What to do at the gym as beginner?

gaxarlis08

Hey all, I am just starting here again and I am going to start exercising at the gym again. What exactly should I be doing there? I generally do the elliptical when I go and some strength training after. Any advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

ashliij

What are your goals? If you're looking to lose weight, of course cardio is the best route. As you mentioned, the elliptical is great. I came into the thread knowing I'd suggest that even before I read the post. The stationary bike and rowing machines are also great - the latter gives you a full range of movement and, to me at least, is really fun.

I think you'd have the best luck with the elliptical or rowing machine just because it doesn't become monotonous as quickly as some other machines like the bike or a treadmill. Try increasing the intensity for a period of time that you're comfortable with at some point in your workout, perhaps multiple times depending on how much time you want to devote to one machine. Always trust your body and the signals it gives you before going too nuts with the intensity, of course.

If you want some strength advice too, I'd have to know your goals I suppose. Hopefully this is at least semi-helpful. Good luck with your journey

gaxarlis08

What are your goals? If you're looking to lose weight, of course cardio is the best route. As you mentioned, the elliptical is great. I came into the thread knowing I'd suggest that even before I read the post. The stationary bike and rowing machines are also great - the latter gives you a full range of movement and, to me at least, is really fun.

I think you'd have the best luck with the elliptical or rowing machine just because it doesn't become monotonous as quickly as some other machines like the bike or a treadmill. Try increasing the intensity for a period of time that you're comfortable with at some point in your workout, perhaps multiple times depending on how much time you want to devote to one machine. Always trust your body and the signals it gives you before going too nuts with the intensity, of course.

If you want some strength advice too, I'd have to know your goals I suppose. Hopefully this is at least semi-helpful. Good luck with your journey

Thanks so much for your advice! I will go ahead and stick with the elliptical and also try the rowing machine. I basically just want to lose weight. and also be more toned.

SunKissed1989

Hi there
I've been going to the gym for about 2 years now and it was only last year I actually asked one of the trainers for a personalised programme based on my goals which, like yourself, are weight loss and toning up (if you want to see what my gym routines are, check out my blog - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/SunKissed1989 - and feel free to add me). You're doing the right thing by combining cardio on the elliptical with strength training though so keep that up - a combination of both is essential (IMHO anyway).

Ask one of the trainers to take you through the weights available at your gym and find a routine with weights that you can lift, but that will also give results...if that makes sense.
I also find that changing things up now and again can help - if you get bored or stop seeing results after a while, change something. I go to Zumba once or twice a week which is always an exhilarating and fun cardio workout and something different from my gym sessions (which I do love, but gotta have some fun as well!). Check out if there are some other fitness classes available at your gym as a way of changing things up

onefortyone

I am starting back at the beginning of my journey. I run for 10 minutes at 5.0, walk for 10 minutes at 3.5, then use the machines for my biceps, triceps, chest, shoulders, abs, and lats. I mix them up and do different muscles on different days, and I want to build up to running for the whole 20 minutes, and maybe incorporating 'leg days' on the machines, if my legs don't die from running. I burn about 250 on an average day, 300 on an awesome day, and I do not leave that gym until I burn 200 calories on a bad day. Hope this helps

Domineer

30 min elliptical workout, three times a week for 3 weeks, burn at least 400 cals before stepping off. I was 325lbs when I started that routine. I adjusted resistance based on comfort, so I took it easy but still somewhat challenged myself. Did that for months and cut tons of weight. Best way to do it for a beginner IMO.

gaxarlis08

Thanks everybody for all your advice!!

JoRocka

What are your goals?

yes goals are good and will shape your plans

If you're looking to lose weight, of course cardio is the best route.

but no- it is not "the best route"
it is just "A" route- any fitness program with general fitness should involve a balanced diet geared toward meeting long term goals as well as strength training and some form of exercise to aid in cardiovascular work.

The best is a balanced diet that includes a calorie deficit: for weight loss
strength training to minimize muscle loss and optimize fat loss
cardio to build a bigger calorie deficit so you can go home and eat ice cream if you are a fat kid (like me)

I would highly recommend looking into a training program- like starting strength, new rules of lifting, strong lifts, or strong curves.

Get a program or hire a trainer for progressive lifting. You will absolutely not have that lovely "toned" look if all you do is pure cardio- you'll drop weight and not have a solid base of "toned" muscle to show off.

No_Finish_Line

the only reason i belong to a gym is the access to free wieghts.

i'd focus on that while there

at least bench press, squat and deadlift (or pull up/lat pull down)



no matter what your goals are you are going to benefit from some basic lifting

_HeartsOnFire_

What are your goals?

yes goals are good and will shape your plans

If you're looking to lose weight, of course cardio is the best route.

but no- it is not "the best route"
it is just "A" route- any fitness program with general fitness should involve a balanced diet geared toward meeting long term goals as well as strength training and some form of exercise to aid in cardiovascular work.

The best is a balanced diet that includes a calorie deficit: for weight loss
strength training to minimize muscle loss and optimize fat loss
cardio to build a bigger calorie deficit so you can go home and eat ice cream if you are a fat kid (like me)

I would highly recommend looking into a training program- like starting strength, new rules of lifting, strong lifts, or strong curves.

Get a program or hire a trainer for progressive lifting. You will absolutely not have that lovely "toned" look if all you do is pure cardio- you'll drop weight and not have a solid base of "toned" muscle to show off.

QFT

KChesneyGal

i do 30 min cardio either ellitical, treadmill or arc trainer then i do 30 mins of strength training, one day i do lower body and the other i do upper body, i usually go to the gym 2x per week and bootcamp class 3x per week then workout with my trainer 1 day a week, sometimes i do 3 days in the gym and on the 3rd day ill do 30 min cardio and ill mix it up and do a full body workout for 30 min.