Weight Lifting

pg3ibew

Ok, I am gonna ask a question here. Please keep in mind, I havent lifted weights in 20 years. I don't want to be the next Mr. Olympia. I just want to tone my body after losing weight.
I started at 250 and working my way down to 200 and lower. At 200, I want to start lifting weights. I belong to Planet Fitness(not sure if anyone has ever heard of it).
Questions are: How is that 30 minute circuit traning thing? Or should I use different machines? Or should I do the free weight thing?

pg3ibew

bump

Becky_Boodle

I personally like to create my own routine rather than follow someone else's
that way I can swap one exercise for another whenever I want
I break it down by muscle group and do one exercise per group
then after a week or two...I find a different exercise for each group
there are tons of websites that offer different exercises
and some have videos to show you how to do it properly

lizard053

I find the 30 minute circuit a bit restraining. You can only do it in order, and it doesn't allow for much rest time. It's good for getting started, but if you really want to get toned up, you'll have to use the free weights at some point.
I really hate planet fitness anymore. The lunkhead thing is so annoying! The alarm goes off randomly, as far as I can tell, and scares the ever living daylights out of me whenever it does. I find it impossible not to grunt at the end of a tough set. And I'm definitely not a lunkhead! I'm an overweight female trying to get in shape! Stupid restrictions for a gym if you ask me...
Sorry about the vent! It's just bugging me. If you can avoid the pizza and tootsie rolls, you can do a good job there!
No reason you can't start lifting now! Hold on to the muscles you have now, instead of losing them while you drop weight.

kanmuri

Try to get a session with a personal trainer. They'll tell you everything you need to know and probably avoid you some injuries. I've been going tot eh gym for 2 years and I've had personal trainers the whole time. It probably was the best decision I took.

pg3ibew

I find the 30 minute circuit a bit restraining. You can only do it in order, and it doesn't allow for much rest time. It's good for getting started, but if you really want to get toned up, you'll have to use the free weights at some point.
I really hate planet fitness anymore. The lunkhead thing is so annoying! The alarm goes off randomly, as far as I can tell, and scares the ever living daylights out of me whenever it does. I find it impossible not to grunt at the end of a tough set. And I'm definitely not a lunkhead! I'm an overweight female trying to get in shape! Stupid restrictions for a gym if you ask me...
Sorry about the vent! It's just bugging me. If you can avoid the pizza and tootsie rolls, you can do a good job there!
No reason you can't start lifting now! Hold on to the muscles you have now, instead of losing them while you drop weight.

I am in that gym everyday and I am dieing to hear that LUNKHEAD thing go off. LOL. And the pizza and tootsie roll thing is easy to avoid. But the bagels, ah, the bagels. I try not to go in the mornings on bagel day. LOL

Thanks for the advice.

normanmac

Well, from my woman's perspective...I love the circuit training....but my husband doesn't care that much for it. I like it because it's mindless, do your circuit and you're done...I do shake things up, start at different points in the circuit etc but in the end it's still the same old thing. My husband tends to focus on upper body one time and lower body the next. I think you need to try it and see what you think.

mmapags

You best progress will be made with free weights rather than machines. There are various reasons for this mostly having to do with better muscle utilization doing the workout. For example, if you are using a bench press machine, the machine is stabilizing and balancing the weight for you and you are just pushing it. Limited muscle activation. Same exercise with free weights and you are getting as much as 40% greater muscle activation according to some publish reports.

There are 2 programs you can find on line that are excellent beginner programs with intermediate and advanced elements for when you progress. One is Stronglifts 5X5, I use this and it also has a great iPhone app that walks you throught the workout and keeps track for you. The other is Starting Strength. Both are highly recommeded. I looked at both and chose Stronglifts because it's very simple to follow and the iPone app (despite how wordy the guys website and PDF doc on the program are!). I'm seeing great progress over the few weeks I've been using it. Hope this is helpful!

Work hard, get strong!

mbts08

I would recommend The New Rules of Lifting. I am currently doing The New Rules Of Lifting For Women and love it (I am not in any was associated with the publisher or company).

He has a new book coming out next month, The New Rules Of Lifting For Life.

I like these because its three days a week with compound exercises.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.