OH MY GOD its hurts! The induction lasted about 45 mins and was just having quick goes on different things so the guy could work me out a program. Well I was already pretty knackered after that lol so I managed 10 mins on the bike afterwards and then I had to stop!
I'm going back again on Friday and I must say I am actually looking forward to having another go
Trust me, if you stick at it, it gets a lot easier. I'm going back again on Friday and I must say I am actually looking forward to having another go
It actually becomes quite addictive if you get into it. Take some music and do some cardio and weights a few times a week...sounds like bliss to me!
Sammo123 said:
Ok I went for my induction this evening. OH MY GOD its hurts! The induction lasted about 45 mins and was just having quick goes on different things so the guy could work me out a program. Well I was already pretty knackered after that lol so I managed 10 mins on the bike afterwards and then I had to stop!
I'm going back again on Friday and I must say I am actually looking forward to having another go
It will take a week or two depending on how (un)fit you were, but the pain will give way and you'll feel much more able to push yourselfI'm going back again on Friday and I must say I am actually looking forward to having another go
My only advice would be not to stretch yourself (metaphorically) as you are likely to injure yourself and that could set you back weeks
Grab your Ipod with a "banging" playlist and enjoy yourself, you'll feel better for the rest of the day after doing some exercise and the results will show
As you're aiming for weight loss, concentrate on aerobic activities, as others have stated above. Do some weights, by all means, but aim for light weight and lots of reps, at least to start with.
If you do too much on weights and not enough aerobics, you risk building muscle but retaining any paunch/beer belly you may have.
The main thing is to keep at it!
At this time of year all the gyms are full of 'New year newbies' who come in for 3 months and then disappear as the improvements and motivation start to level off.
This is the crucial time to find that extra reason to keep going.
If you do too much on weights and not enough aerobics, you risk building muscle but retaining any paunch/beer belly you may have.
The main thing is to keep at it!
At this time of year all the gyms are full of 'New year newbies' who come in for 3 months and then disappear as the improvements and motivation start to level off.
This is the crucial time to find that extra reason to keep going.
stackmonkey said:
As you're aiming for weight loss, concentrate on aerobic activities, as others have stated above. Do some weights, by all means, but aim for light weight and lots of reps, at least to start with.
If you do too much on weights and not enough aerobics, you risk building muscle but retaining any paunch/beer belly you may have.
Why lots of reps of light weights?If you do too much on weights and not enough aerobics, you risk building muscle but retaining any paunch/beer belly you may have.
Ive always gone for the philosophy that heavy weights and low reps are better for building bulk strength and a lighter weight but more reps meant building a more toned muscle aswell as some strength of course. Instructor at the gym reckoned that weights were better than aerobic as your metabolic rate will increase significantly more than aerobic in the same time frame, not that he was saying don't do any aerobic of course, just a good balance.
I personally do a good mix, of about an hour CV, do alot of uphill work too, then 45mins-ish of low-medium weights/lots of reps mixing some heavy weights/low reps into the mix depending on what it is. I try and do a fair amount of core work too on the floor mats, oh and boxing too! I find Boxing can destroy me, in a very short time, I feel so drained and knackered yet look at the clock' to find ive only been punching, ducking and diving so a few mins.
Alot of people more gym orientated than me tend to go often but alternate on particular parts of their body, whereas I tend to just do the same routine all the time. Pro and cons I think.
Oh, and if running is hurting you, then get better trainers! Be concious of how you are impacting the treadmill and try and change your rhythm. My missus used to never ever go near a treadmill as it hurt, she bought some new Nike Air trainers (the one you put that Ipod thingy in) and they have a in-step support built in them, she runs alot more now!
If your cramping or hurting, then hold your stretches for longer, that was happening to me from running and my mates a triathelete who said that i bet im just holding a stretch for 10sec odd, he said stretch the main problematic muscles for 60secs. I did, and boy it works!
I personally do a good mix, of about an hour CV, do alot of uphill work too, then 45mins-ish of low-medium weights/lots of reps mixing some heavy weights/low reps into the mix depending on what it is. I try and do a fair amount of core work too on the floor mats, oh and boxing too! I find Boxing can destroy me, in a very short time, I feel so drained and knackered yet look at the clock' to find ive only been punching, ducking and diving so a few mins.
Alot of people more gym orientated than me tend to go often but alternate on particular parts of their body, whereas I tend to just do the same routine all the time. Pro and cons I think.
Oh, and if running is hurting you, then get better trainers! Be concious of how you are impacting the treadmill and try and change your rhythm. My missus used to never ever go near a treadmill as it hurt, she bought some new Nike Air trainers (the one you put that Ipod thingy in) and they have a in-step support built in them, she runs alot more now!
If your cramping or hurting, then hold your stretches for longer, that was happening to me from running and my mates a triathelete who said that i bet im just holding a stretch for 10sec odd, he said stretch the main problematic muscles for 60secs. I did, and boy it works!
Edited by PaulG40 on Friday 7th January 13:12
Edited by PaulG40 on Friday 7th January 13:16
My opinion:
Yes heavy weights burn calories but as for advice for someone new to the gym I'd say concentrate on cardio (as advised above) and light weights/high reps for cardio and defenition. Cardio will get you fit and burn the fat quickly so you see results quicker and keep that motivation up. For the low weight/high rep weight work try lots of core work, deads/chins/squats etc.
Once you're starting to achieve your goals fitness/weight wise then start trying some heavier weights if you want to build your physique.
I'll probably get flamed for this advice which will show one thing. What works for some doesn't work for others both motivation and fitness wise. You'll really need to tailor your routine to what keeps you motivated and what seems to work for you best. This is what PT's are good at if you can afford it!
Hope this helps
Yes heavy weights burn calories but as for advice for someone new to the gym I'd say concentrate on cardio (as advised above) and light weights/high reps for cardio and defenition. Cardio will get you fit and burn the fat quickly so you see results quicker and keep that motivation up. For the low weight/high rep weight work try lots of core work, deads/chins/squats etc.
Once you're starting to achieve your goals fitness/weight wise then start trying some heavier weights if you want to build your physique.
I'll probably get flamed for this advice which will show one thing. What works for some doesn't work for others both motivation and fitness wise. You'll really need to tailor your routine to what keeps you motivated and what seems to work for you best. This is what PT's are good at if you can afford it!
Hope this helps
Big E 118 said:
My opinion:
Yes heavy weights burn calories but as for advice for someone new to the gym I'd say concentrate on cardio (as advised above) and light weights/high reps for cardio and defenition. Cardio will get you fit and burn the fat quickly so you see results quicker and keep that motivation up. For the low weight/high rep weight work try lots of core work, deads/chins/squats etc.
Once you're starting to achieve your goals fitness/weight wise then start trying some heavier weights if you want to build your physique.
I'll probably get flamed for this advice which will show one thing. What works for some doesn't work for others both motivation and fitness wise. You'll really need to tailor your routine to what keeps you motivated and what seems to work for you best. This is what PT's are good at if you can afford it!
Hope this helps
Why light weights and high reps?Yes heavy weights burn calories but as for advice for someone new to the gym I'd say concentrate on cardio (as advised above) and light weights/high reps for cardio and defenition. Cardio will get you fit and burn the fat quickly so you see results quicker and keep that motivation up. For the low weight/high rep weight work try lots of core work, deads/chins/squats etc.
Once you're starting to achieve your goals fitness/weight wise then start trying some heavier weights if you want to build your physique.
I'll probably get flamed for this advice which will show one thing. What works for some doesn't work for others both motivation and fitness wise. You'll really need to tailor your routine to what keeps you motivated and what seems to work for you best. This is what PT's are good at if you can afford it!
Hope this helps
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