Gym tomorrow.

VenusianChica
VenusianChica Posts: 5
in Getting Started
Tomorrow I'm going to the gym for the first time in a while. Ive had many failed attempts at trying to work out at the gym because... IDK WHAT I'M DOING! When I get there should i do cardio before the machines? How long? Should I do all of the machines in one day? I'm an ectomorph (100lbs 5'1) what type of cardio should I be doing? No freewieghts (for now) please. I'm a newbie and those things intimidate me. Thanks guys :D

Replies

  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    What are your goals?
  • LB30
    LB30 Posts: 109 Member
    I have many of the same questions. I always feel like I'm doing things too randomly at the gym and not really making any progress. I always do cardio first to warm up. After that, I try to do any machine I can get near, and generally (based on amount of time I have) use the same ones every day I can. There is probably a more efficient way, so I'm in for the responses. :smile:
  • Ctrum69
    Ctrum69 Posts: 308 Member
    THere are dozens of books which can answer your questions.. from Arnold S's body building encyclopedia, to Bill Phillips body for life, and others.

    First day, don't kill yourself, and many programs reccomend starting with like, six exercises: So, for instance, rows, bench press, pullovers, leg curls, leg presses, and flys. Something like that (or a weighted crunch instead of the fly, perhaps).

    Some programs want 3 sets of 10 for each exercise, some claim one set of 12 or fail is just as effective (I'll let others has that out, there seems to be valid science behind both).

    Many gyms will hook you up with a trainer for the first day or two, for free.. if they do, take advantage of them.
  • HappyStack
    HappyStack Posts: 802 Member
    Purchase the books Starting Strength (3rd edition) and Becoming a Supple Leopard by Mark Rippetoe and Kelly Starrett respectively.

    They're expensive, but worth their weight in gold. Rip's book is available on Kindle, which is cheaper and just as good as the print book.

    Kelly's book isn't, yet, I don't believe.

    Read them front-to-back and side-to-side. For now, you can just do bodyweight exercises. There's few reasons to use machines if you're going to transition into using free weights. All they do is make the more natural movement with the barbell feel "wrong" at first.

    You don't have to do cardio at all, no matter your body type, but even more so as a smaller framed person (unless of course you're training for a purpose - like running a half- or full marathon).
  • littleburgy
    littleburgy Posts: 570 Member
    Keep it simple. And remember, everybody has their first time at the gym and starts somewhere. Remember that if you feel intimidated!
  • imjolly
    imjolly Posts: 176 Member
    My advise is take it slow. Staying at the gym an hour or more is probably going to make you never want to return. If you don't jog or haven't for a while then I would walk on the treadmill at a pace that makes you work a little, nothing too hard where you get discourage and never want to return but not too easy either. About 30 minutes. If that bores you then do 15 mins on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.
    I would do the weight machines on a separate day but definitely warm up first by walking on the treadmill or biking for 5 mins. I do both arms, legs and abs on the same day so I don't have to lift so often. Your muscles need about 48 hours to recover so wait two days to lift again. Have fun. If you are still not sure http://fitdesiree.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/your-first-time-a-guide-for-gym-virgins/
    It is a link for gym beginners.

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