multiple questions from and exercising newbie.

ploppersdf1

ok, so i have only been doing this exercising thing for like a month and a half, and i am still really new and at the gym i found myself asking questions. so before i get too into a routine, and still have my self able to mold my habits, i would like to clear some things up. so first of all, i see lots of places that you should warm up and cool down. i usually do a half an hour of cardio, and half an hour of strength training. when i am doing the cardio, because i have so little time to do it, i feel like i should be going hard the whole time. is it important to do a warm up? does that help the process of fat burn? also is it important to cool down? also, i find myself sweating more. i don't know if this is a good thing. i use the eliptical, and i keep the same level for a week, and i just switched the level recently and i find myself sweating noticeable more. i don't know if it is normal for just a one level increase because i usually don't sweat much when i work out.

along the lines of strength training. i would like to build a little muscle in my arms, but i am not exactly sure if i am doing it right. i know you need to do less reps at a high weight, and i have been doing that, but i don't feel any pain afterwords like i hear so many people saying they have. i am worried that i am not doing it like i should. is it normal to not feel sore? also, i have a lot of under arm flab, and i was wondering what the best machine is to get rid of it?

i know i asked a lot of questions in this but if you can help me with any part i would greatly appreciate it. also i am always looking for new people to talk to and work with, and i could use some one to encourage me and someone to encourage, so feel free to add me!

grimendale

is it important to do a warm up? does that help the process of fat burn? also is it important to cool down?

Warm ups and cool downs are important, but they are not for fat burning. They are safety issues. Warming up gives your muscles a chance to get into the exercise rather than going from stopped to flat out, which can lead to injuries and muscle tears. Cool down is similar. It allows your body to come off of the exercise gradually so that you don't put additional stress on your body. Plus, it's a good time to add some stretching, which you should be doing once your muscles are warm.

also, i find myself sweating more. i don't know if this is a good thing. i use the eliptical, and i keep the same level for a week, and i just switched the level recently and i find myself sweating noticeable more. i don't know if it is normal for just a one level increase because i usually don't sweat much when i work out.

The amount that you sweat doesn't necessarily relate to the intensity of the workout. Ambient temperature, how much water you're retaining, body temperature... lots of factors. Don't worry about it. It's nothing to be concerned about.

i am worried that i am not doing it like i should. is it normal to not feel sore? also, i have a lot of under arm flab, and i was wondering what the best machine is to get rid of it?

Soreness can be a good indicator, but isn't necessary. Are you reaching a point at the end of the last set for each exercise where you can't finish the lift? If so, you are working your muscles to failure, and are getting a good workout. You will typically only get sore if you increase the intensity of your workout a lot. If you aren't doing much beyond what you did the last time, you won't get sore. Gradual increases are normal for weight lifting, so you often don't get sore after each workout. Work to failure and be secure in the knowledge of a good workout.

A machine is not going to get rid of flab. You can do tricep exercises to build underarm muscle, but you will need to reduce body fat through a calorie deficit to det rid of the fat. There are a lot of good workouts for triceps. Jefit.com has a good database of workouts broken down by muscle, so you can find something you like. I would recommend transitioning to dumbbells and free weights from machines as you will get a better workout. You can look through the fitness forum on MFP to find a lot of good advice on taking up lifting.

ploppersdf1

thank you! this was really helpful!!