Calling all gym buffs

kate141987

Hey I'm just getting back into the whole exercise thing and looking for people that know what they're talking about as I want advice and help to make the most of my gym time/working out at home

#how do you handle doms? Do you rest up or push through?

#do you recommend an energy drink or just water?

#is the treadmill/elliptical trainer good for losing weight?

#whats the best way to trim your waist? Can you trim it just from cardio or do you have to do certain exercise?

#what is your opinion on step machines, I have one at home and am planning getting back on it.

If your a gym buff feel free to add me as I could do with support/advice

not_a_runner

-I have a lifting schedule set up so that I am working different body parts each day, so even if I had DOMS from yesterday, it won't really effect my workout today.
-I drink lots of water. Sometimes energy drinks.
-A calorie deficit is best for losing weight. If you want to do cardio, use whatever you enjoy.
-Again, a calorie deficit.
-Sometimes I will use an elliptical/stepper thing. I don't mind it and I usually watch tv while I use it.

joelo_83

kate141987 wrote: »

#how do you handle doms? Do you rest up or push through?

#do you recommend an energy drink or just water?

#is the treadmill/elliptical trainer good for losing weight?

#whats the best way to trim your waist? Can you trim it just from cardio or do you have to do certain exercise?

#what is your opinion on step machines, I have one at home and am planning getting back on it.

Don't mean to sound condescending but you may be over complicating things a bit. I'll try and answer some of these tho-

1. Rest, but get on a schedule. Usually 48-72hrs is enough recovery time . Sometimes you can shorten than, other times you may need more, but being on a schedule where you do a muscle group with about 2 days rest in between is optimal.

2. Water.. BCAAs sometimes but usually plain water

3. Anything that increases cardiovascular activity will increase calorie consumption and assuming you're in a calorie deficit, yes you'll lose weight.

4. You can't spot-reduce fat. It comes off in a "first on, last off" basis. You can only reduce your bf% across your whole body until you get to your desired waist size.

5. See answer no. 3

kate141987

Thanks for the tips
Yeah I figure at this point just getting moving and getting my heart rate up will obviously help with the weight loss, I guess il just have to keep at it and maybe within a few months il see actual results.
Iv tried running outside and my knees were aching for weeks after I think il need to stick to the treadmill

kate141987

The verse climber looks amazing iv never seen it before but I bet it's expensive, I'd definitely like to have one of these
I think my knees must be weak/buggered cos I only went running twice and felt knee aches n pains that iv never had before, couldn't even go on the treadmill to run afterwards my knees felt so bad. Gona take your advice and strengthen up my knees, thank u

_incogNEATo_

kate141987 wrote: »

Hey I'm just getting back into the whole exercise thing and looking for people that know what they're talking about as I want advice and help to make the most of my gym time/working out at home

#how do you handle doms? Do you rest up or push through? Handle it like a boss! Expect it and rest in the beginning, but as you build muscle, you will recover easier.

#do you recommend an energy drink or just water? I like a Zero Ultra Monster every now and then but not FOR my workouts. I just enjoy the flavor and usually drink it sometime after my morning workout. Water should never be turned down. Drink some black coffee if you'd like?

#is the treadmill/elliptical trainer good for losing weight? A calorie deficit is good for losing weight. A treadmill and elliptical will burn calories so in essence, yes, but that doesn't negate the fact that you can't consume more calories than you burn.

#whats the best way to trim your waist? Can you trim it just from cardio or do you have to do certain exercise? Next question. Just focus on trimming, period. You won't trim your waist first.

#what is your opinion on step machines, I have one at home and am planning getting back on it. My opinion is that they're boring, but if you have one at your disposal and enjoy being on it, go for it. Cardiovascular exercises are good for heart health and will increase your deficit (or in my case, allow me to consume more).

If your a gym buff feel free to add me as I could do with support/advice

kate141987

Yeah I'm really wanting to get my body in the best shape but I'm also focussing on heart health/health period.
I don't particularly enjoy cardio but it's good for health/fat burning so il be doing it as much as I can.
Also going to do lunges/planks etc and buy myself dumbbells, I think il lift my weights at home, the gym I go to is full of big burly men lifting huge weights and I am lifting the smallest ones and don't really know at this point exactly what I'm doing so il be happier starting off with my weight lifting at home lol
Thanks guys brilliant advice

not_a_runner

kate141987 wrote: »

Yeah I'm really wanting to get my body in the best shape but I'm also focussing on heart health/health period.
I don't particularly enjoy cardio but it's good for health/fat burning so il be doing it as much as I can.
Also going to do lunges/planks etc and buy myself dumbbells, I think il lift my weights at home, the gym I go to is full of big burly men lifting huge weights and I am lifting the smallest ones and don't really know at this point exactly what I'm doing so il be happier starting off with my weight lifting at home lol
Thanks guys brilliant advice

In my experience, the big burly men (or even smaller ones) can be very helpful and encouraging.
When I wanted to start lifting, a few guys took me under their wing and let me work in/spotted me/showed me how to do things. It was the perfect way to set me up for becoming an independent female lifter when I had to change gyms. Now I walk in there and know more/lift more than a lot of the men.
Don't be afraid to be new or ask for help! I am a lot further ahead because I did.

joelo_83

TresaAswegan wrote: »

kate141987 wrote: »

Yeah I'm really wanting to get my body in the best shape but I'm also focussing on heart health/health period.
I don't particularly enjoy cardio but it's good for health/fat burning so il be doing it as much as I can.
Also going to do lunges/planks etc and buy myself dumbbells, I think il lift my weights at home, the gym I go to is full of big burly men lifting huge weights and I am lifting the smallest ones and don't really know at this point exactly what I'm doing so il be happier starting off with my weight lifting at home lol
Thanks guys brilliant advice

In my experience, the big burly men (or even smaller ones) can be very helpful and encouraging.
When I wanted to start lifting, a few guys took me under their wing and let me work in/spotted me/showed me how to do things. It was the perfect way to set me up for becoming an independent female lifter when I had to change gyms. Now I walk in there and know more/lift more than a lot of the men.
Don't be afraid to be new or ask for help! I am a lot further ahead because I did.

Second this.

Most guys in the gym welcome people that are actually trying to better themselves and are open to helping anyone (let's be real: especially female), to get started and show them how to not be intimidated with the weight room. Ask around , don't be shy.

Lastly I'll reiterate, don't get hung up on treadmill vs stepper vs elliptical etc. from a standpoint of losing weight, they all do the same thing - provide a cardiovascular challenge for your body to work against.

Look at my profile, before and after pic that's on there. That's one year, negligible cardio except a 10min warmup on the elliptical, and weight training. You need a foundation of lean tissue before you can look "toned", do resistance training.

socalrunner59

doms? ibuprofen and push through as best I can

energy drink or just water? Water during workout; protein drink as soon as I'm done

treadmill/elliptical trainer good for losing weight? the best exercise is the one you love and will do

whats the best way to trim your waist? Abs are made in the kitchen

opinion on step machines? find an exercise you love--that's the key

kate141987

Abs are made in the kitchen lol never heard that before but makes sense
I think iv got a fairly good diet but maybe not one that will be helping out with my abs, necessarily. Thanks

yusaku02

kate141987 wrote: »

Hey I'm just getting back into the whole exercise thing and looking for people that know what they're talking about as I want advice and help to make the most of my gym time/working out at home

#how do you handle doms? Do you rest up or push through?

#do you recommend an energy drink or just water?

#is the treadmill/elliptical trainer good for losing weight?

#whats the best way to trim your waist? Can you trim it just from cardio or do you have to do certain exercise?

#what is your opinion on step machines, I have one at home and am planning getting back on it.

If your a gym buff feel free to add me as I could do with support/advice

DOMS - Push through soreness. If you're having real pain then rest it a bit.

Drinks - Water is fine.

Losing weight - Your diet is going to dictate if you lose weight or not. Cardio helps but is really easy to negate with a single snack. They're both fine as far as cardio machines go.

Trim waist - You can't spot reduce. Lose body fat and it will come off all over.

Step machines - Do it if you want to, don't if you don't want to. I see a lot of people do it as a cool-down after their workout.

kate141987

I'm sure I heard this ages ago 'you can't spot reduce fat'
I must have forgotten about that along the way but knowing this actually helps to keep me motivated knowing if I just keep shedding weight il EVENTUALLY have the small trim waist I want

The step machine is similar to the lateral thigh trainer so it is a cardio workout and at same time really works your thighs bum and calves. I actually think it's a brilliant idea, but it does take it out of me when I use it for 15 minutes, I'm unfit I think lol

chaney3000

Some good answers in here.

Just remember this, keep your body confused when training. When you first begin DOMS will be an issue. Alternate your training, to compensate.
And most importantly, your diet is 90% of the battle.