workout routines?

CMillikan08

so i havent been in my gym for a good 2-3 weeks and i just started mfp a few days ago. i did 30 min on the elliptical today and if felt great! as well as some strength training! so proud of myself for getting back in there but does anyone have any suggestions for workout routines?? i really like doing the elliptical and typically go for about 30 min or so also like stationary bike but i feel like the elliptical works me harder. my gym also has alot of strength training equiptment and i m kind of looking for a few effective routines to work my whole body but different ones so i dont get bored either. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get a complete body workout that incorporates the strength training machines as well as cardio?

hroush

I love spin class for cardio. For weight lifting I do:

http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/

bmontgomery87

cardio and strength training should ideally be two different days.
strength train 2-3 times a week.
and do cardio 2-3 times a week.


I'd start with a full body strength training routine.
bodybuilding.com has routines split up by age/sex/goals.

dragonbug300

The possibilities are endless.
You could start with a 5-10 minute warmup on the elliptical, then go do strength training. After doing the typical 3 sets of 10-12, 4 sets of 4-8, 2 sets of 20, etc. for each muscle group, you can head back to the elliptical and do a couple minutes to get your heartrate up again before heading back to do another strength exercise.
Example:
5min elliptical
leg exercises
5min elliptical
chest exercises
5min elliptical
back exercises
5min elliptical
triceps
5min elliptical
biceps
5min elliptical
abdominals

that's just one idea.

bmontgomery87

^^If you're strength training correctly, and pushing yourself, your heartrate should stay up enough to not need an elliptical in between sets.

CMillikan08

The possibilities are endless.
You could start with a 5-10 minute warmup on the elliptical, then go do strength training. After doing the typical 3 sets of 10-12, 4 sets of 4-8, 2 sets of 20, etc. for each muscle group, you can head back to the elliptical and do a couple minutes to get your heartrate up again before heading back to do another strength exercise.
Example:
5min elliptical
leg exercises
5min elliptical
chest exercises
5min elliptical
back exercises
5min elliptical
triceps
5min elliptical
biceps
5min elliptical
abdominals

that's just one idea.

I like this idea simply bc i can go at that faster pace on the elliptical for 5 min but its harder to keep going for that long and i like doing the higher rep and lower weight. I think i ll try working something like this next week! Thanks for the tips all of you!