What to focus on at the gym
Rawfoodsho
Posts: 181
So I just got a gym membership like a week ago and I have gone everyday. I am focusing on cardio right now (spot reduction doesn't work blah blah blah) I do use the arm machines but being out of shape after like two days my arms burned badly. My question is at 5'8 175 should I focus on cardio and just not worry about weights/machines until I am skinnier than I can start toning? I figure if I do tons of cardio to lose my over all weight, it will be easier to tone up.
Also my gym has new treadmill how accurate is the calorie burned info? I do enter my weight/age though but not height or anything. I like that the treadmill tells that I burned 400-600 calories or whatever, when I do the other arm/leg machines I dont even know what that burns.
Also my gym has new treadmill how accurate is the calorie burned info? I do enter my weight/age though but not height or anything. I like that the treadmill tells that I burned 400-600 calories or whatever, when I do the other arm/leg machines I dont even know what that burns.
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Replies
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You want an accurate calorie burned count, might I suggest a Heart Rate Monitor. I have found that gym machines and MFP over estimate calorie burns. I am using a Polar FT4 HRM and I am happy with my calorie burn counts.0
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So I just got a gym membership like a week ago and I have gone everyday. I am focusing on cardio right now (spot reduction doesn't work blah blah blah) I do use the arm machines but being out of shape after like two days my arms burned badly. My question is at 5'8 175 should I focus on cardio and just not worry about weights/machines until I am skinnier than I can start toning? I figure if I do tons of cardio to lose my over all weight, it will be easier to tone up.
Also my gym has new treadmill how accurate is the calorie burned info? I do enter my weight/age though but not height or anything. I like that the treadmill tells that I burned 400-600 calories or whatever, when I do the other arm/leg machines I dont even know what that burns.
Lift free weights now and do your cardio if you want.0 -
You want an accurate calorie burned count, might I suggest a Heart Rate Monitor. I have found that gym machines and MFP over estimate calorie burns. I am using a Polar FT4 HRM and I am happy with my calorie burn counts.
Over estimate by how much?0 -
Lifting weights while losing fat = "toning" by most people's definition of the word. You are removing the fat and keeping the muscle you already have. I'd look into a good beginner's program like Strong Lifts 5x5 (a website and downloadable pdf) or maybe New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women (a book).
In order to burn 10 calories a minute you have to work out pretty damn hard, so keep that in mind when estimating burns.0 -
I would say around 25-40%. Just a guestimate.
And yes, lift weights now. In fact, lift weights yesterday.0 -
Lifting weights while losing fat = "toning" by most people's definition of the word. You are removing the fat and keeping the muscle you already have. I'd look into a good beginner's program like Strong Lifts 5x5 (a website and downloadable pdf) or maybe New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women (a book).
In order to burn 10 calories a minute you have to work out pretty damn hard, so keep that in mind when estimating burns.
Well my gym has I guess the basic generic set of arm and leg machines and then a free weight area. Should I do free weights or the machines?0 -
Agreed. Lift weights and do cardio.0
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Lifting weights while losing fat = "toning" by most people's definition of the word. You are removing the fat and keeping the muscle you already have. I'd look into a good beginner's program like Strong Lifts 5x5 (a website and downloadable pdf) or maybe New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women (a book).
In order to burn 10 calories a minute you have to work out pretty damn hard, so keep that in mind when estimating burns.
Well my gym has I guess the basic generic set of arm and leg machines and then a free weight area. Should I do free weights or the machines?
Free weights. Watch the videos. Pay very close attention to form. Start slow and light.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary0 -
I'd suggest hiring a trainer for a few sessions so they can help you with form and a schedule. Ask them to show you different moves with free weights. And yes, start doing them. Yesterday.0
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Lifting weights while losing fat = "toning" by most people's definition of the word. You are removing the fat and keeping the muscle you already have. I'd look into a good beginner's program like Strong Lifts 5x5 (a website and downloadable pdf) or maybe New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women (a book).
In order to burn 10 calories a minute you have to work out pretty damn hard, so keep that in mind when estimating burns.
Well my gym has I guess the basic generic set of arm and leg machines and then a free weight area. Should I do free weights or the machines?
Free weights. Watch the videos. Pay very close attention to form. Start slow and light.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary
just belaboring the point that you should be doing a tried and true program like the one above. You could also look into Starting Strength and New Rules of Lifting for Women...but just willy nilly picking up weights without following a program isn't going to get you much of anywhere.0 -
just willy nilly picking up weights without following a program isn't going to get you much of anywhere.
Agreed.0 -
Lifting weights while losing fat = "toning" by most people's definition of the word. You are removing the fat and keeping the muscle you already have. I'd look into a good beginner's program like Strong Lifts 5x5 (a website and downloadable pdf) or maybe New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women (a book).
In order to burn 10 calories a minute you have to work out pretty damn hard, so keep that in mind when estimating burns.
Well my gym has I guess the basic generic set of arm and leg machines and then a free weight area. Should I do free weights or the machines?
Free weights. Watch the videos. Pay very close attention to form. Start slow and light.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary
just belaboring the point that you should be doing a tried and true program like the one above. You could also look into Starting Strength and New Rules of Lifting for Women...but just willy nilly picking up weights without following a program isn't going to get you much of anywhere.
I think picking up weights or doing certain machines correctly would easily get me somewhere. I can watch videos on how to use weights and I can also just look online0
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