Any other female construction workers?

FatKidAtHeart88

Hey all!

Just a little over 6 months ago I accepted a job as a painter at my local shipyard. I never really had much upper body strength so I knew that lifting things (especially over my head) might be a struggle. When I first started it was hot and my 4-6 workouts a week became sleeping and eating ice cream. Now I have adjusted to my work schedule and I can feel my body getting stronger and more fit. I have started back at the gym and I am doing couch to 5k to train for some races I have signed up for!

My question is, what strength routines could I incorporate at the gym to really see a difference in my strength. I have a pretty strong lower body from all the walking and ladders that I climb at work. I just aimlessly do the machines in the weight area at my gym and am not sure if I really am gaining usable strength. I had considered doing crossfit but it is too expensive for my budget. P90x and Insanity are also out as I would prefer not to have an at home routine because my roommates are almost always home and are "supportive" in a very annoying way. I know they mean well, but it is not what I want to hear when I am dripping with sweat.

Thanks for reading!

4legsRbetterthan2

I would get a training session at the gym, you can go over the type of stuff you do and work and a trainer should be able to give you exercises to help with those specific tasks and work you entire upper body, plus learning proper form is good for avioding injury and working the muscles properly. Don't be fooled by all the lift 10-15 lb dumbell routines you see in magazines and stuff either, you can do way more than that if you want!

FatKidAtHeart88

I would get a training session at the gym, you can go over the type of stuff you do and work and a trainer should be able to give you exercises to help with those specific tasks and work you entire upper body, plus learning proper form is good for avioding injury and working the muscles properly. Don't be fooled by all the lift 10-15 lb dumbell routines you see in magazines and stuff either, you can do way more than that if you want!

I was going to try that. I can only afford planet fitness right now but they do have some create your own training sessions for free. The only problem is they aren't always when I can get to the gym. Haven't people heard of working a first shift? I am lucky to get there by 5 and they are usually quite busy at that point.

Cherimoose

P90X is decent. You can load it to a smartphone or media player and watch it at the gym - or just write the exercises down.

New Rules of Lifting & Stronglifts are ok too.

I'm sure there are a few good Planet Fitness trainers, but they are probably the exception rather than the rule.

FatKidAtHeart88

Looks like I will be on the lookout for those books. I can barely lift 20lbs and can't do a simple push up. So I have a long ways to go.