Gym advice.

Pandabug93

Hello (:

So at the gym I'm good on cardio, I know what to do there, but there are so many machines I'm just not sure which ones to pick.
Should I workout my legs, abs and arms in one day or split them up into two sections? What are some of of your guys' favorite machines?

I just get so lost when looking at all the machines and end up wandering around like an idiot, haha.

Thanks!

chantalicious

I usually rotate like this. Chest and Tri's, Back and Bi's, Legs. I try to do abs nearly every day.

kimmerroze

You can always ask someone there to walk you through the machines. There are ususally multiple machines that work the same muscles. Each machine has a picture of the muscle it works, and the instructions on how to use the machine.

Everyone had to learn don't be shy that you have to take time to read them or practice them.

I like doing all the legs and then my triceps and biceps along with my back muscles and my abs.... lol when you first start out it is helpful to do your upper body one day, then your lower body the next. it lets your muscles rest inbetween.

FaithandFitness

If you add some weights with your cardio then that will really help in your overall fitness. Is there a personal trainer available at your gym? Even a couple of sessions with a trainer will get you off to a great start! If not you can google some terms like "biceps" or "back" strength training and there will be examples of exercises you can do at the gym. Pay attention to the things like body alignment to keep your joints and muscles healthy. Start light and progress at your own pace!

mimstero

I either do alternating days for upper body and lower body, or you can work on opposing body parts on the same day. Such as, bicep then tricep, chest then back, quads then hamstrings, but don't forget shoulders and calves, too.

I do a lot of squats, chest press with a bar, backward lunges, overhead shoulder presses, and deadlift. I can see a huge difference in my legs, chest, and arms right now.

Have fun!

TenaciousTAZ

Machines isolate muscles whereas free weights use multiple muscle groups and free weights emulate real movement. You are more likely to squat or lift something off the ground, than to sit on a machine lifting something. Look into crossfit.com you can see demo exercises that will give you a great workout without machines.

outersoul

Machines isolate muscles whereas free weights use multiple muscle groups and free weights emulate real movement. You are more likely to squat or lift something off the ground, than to sit on a machine lifting something. Look into crossfit.com you can see demo exercises that will give you a great workout without machines.

This. I love free weights over machines but I know a lot of people are unsure about what/how to use free weights. I know I was when I first started lifting. I did some googling and here's what I came up with as my base workout. Over time I've added some isolation movements.

Copy and pasted from another site:

A simple 3 day routine. Each bodypart once per week. Each exercise 2-4 sets, reps 5-8.

Back/Bis

Deadlifts
A Row
Chins or Pulldows
Bicep Curl

Chest/Tris

Bench
DB or Inc Bench
Chest Dips
Triceps Isolation

Legs/Shoulders

Squat
Military Press
Calf Work

If you're not sure about how to perform an exercise, youtube it. Don't go heavy and use proper form.

pkpzp228

Yep all good advice IMO, especially about free weights vs. machines.

To simplify the different resistance routines you'll here about and the way you group them, I like to think of it is as one day you work muscles that push, chest and tri's, the next day you do muscles that pull back and bi's, etc, always working from larger muscle group to smaller.

Realistically though, as long as you're keeping proper form and avoiding injury you can and should mix it up however you please.

As for learning the machines and exercises, don't be afraid to stare. Watch people, especially those that have good posture. Start with the basics... the things you see everyone doing all the time.