Am I doing it right??

tyismc

Ok I have a question for my work out trainers or finatics. For Cardio only do treadmill or Stationary bike the bike I use is the sit down one that has a bike rest if that makes sense. I tried the Elliptical and stair climber a couple times but do not like them. On the stationary bike it says I burn more calories then it does on the treadmill. In your opinion which is a better to use for Cardio? Also for weights I will alternate between free weights and machine weights. How may sets should I do. Right now I do 3 sets of between 12 and 15. Does that sound about right?

alyhuggan

For cardio do what you enjoy the most. People will argue that HIIT is the best, which I agree with. However, I personally think it's best to find something you enjoy and stick with it than try force yourself to do something you don't enjoy which may lead to potentially giving up.

Weight training personally I find more of a complicated topic.

Personally, I think beginners should find a strength training program and stick with it. Using a structured program will give you a foundation that you can eventually build on when you become more knowledgeable on not only different exercises and muscles but also on how your body reacts to certain exercises. You will also have no problems knowing how many sets, reps or what weight you should be using. A good strength training program will have every angle covered, you don't have to lift a finger!

A couple of examples of what I mean by you will learn your body:

I personally don't feel pull ups contract my back as well as barbell rows, so I would pick rows over pull ups any day. Other people will find pull ups better than barbell rows. Some days I just feel barbell bench press isn't working for me so I'll switch to dumbbells. Or if I'm feeling ill, exceptionally unenergetic and just cannot be bothered I will get in, do the most important exercises to me for that day and finish on that.

JoRocka

pick on that doesn't make you want to stab yourself in the face.

I have a hard time believing a station recumbent bike burns more than a treadmill- but I'm not a cardio expert.

Just pick one and do it.

also for weights- what's your goal? how you train should be determined by your goal.

DavPul

That recumbent bike is a LIAR. But hey, if you like it, you do you. But that thing is a couch with pedals, and ain't no couch with pedals burning more calories than something you do where you support your own bodyweight.

Pick an established resistance training program and follow it.

tyismc

alyhuggan wrote: »

For cardio do what you enjoy the most. People will argue that HIIT is the best, which I agree with. However, I personally think it's best to find something you enjoy and stick with it than try force yourself to do something you don't enjoy which may lead to potentially giving up.

Weight training personally I find more of a complicated topic.

Personally, I think beginners should find a strength training program and stick with it. Using a structured program will give you a foundation that you can eventually build on when you become more knowledgeable on not only different exercises and muscles but also on how your body reacts to certain exercises. You will also have no problems knowing how many sets, reps or what weight you should be using. A good strength training program will have every angle covered, you don't have to lift a finger!

A couple of examples of what I mean by you will learn your body:

I personally don't feel pull ups contract my back as well as barbell rows, so I would pick rows over pull ups any day. Other people will find pull ups better than barbell rows. Some days I just feel barbell bench press isn't working for me so I'll switch to dumbbells. Or if I'm feeling ill, exceptionally unenergetic and just cannot be bothered I will get in, do the most important exercises to me for that day and finish on that.

Thankyou very much !

tyismc

JoRocka wrote: »

pick on that doesn't make you want to stab yourself in the face.

I have a hard time believing a station recumbent bike burns more than a treadmill- but I'm not a cardio expert.

Just pick one and do it.

also for weights- what's your goal? how you train should be determined by your goal.

I definitely don't want to a mass of bulging muscles. I just want to be toned.

tyismc

DavPul wrote: »

That recumbent bike is a LIAR. But hey, if you like it, you do you. But that thing is a couch with pedals, and ain't no couch with pedals burning more calories than something you do where you support your own bodyweight.

Pick an established resistance training program and follow it.

haha couch with pedals.. never heard it referred to as that but yah now that I think about it that's basically what it is. I do more treadmill than I do bike. The only reason I chose that bike is because I have scoliosis and the other bikes make me feel like by spine is going to rip in two.

Immerito

tyismc wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

pick on that doesn't make you want to stab yourself in the face.

I have a hard time believing a station recumbent bike burns more than a treadmill- but I'm not a cardio expert.

Just pick one and do it.

also for weights- what's your goal? how you train should be determined by your goal.

I definitely don't want to a mass of bulging muscles. I just want to be toned.

Unless you take lots of steroids, eat an insane amount of calories, and have testosterone levels like the average man, you will not bulk. Women bodybuilders get that way by working even harder than their male counterparts to build muscle.

tyismc

Immerito wrote: »

tyismc wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

pick on that doesn't make you want to stab yourself in the face.

I have a hard time believing a station recumbent bike burns more than a treadmill- but I'm not a cardio expert.

Just pick one and do it.

also for weights- what's your goal? how you train should be determined by your goal.

I definitely don't want to a mass of bulging muscles. I just want to be toned.

Unless you take lots of steroids, eat an insane amount of calories, and have testosterone levels like the average man, you will not bulk. Women bodybuilders get that way by working even harder than their male counterparts to build muscle.

haha well I do or have none of the above. So I guess I'm good.

Immerito

Yes you are---so lift heavy to become stronger and leaner!

tyismc

Is it better to lift heavier on machine weights or free weights or does it matter?

giusa

Free weights!

DesertGunR

As for cardio, choose what you can do and enjoy. I am currently recovering from a back injury and a normal bike does the same thing to me that it does to you. Unlike another poster claims you burn the same amount of calories as you do on a normal bike. I sold all 6 of my (road & mountain) bikes and currently own a recumbent trike that I use to ride. The seating arrangement is nearly identical to my recliner. I can not climb hills as fast as my friends on their bikes. Which they find hilarious, until it I pass them on the downhill and continue opening up my lead on the flats. So feel confident that you are burning the same amount regardless of style of bike you are riding.

As for lifting or resistance training. As a beginner your first and most important concern is proper form as you perform each movement. If you need help on form, ask if you gym has a personal trainer that is familiar with weight lifting and can help you out learning proper form. Concentrate on that first and foremost. For now do not worry to much about repetitions, sets and stay at light weights. Once you are at perfect form then it is time to choose which weight training program you want to follow.

Free weights are much better than machine weights because they activate more stabilizing muscles and in the end will result in better real world usable strength. Once you have your proper form I would recommend looking into the StrongLifts 5x5 program which you can read more about here stronglifts.com/5x5/. It is design for both men & women, despite what some people will tell you. Prior to my injury I have spent most of my life doing the 5x5 program and its variants. Once my back is further along in its recovery I will be using again to regain my lost strength and form. In your case & mine with a back to worry about fractional weights will be the key to progressing through the program. Fractional weights are basically smaller weight amounts than the normal 2.5lb or 5lb increments. The program is easily set up for using fractional weights.

Good Luck in achieving your goals.

tyismc

Well thank you very much DesertGunR. I will look at that link and check it out.

DesertGunR

You are welcome tyismc.

Feel free to message me, add me or both. If I can answer the question I will. If not, I will tell you that too and will hopefully be able to direct you to a resource that can help.

Good Luck!