Thinking about joining a gym?

summer92008

So I have already lost 10 lbs (current weight 139 lbs) and would like to lose about 10 more. But I'm also wanting to tone. A lot of people on here have said that they think I should lift weights since I don't have much to lose.

So, since it is starting to turn cooler (at, least where I live), I am considering joining a gym. So a few questions...

Since I have never done any of this before, what should I do? Should I start on the treadmill and go from there? From the treadmill, what all should I do? Leg presses? Elliptical? Just standing and lifting weights? I don't know what all to do or how long to do them or how much weight I should do, either. So I'm pretty much completely lost.

I'm 5'6'', 20 years old, female, and weigh 139 lbs. So if that helps, maybe you could tell me how much I should start lifting? I don't have much muscle at all - as sad as it is, I can't even complete a full push-up. I have decent stomach muscles, though, and can walk as long and far as you want me to.

Help?

MagnumBurrito

The elliptical and treadmill won't get you where you want to be. Join the gym. Make sure they have a squat or power rack. Do strong lifts or some program that involves progressive big lifts. Hit your macros and correct calories everyday. Be consistent.

arditarose

You lost your weight. You look great. Don't stress about being on the darn treadmill and elliptical. Creating cardio goals can be great for health and maybe burning extra calories is nice so you can eat some cheese cake, but now weights will help you transform your body. Maybe try reading a book because it's possible to waste a lot of time and money in the gym if you're not really training your body. I don't follow the program, but New Rules of Lifting for Women is a fun, easy read. I think the program sounds pretty good too.

summer92008

That's what I want to do is tone - but I just have no idea where to start. I'm not even sure which machine does what! I just hate to go in there with all of these guys and girls who are pros at it and little ole me walks over and starts with the least amount of weight possible. I just feel like it will be a little embarrassing and that others at the gym will think I'm a joke.

Also...I have a pic up of how my body looks. Is there a general rule in which I can figure out how long it will take my to get toned? Just tones and firm - not muscular.

Unknown

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juliepickett7

whenever i feel intimidated by a machine at the gym, i just remind myself that every person in there had to have a first time too. go get 'em, killer!

arditarose

Don't worry about what other people think. There will be people in there who are a hundred pounds over weight, some really fit, some people knowing what they're doing, and some not knowing at all. The more you focus on yourself, the better form you will have and that is really important. If you've never done any kind of weight training before, you should read, try a trainer out for a little, or attend some classes at the gym. Even if an instructor isn't a true trainer, they usually give you tips about keeping your core engaged, flat back, etc. They'll also be doing the exercises along with you. Then you can use the same technique when you're out on the weight floor alone.

There is no rule about how long it will take you to get "toned", though I don't really like that word. I've been weight lifting while losing for 3 and a half to 4 months and those are my results.

arditarose

I suggest trying P90X. I've had great success with it and I lost 15 lbs my first round. Save your money and time, workout at home. Gyms will cost you $375-$600 a year, monthly payments of $40-$60. Plus you will fork out the first and last payments on your first visit. P90X costs $120 and you have it forever. You will gain muscle and lost weight. Don't hurt yourself lifting heavy weights.

Let me know if you want more info.

Coach Dustin

*No no

summer92008

Don't worry about what other people think. There will be people in there who are a hundred pounds over weight, some really fit, some people knowing what they're doing, and some not knowing at all. The more you focus on yourself, the better form you will have and that is really important. If you've never done any kind of weight training before, you should read, try a trainer out for a little, or attend some classes at the gym. Even if an instructor isn't a true trainer, they usually give you tips about keeping your core engaged, flat back, etc. They'll also be doing the exercises along with you. Then you can use the same technique when you're out on the weight floor alone.

There is no rule about how long it will take you to get "toned", though I don't really like that word. I've been weight lifting while losing for 3 and a half to 4 months and those are my results.

Are the results in your profile pic from the other one you have in a bikini? How often do you go to the gym? May I ask what you're lifting (if that even makes any sense, idk lol)

Unknown

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arditarose

Don't worry about what other people think. There will be people in there who are a hundred pounds over weight, some really fit, some people knowing what they're doing, and some not knowing at all. The more you focus on yourself, the better form you will have and that is really important. If you've never done any kind of weight training before, you should read, try a trainer out for a little, or attend some classes at the gym. Even if an instructor isn't a true trainer, they usually give you tips about keeping your core engaged, flat back, etc. They'll also be doing the exercises along with you. Then you can use the same technique when you're out on the weight floor alone.

There is no rule about how long it will take you to get "toned", though I don't really like that word. I've been weight lifting while losing for 3 and a half to 4 months and those are my results.

Are the results in your profile pic from the other one you have in a bikini? How often do you go to the gym? May I ask what you're lifting (if that even makes any sense, idk lol)

Umm...the one of me in the bikini at the smaller weight was taken like a month before my profile pic. I was a little heavier in the bikini pic and hadn't had quite as much progress on arms and abdomen.

I go to the gym 5 days a week, if I do 6 then the 6th day is just something fun like zumba or some active rest with yoga. I lift upper body twice a week and lower body twice a week. It's hard to go into detail about what I lift but my important things are Lat pull, low row, high row, bicep curl, chest press, tri-kick back (pushups, I know it's not weight lifting) as well as additional accessory work. Bottom-bar bell squat, dead lifts, lunges, bulgarian split squat, hack squat, etc.

arditarose

I also don't want to go too much into detail because I'm not a professional and definitely don't have it all figured out. I work with a trainer and am still learning Some other people on here know a lot better.

singingflutelady

push ups can be weight lifting Put plates on your back, wear a weight vest or put weights in a backpack and wear it while doing them. It really increases the intensity. I just moved up to BW + 30 and it is really making my chest stronger

arditarose

push ups can be weight lifting Put plates on your back, wear a weight vest or put weights in a backpack and wear it while doing them. It really increases the intensity. I just moved up to BW + 30 and it is really making my chest stronger

Ooh right! I don't know how I forgot about that. That's my next goal. Sounds fun.

singingflutelady

The weight plates on your back can be a bit tricky if your form is off in any way because they can slide off but once you figure it out it works well. 2 plates is even more of a balancing act LOL

arditarose

I'm going to die. I really look forward to this though.

VitaminAmy

I just started Jamie Eason's 12 week program and loving it.... great way to build up strength! It's free and tells you what to do on what day and how to do it. Good luck!
I think a personal trainer is best but free is in my budget.

ukaryote

Body weight resistance training is as legitimate as pushing around iron, both are good. Bodyweight training includes things like pushups, crunches, squats and on. There are many books on it, one is "You Are Your Own Gym". If you cannot do a full pushup (I can't right now) or a full squat, there are modifications.

On the other hand, joining a gym is good for the social motivation. Being in a venue where everyone is exercising encourages you to exercise. Often the distractions around home are insurmountable, thus the number of home exercise machines serving as clothes racks.

RhineDHP

Like others have said, go in with a plan. The suggestions of New Rules of Lifting for Women and Strong Lifts are great suggestions. Bodybuilding.com has set plans that more or less try to gear towards your fitness level and fitness goal -- when I started out I tried one of the 12 week programs, the Lee Lebrada one.

If you've never used the machines or free weights before, Youtube has many videos of how to properly use them. There's nothing worse than just aimlessly wandering around not knowing what to do, or half-heartedly performing an exercise, or not knowing how to use or adjust the machines, believe me I know.

I believe one rule of thumb was (correct me if I'm wrong), if you can perform 10 reps without much exertion, you need to go heavier. If you can barely do 5 reps, you need to lighten the weight load.

Good luck!

mymodernbabylon

I use Stronglifts because it's easy and free (you can find everything online and there's an app). I would suggest looking at it and then having a trainer help you figure out the form for all the exercises. Or do the New Rules. Or ask a trainer to put together a simple compound lifting programme for you using barbells & dumbells.

summer92008

Okay...so some questions.

I've talked to a few people about it since last night and it's raised a few questions.

Some people say I don't need to waste money on a gym and to just buy some weights and do it at home. Thoughts or opinions?
I'm not going to the gym for social motivation, that's for sure. If I could go without ever being seen or spoken to, that would be ideal lol. I'm very much an introvert. I planned on going to the gym just for the equipment.

Should I eat at a deficit while doing this? I'm going between maintenance calories/deficit calories right now depending on the week or so. I'm kind of in an "off season" between my last 10 lbs lost and the 10 lbs I wanna lose.

When or if I reach the body that I want, then what? How do I maintain it? Do I just do it less or what?

I'm pretty confused on all of this to be honest. A couple weeks back I was into just learning how to properly jog and thought that that would pull the excess weight off, help shape up my legs and possibly my stomach a little, and help improve my cardio. But now, I don't know if that's better or lifting?

Like I said, I'm just really confused lol. All I know is that I'd like to make me belly a little smaller, in the terms of removing the small excess layer of fat and making my belly flat, not muscular. I want it to look nice and not jiggle, but I'm not aiming for a six pack in any way.

MagnumBurrito

Lift at a deficit. I'd say sign up to the gym still. Try out the equipment. If after a few months you're in love with lifting, maybe the make the switch to buying home equipment.

Unknown

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arditarose

If you still want to lose weight, lift at the deficit. In terms of once you reach your goal, I'm not the one to ask because I'm still so far. You might end up really loving lifting and continuously working on your body forever. You could buy weights but you'll need to keep buying higher weights in order to train your body.

arditarose

A gym is cheaper. All the equipment you would need for a home gym is ridiculous...and before anyway tries to tell me I'm wrong, I tried it, I outgrew my home gym very quickly. I needed a squat or power rack, a set of dumbbells, a barbell, a full set of plates, multiple 45's, 35's, 25's, 10's, and 5's. I would need a bench, I already have a pull up bar...and if I had all that, I could do it. But, you're looking at about $5,000, maybe more. Plus, I need the space. I don't have it. Not for all that. My gym membership is $35/mo. That means it would take 143 months to break even...that's 12 years. No thanks. I'll just go to the gym. Plus, at the gym, I have more than that. On my cardio days, I can do spinning, and use all the cardio stuff, such as bikes, rowing machines, elliptical, treadmill, etc. They have a pool, sauna, and steam room. It's a great deal that I have, so I vote for a gym. Plus, they keep things up and maintained.

in addition to all that, the gym is kind of motivating. Working at home gets a little boring at times. I'm very introverted also. I don't talk to people or anything, but just getting out of the house is nice sometimes. If my gym was at home, I'd never leave my house on the weekends.

Yeah everything he said.