Trying to set up an exercise routine

**lady00** · 10-03-2008, 04:33 PM

I am trying to start exercising on a regular basis. Right now, I do not really go to the gym. The amount of exercise I get is limited to walking. I do not have a car and everywhere I need to go is within walking distance of my home. So I walk at least half an hour every day, just getting around. I am trying to add to this by going to the gym. I want to work my way up slowly to a full exercise routine that I can actually stick to. So far, I plan on going on the treadmill at least five times a week for a half an hour (mixed jogging and walking). And then I hope to start adding to this. I want to stay at the weight I am now or lose a couple pounds (maybe 5) so basically I want to stay the same weight and I do not want to have any sort of drastic weight loss. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Up and Down · 10-03-2008, 04:42 PM

Are you opposed to weight training. IMHO, I think that you need three things to be in good shape, cardio, lifting weights and/or something like yoga, and diet.

**lady00** · 10-03-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Up and Down

Are you opposed to weight training. IMHO, I think that you need three things to be in good shape, cardio, lifting weights and/or something like yoga, and diet.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm not opposed to weight training...I've never done it or really thought about it...also don't know much about it (or yoga, for that matter). Are there any books/articles that you would recommend?

MollyElise · 10-03-2008, 04:44 PM

You should really try and add some weight training, it is so good for your body. Not only will it make you stronger and healthier it will help make you look 'toned'.

Good luck!

Up and Down · 10-03-2008, 04:50 PM

I don't really have any books, just worked out for the past 14-15 years, but I heard a lot of people like body for life by Bill Phillips.

I workout anywhere from 4-5 days a week and split that time into about 35-45 minutes of weight training and 30 minutes of cardio. Works for me. You need to find a routine that you like otherwise you will quit, after a while it just becomes habitual. I miss the gym if I don't go, on the road traveling etc. I think it calms me and lets me get some good thinking in. Believe it or not lifting is very mental...despite some of the meat heads you see in the gym.

Do you know any one else that works out that could go with you and show you ropes so you can work out a good routine.

JeckyllNHyde · 10-03-2008, 05:41 PM

i think you should just join a gym and then see if the trainers there will just give you a run down of how to use the machines.
you can do 20-30 minutes on the treadmill (seeing as you already walk about 30min. a day) and 45 minutes or even more if you wish of weights.

the trainers at the gym may even give you a whole work out routine you can follow. usually i go online and you can find a ton!
i dont remeber the site i used to visit, i think it was bodybuilding.com or something. you wont bulk up, only tone up if you use weights and gain some muscle. muscle is important to keep weight off/lose it since it helps you burn more calories while your sedentary.
usually when working out people do weights 3 days a week, and plain cardio 3 times a week. 1 day of rest for the muscles/body.

i'm no expert, seeing as i haven't done a proper routine since last year, but i'm going to start doing it again this month or next.
i've been going to the gym only 3 times a week doing cardio for an hour. so now i'm working my way up to everyday.

good luck. just stick to it.

browneyedgirl36 · 10-03-2008, 07:49 PM

Weight training is AWESOME. I highly recommend it. Cardio is good for burning some calories and for your heart, of course, but weight training helps to build muscle that helps you to burn more calories. You said you don't really want to lose weight, which is fine -- weight training can just help you tone a bit. Since I've started weight training more intensively, I've lost weight AND the shape of my body is different, especially my arms and shoulders. Clothes look better on me now, I feel like my posture is better, I feel stronger. Great stuff!

I work with a trainer at my gym. She's really good, and she's teaching me some really great (and really HARD!) exercises to tone/strengthen various parts of my body. I'm already seeing results after a very short time. My gym offers group personal training, which is cheaper than one-on-one, so I'm paying less and still getting pretty much the same thing.

JeckyllNHyde · 10-03-2008, 07:51 PM

awesome! looks like i'll be starting with weight again asap.

JiMmIyZ · 10-04-2008, 03:23 AM

I've been weight lifting for over a year now and i 2 hours of weights 4 times a week and cardio the other 3 days while the soccer season is on. I've heard that wemon should not be doing heavy weight lifting because it can tear holes in there uterus. So i'd suggest not going past 40kg tops for benching and for bicep curls (2HB) 20kg and for dumbells not go past 10-12.5 kg. Not an expert but just what i suggest.

JeckyllNHyde · 10-04-2008, 03:24 PM

hi lady00
i have started trying to put together an excersize routine when it comes to weight training for myself. i came across this article:

Quote:

That hour of cardio was great to burn that stored energy, but when you're done on the cardio machine you're done burning calories. Weight training, on the other hand, keeps your metabolism at an elevated energy use rate for about an hour after you're done. Another bonus to weight training!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

this is the website i used to visit. it's pretty good for giving guidance if you want to target musce groups, find work outs or see how to properly use weight machines.

I just need to adjust this routine to fit the machines available at my gym. plus i dont want to be lifting barbells lol! (we dont have any either). so you can substitute them with dumbbells if i'm not mistaken.

if not, i will be going to the gym trainers and just asking them to show me 3-4 chest/back/biceps/etc excersizes for example.

here are some more articles in case ur interested
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

10-03-2008, 04:33 PM	#1
lady00 Offline Super Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Gender: Female Age: 25 Posts: 7,869	Trying to set up an exercise routine I am trying to start exercising on a regular basis. Right now, I do not really go to the gym. The amount of exercise I get is limited to walking. I do not have a car and everywhere I need to go is within walking distance of my home. So I walk at least half an hour every day, just getting around. I am trying to add to this by going to the gym. I want to work my way up slowly to a full exercise routine that I can actually stick to. So far, I plan on going on the treadmill at least five times a week for a half an hour (mixed jogging and walking). And then I hope to start adding to this. I want to stay at the weight I am now or lose a couple pounds (maybe 5) so basically I want to stay the same weight and I do not want to have any sort of drastic weight loss. Any suggestions? Thanks.

10-03-2008, 04:44 PM	#4
MollyElise Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austin Tx Gender: Female Age: 29 Posts: 717	You should really try and add some weight training, it is so good for your body. Not only will it make you stronger and healthier it will help make you look 'toned'. Good luck! __________________ "Does no one cry here, either? I suppose there's no need to, in heaven" Age of Innocence

10-03-2008, 05:41 PM	#6
JeckyllNHyde Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 5,194	i think you should just join a gym and then see if the trainers there will just give you a run down of how to use the machines. you can do 20-30 minutes on the treadmill (seeing as you already walk about 30min. a day) and 45 minutes or even more if you wish of weights. the trainers at the gym may even give you a whole work out routine you can follow. usually i go online and you can find a ton! i dont remeber the site i used to visit, i think it was bodybuilding.com or something. you wont bulk up, only tone up if you use weights and gain some muscle. muscle is important to keep weight off/lose it since it helps you burn more calories while your sedentary. usually when working out people do weights 3 days a week, and plain cardio 3 times a week. 1 day of rest for the muscles/body. i'm no expert, seeing as i haven't done a proper routine since last year, but i'm going to start doing it again this month or next. i've been going to the gym only 3 times a week doing cardio for an hour. so now i'm working my way up to everyday. good luck. just stick to it. __________________ You're just too good to be true... Can't take my eyes off of you...

10-03-2008, 07:49 PM	#7
browneyedgirl36 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Someplace Sunny! Gender: Female Posts: 1,771	Weight training is AWESOME. I highly recommend it. Cardio is good for burning some calories and for your heart, of course, but weight training helps to build muscle that helps you to burn more calories. You said you don't really want to lose weight, which is fine -- weight training can just help you tone a bit. Since I've started weight training more intensively, I've lost weight AND the shape of my body is different, especially my arms and shoulders. Clothes look better on me now, I feel like my posture is better, I feel stronger. Great stuff! I work with a trainer at my gym. She's really good, and she's teaching me some really great (and really HARD!) exercises to tone/strengthen various parts of my body. I'm already seeing results after a very short time. My gym offers group personal training, which is cheaper than one-on-one, so I'm paying less and still getting pretty much the same thing. __________________ "You cannot be directed to decide against yourself without first being deceived into thinking that what hurts you can also help you." Guy Finley

10-03-2008, 07:51 PM	#8
JeckyllNHyde Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 5,194	awesome! looks like i'll be starting with weight again asap. __________________ You're just too good to be true... Can't take my eyes off of you...

10-03-2008, 04:42 PM	#2
Up and Down Offline Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Age: 34 Posts: 723	Are you opposed to weight training. IMHO, I think that you need three things to be in good shape, cardio, lifting weights and/or something like yoga, and diet.

10-03-2008, 04:50 PM	#5
Up and Down Offline Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Age: 34 Posts: 723	I don't really have any books, just worked out for the past 14-15 years, but I heard a lot of people like body for life by Bill Phillips. I workout anywhere from 4-5 days a week and split that time into about 35-45 minutes of weight training and 30 minutes of cardio. Works for me. You need to find a routine that you like otherwise you will quit, after a while it just becomes habitual. I miss the gym if I don't go, on the road traveling etc. I think it calms me and lets me get some good thinking in. Believe it or not lifting is very mental...despite some of the meat heads you see in the gym. Do you know any one else that works out that could go with you and show you ropes so you can work out a good routine.

10-04-2008, 03:23 AM	#9
JiMmIyZ Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodberry Gender: Male Age: 18 Posts: 69	I've been weight lifting for over a year now and i 2 hours of weights 4 times a week and cardio the other 3 days while the soccer season is on. I've heard that wemon should not be doing heavy weight lifting because it can tear holes in there uterus. So i'd suggest not going past 40kg tops for benching and for bicep curls (2HB) 20kg and for dumbells not go past 10-12.5 kg. Not an expert but just what i suggest. __________________ Youth, Violence, love and lust