no idea what to do at the gym?

nibbynoo

hi,

i've just joined a gym but aside from the obv answer of 'EXERCISE?!' i have no idea what i should be doing.
yesterday i did 10 mins warm up on bike, 15 mins treadmil (6 speed, 6 incline as im not supposed to run- have dodgey knees), 15 mins elliptical (level 9), rowed 1000 meters and 15 reps each side on the weight thing where you pull the rope to lift the weights.

im going with a friend and following her example but what should i be doing?!
looking to lose weight and tone up everywhere- im a size 18 and 225 lbs so have A LOT to lose!

katkins3

I would ask if your gym has a trainer that takes you through the basics for one free session. My gym has that and the trainer showed me how to properly use the weight machines and answered my exercise questions.
Most gyms have someone to answer questions because its in their best interest that members not injure themselves on the equipment.

tabi26

I agree. See what the rates are for a trainer. If they offer a free session, do it! Then, if you can afford it, maybe hire a trainer once every two weeks or so to make sure you're doing the exercises right and to learn some new ones. Also, DO NOT BE AFRAID to lift weights....heavy weights! Lifting will "rearrange" your body and build muscle so you'll see results with your clothes much faster than with cardio alone! We all get caught up with the scale, myself included, but what we all really want is to be smaller and look good in our clothes, weights will do that for you. Good luck on your journey!

katkins3

I just wanted to send you another note of encouragement.
I also joined the gym at around 225 and I've lost 56 pounds so far. Please stick with it at the gym. Reducing your calorie intake is important, but your time at the gym is also an important part of increasing fitness. I eat back my exercise calories and think I wouldn't have made it so far if I only dieted. And a good workout is so satisfying.
If you can afford it, a HRM is the best tool I found. (I needed to know as realistically as possible what calories I earned from exercise, so I wouldn't kid myself and eat back in excess of what I really burned.)
Good Luck, stick with it, You Can Do It!