Gym Routines

emilypeach

so with the previous post talking about weight loss/getting fit, i thought id see what everyone does at the gym.  Part of my problem is that I don't really know what to do, and then I just get bored of my same old machines.  So..... what's yor gym routine??  Maybe this will help me switch it up and stay motivated

amberg321

YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND EMILY!!!! I was seriously just about to post the same question. I went to the gym last night and had no clue what to do Umm...so far I just use the treadmill for 25 minutes and then do the inner and outer thigh machine. Oh and the leg press machine too. I think I am going to start using the stair machine too.  

sdkissez

Before I got pregnant, my hubby and I would do the treadmill for about 20 minutes.  He would seriously run at like a 10 speed with his 80lb. vest on and I would do intervals of sprinting, running, walking.Then, we would play racquetball for 30-45 minutes. Then, we would separate and do our own weight training. I would focus on legs one day, arms (think tri's and biceps) and shoulders another day.  I always ended with abs, doing core exercises.

amberg321

What do you do for abs? On the days you do your arms would you still do cardio?

emilypeach

haha amber! i win i used to have a membership at 24 hour fitness and i would do eliptical for 20 minutes, and then alternate days doing lower body machines one day, upper body the next time, and then my friend and i would always finish off the the day doing the 24 rapid workout thing (the 12 machines along one wall and you do 2 minutes on each machine. i want to start doing stairmaster.  i need to whip my legs into shape.  i always loose wight off my upperbody quick and my legs stay fat

sdkissez

I do a variety of core exercises.  I use an exercise ball for crunches, which relieves tension off of my back.  I also do crunches on the ground alternating between sides with one leg over the other. I also raise my legs in the air, cross them at the ankles, and then do crunches. I will also lay on the ground, push my feet to the wall, and do sit-ups using a small weight ball.  When you do the sit-up with the ball you can also twist at the top of the sit-up.One of the things with weight training is that you should focus on certain parts of your body each time.  You have to remember that your body needs to recouperate it's muscles.  If you try to do arms everyday, your arms are going to get sore, and then stop toning or building muscles.  This is counterproductive.I do cardio everyday I am there. You should get at least 5 days of cardio in and about 3 days worth of weight training.  This allows your muscles to rebuild and tone.

sdkissez

You can use Pilates or Yoga training in lieu of weight training.  Both of these classes focus on strength and core exercises, but without the stress of the weights. It's great for inner and outer strength and relaxation of your mind. If you want to lose fat off your legs, then you shouldn't weight train them.  Because I was a gymnast, my legs bulk up very easily.  I use the treadmill and stair master to keep them toned.  I do heavy weights, low reps on the leg press machine to help keep them toned as well.  But, doing weight training on them when you want to lose fat first, will only turn the fat into muscle.  And remember muscle weighs more than fat and is bigger than fat.  So, be careful with how you go about working out your body.

Kasi80

What I used to do back in my gym rat days was 1 hour of cardio 4x a week but no less than 3x and end with an ab workout concentrating on my sides as well.  With cardio I did the aerobics classes offered at the gym.  If one got canceled I did the eliptical (20-30 mins each on two different machines).The days I didn't do cardio I alternated between arms and legs (arms one day, legs the next) with heavy concentration on abs.With this and eating healthy I dropped the weight very fast.  In my extreme days I was at the gym 2 hours a day but that was a little insane on my part.  I was pretty freakin' thin though!      

emilypeach

ah thanks sd! i sure do not want bulky legs haha! time to kick it up!! im heading to the fitness center tonight!

hischiquita!

I do cardio 5x a week, 45 min a day. Cardio is the best way to lose weight. If you're doing weights its better to do less weight but more reps to loose the weight and tone without bulking up. I have a trainer at Bally's and we do squats and lunges for my thighs. I do 3 reps of 30 of each and im so sore 2 days later, but my legs are getting smaller and toning up. I was in the same boat. I would go to the gym and not know what to do but now I have a trainer and I do strength training with her 3x a week and then go 5x a week on my own. She gives me "homework" so I know what I'm doing when I'm in the gym.  

butterflygrooves

I used to have a membership at 24 Hour and my trainer had me do 30 min of cardio (treadmill, bike or elliptical), crunches on a ball, arm and core exercises with bands, planks...LOTS of planks, some exercise where you're on your hands and knees and you stick one arm straight out in front of you at shoulder height and the opposite leg behind you at hip height and you have to balance for a sec then switch arms and legs.  He and I would also meet 2-3 times a week to jog on the beach.  I would do the gym routine at least three days a week, jogging on the beach 2-3 days a week and rest one day.I wasn't trying to bulk up so I rarely did weights.

breleficent

I go to the gym 3x a week. First I do 20 min of cardio on the treadmill. Then I do weight training...all the major muscle groups. Glutes, Tris, sholders, abs, bis, back, squats...it ends up taking me about 45-50 min for that. Then I finish it off with another 20 min of cardio on the elipitcal.I go to a little "hole-in-the-wall" gym. My membership is only $20 a month. Every six weeks a trainer re-evaluates my routine and changes it up for me. He tells me what to do, how much weight to use, how long, etc. He has helped out a TON. I had no idea what to do either until I had him tell me and show me. 30 min on the treadmil just doesn't cut it! lol. That is what I was doing before. I thought that was enough but it totally wasn't.