The best gym equipment for weight loss?

taranew21
taranew21 Posts: 26 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Could anyone tell me what the best gym equipment is for weight loss? I've joined the gym and am off there tomorrow morning for a workout, but i have absolutely no idea what im doing! HELP!?
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Replies

  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    Free weights. Buy the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women" and follow the plan. :-)
  • feelin_gr_8
    feelin_gr_8 Posts: 308 Member
    From what I've noticed, the ellipticals burn more calories than the other machines that I've tried. I've recently joined a gym as well and I know I should get more into weights but am too intimidated. I have 2 free personal trainer sessions that came with my membership so I'll make sure to get help there.
  • shaydon80
    shaydon80 Posts: 138 Member
    I think it's a mix of cardio and weights. Find which ever cardio equipment you enjoy and go for it :)
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    The machines you will use and enjoy and keep going back for.
  • qtgonewild
    qtgonewild Posts: 1,930 Member
    i love/hate the elliptical.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Free weights. Buy the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women" and follow the plan. :-)


    THIS

    Not only is it a progressive weight lifting plan, it prevents you from wandering around the gym looking lost. I made a chart for each exercise, pictures if you don't remember what the exercise is. Mark down the weights you're using so you can GRADUALLY increase them throught the weeks. I also do 15 minutes of cardio before and after I lift.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    table push always and fork put downs.

    stuff at the gym helps you get fit- not lose weight.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    From what I've noticed, the ellipticals burn more calories than the other machines that I've tried. I've recently joined a gym as well and I know I should get more into weights but am too intimidated. I have 2 free personal trainer sessions that came with my membership so I'll make sure to get help there.

    That machine tends to overestimate calories. Most likely you burn more on the treadmill, if you use a HRM you will get a much better estimate than the machine for elliptical.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Free weights. Buy the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women" and follow the plan. :-)


    THIS

    Not only is it a progressive weight lifting plan, it prevents you from wandering around the gym looking lost. I made a chart for each exercise, pictures if you don't remember what the exercise is. Mark down the weights you're using so you can GRADUALLY increase them throught the weeks. I also do 15 minutes of cardio before and after I lift.
    I read that book. Then I went to the gym, walked to the free weights section and realized nothing looked like in the book and I had no idea where to start.

    So ....
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Eat at a deficit and look for this machine in your gym.


    squat_rack.jpg

    And do StrongLifts or NROL in it
  • taranew21
    taranew21 Posts: 26 Member
    Thanks everyone! Looks like it's a combo between weights and cardio! i'll write all this down on my phone so i can remember it when i get there!
  • ginnycarroll77
    ginnycarroll77 Posts: 27 Member
    positive-attitude
  • feelin_gr_8
    feelin_gr_8 Posts: 308 Member
    From what I've noticed, the ellipticals burn more calories than the other machines that I've tried. I've recently joined a gym as well and I know I should get more into weights but am too intimidated. I have 2 free personal trainer sessions that came with my membership so I'll make sure to get help there.

    That machine tends to overestimate calories. Most likely you burn more on the treadmill, if you use a HRM you will get a much better estimate than the machine for elliptical.

    I always assume they all overestimate...just to play it safe. It's also the easiest on my knees. Bikes and treadmills make me cringe...but that's not an issue for everyone.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Free weights. Buy the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women" and follow the plan. :-)


    THIS

    Not only is it a progressive weight lifting plan, it prevents you from wandering around the gym looking lost. I made a chart for each exercise, pictures if you don't remember what the exercise is. Mark down the weights you're using so you can GRADUALLY increase them throught the weeks. I also do 15 minutes of cardio before and after I lift.
    I read that book. Then I went to the gym, walked to the free weights section and realized nothing looked like in the book and I had no idea where to start.

    So ....

    you're gym doesn't have a squat rack or power cage?

    and you don't know how to google.

    okay got it.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Free weights. Buy the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women" and follow the plan. :-)


    THIS

    Not only is it a progressive weight lifting plan, it prevents you from wandering around the gym looking lost. I made a chart for each exercise, pictures if you don't remember what the exercise is. Mark down the weights you're using so you can GRADUALLY increase them throught the weeks. I also do 15 minutes of cardio before and after I lift.
    I read that book. Then I went to the gym, walked to the free weights section and realized nothing looked like in the book and I had no idea where to start.

    So ....

    I took each exercise, googled them, watched some videos, saved some pictures and hit the gym as soon as I could. It's fun, and works really well. I also googled alternatives, because I can't get my fat *kitten* to do a jackknife to save my life, so I found alternatives. It's a good place to start, and the book is cheap.
  • juliemouse83
    juliemouse83 Posts: 6,663 Member
    Eat at a deficit and look for this machine in your gym.


    squat_rack.jpg

    And do StrongLifts of NROL in it


    ^^^ Oh, SO MUCH this! ^^^^

    I want one of those so badly for the house I can't stand it! :)
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    From what I've noticed, the ellipticals burn more calories than the other machines that I've tried. I've recently joined a gym as well and I know I should get more into weights but am too intimidated. I have 2 free personal trainer sessions that came with my membership so I'll make sure to get help there.

    That machine tends to overestimate calories. Most likely you burn more on the treadmill, if you use a HRM you will get a much better estimate than the machine for elliptical.

    I always assume they all overestimate...just to play it safe. It's also the easiest on my knees. Bikes and treadmills make me cringe...but that's not an issue for everyone.
    Using an HRM I burn far more on the elliptical than on the treadmill. But it depends on what you do and how high you set the resistence, how fast you go, etc. Working full intensity at a high resistence burns more on the elliptical. Because it's low-impact, it feels like you're working less when you're actually working more.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    The machines you will use and enjoy and keep going back for.

    This!

    ETA: machines or equipment, and the ones you will want to keep pushing yourself to progress.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    table push always and fork put downs.

    stuff at the gym helps you get fit- not lose weight.
    This.

    As for the gym, I recommend Stronglifts for a lifting routine, that New Rules routine is way too over complicated, way too much extraneous stuff in it.

    For cardio, do whatever you enjoy.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Free weights. Buy the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women" and follow the plan. :-)


    THIS

    Not only is it a progressive weight lifting plan, it prevents you from wandering around the gym looking lost. I made a chart for each exercise, pictures if you don't remember what the exercise is. Mark down the weights you're using so you can GRADUALLY increase them throught the weeks. I also do 15 minutes of cardio before and after I lift.
    I read that book. Then I went to the gym, walked to the free weights section and realized nothing looked like in the book and I had no idea where to start.

    So ....

    you're gym doesn't have a squat rack or power cage?

    and you don't know how to google.

    okay got it.
    I don't know. Nothing looked the same. And why should I have to google what's IN A BOOK that's supposed to explain it all? It had photos and descriptions, but it was not helpful at all once I tried to incorporate it in reality.

    I should have just googled in the first place and saved the money I spent on the useless book.
  • Haileyleavitt
    Haileyleavitt Posts: 19
    i have a love/hate relationship with the elliptical, but i do a lot of cardio, zumba and weights. cardio and weights seem to be the best way to go.
  • tarabole
    tarabole Posts: 166 Member
    If your gym offers classes, that might be a good place to start so you can learn the proper technique and be guaranteed a full body work out and a proper stretch. Spinning burns more calories than most other classes, but mixing in some classes ith weights can be helpful, then you can progress to the weights in the weight area.
  • EuroDivas
    EuroDivas Posts: 93 Member
    From what I've noticed, the ellipticals burn more calories than the other machines that I've tried. I've recently joined a gym as well and I know I should get more into weights but am too intimidated. I have 2 free personal trainer sessions that came with my membership so I'll make sure to get help there.



    Please take full advantage of your trainer sessions. Also make sure that they teach you the proper way to use the equipment.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I don't know. Nothing looked the same. And why should I have to google what's IN A BOOK that's supposed to explain it all? It had photos and descriptions, but it was not helpful at all once I tried to incorporate it in reality.

    I should have just googled in the first place and saved the money I spent on the useless book.

    this guy figured it out
    I took each exercise, googled them, watched some videos, saved some pictures and hit the gym as soon as I could. It's fun, and works really well. I also googled alternatives, because I can't get my fat *kitten* to do a jackknife to save my life, so I found alternatives. It's a good place to start, and the book is cheap.

    That being said - NROL is probably one of the more complicated programs. Try Starting Strength or Strong lifts.
  • kinmad4it
    kinmad4it Posts: 185 Member
    You already own the best equipment you could ever wish for, your own body! Bodyweight exercises can go from the ridiculously easy to the monumentally hard, nigh on impossible for most mortals. You might be able to squat 400 pounds but can you do just one pistol squat?
  • Shoechick5
    Shoechick5 Posts: 221 Member
    there are lots of good answers but really, you need to find something you love to do and will stick with. Give all the cardio machines a try, who knows what you'll be drawn to, but definitely add lifting.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I don't know. Nothing looked the same. And why should I have to google what's IN A BOOK that's supposed to explain it all? It had photos and descriptions, but it was not helpful at all once I tried to incorporate it in reality.

    I should have just googled in the first place and saved the money I spent on the useless book.

    this guy figured it out
    I took each exercise, googled them, watched some videos, saved some pictures and hit the gym as soon as I could. It's fun, and works really well. I also googled alternatives, because I can't get my fat *kitten* to do a jackknife to save my life, so I found alternatives. It's a good place to start, and the book is cheap.

    As I said, the book was supposed to tell me what and how. It didn't. Why buy the book in the first place, which I bought at the recommendation of people on this site.

    If you still have to google everything after reading the book, there's no point in buying the book ...
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    The elliptical for many hours helped me lose a lot of weight, but doing Stronglifts with a little bit of cardio thrown in helped me decrease my body fat % and made me look better than just doing the elliptical.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I don't know. Nothing looked the same. And why should I have to google what's IN A BOOK that's supposed to explain it all? It had photos and descriptions, but it was not helpful at all once I tried to incorporate it in reality.

    I should have just googled in the first place and saved the money I spent on the useless book.

    this guy figured it out
    I took each exercise, googled them, watched some videos, saved some pictures and hit the gym as soon as I could. It's fun, and works really well. I also googled alternatives, because I can't get my fat *kitten* to do a jackknife to save my life, so I found alternatives. It's a good place to start, and the book is cheap.

    As I said, the book was supposed to tell me what and how. It didn't. Why buy the book in the first place, which I bought at the recommendation of people on this site.

    If you still have to google everything after reading the book, there's no point in buying the book ...
    Ugh- You're completely missing the point.
    I'm in a training class for work. The open book/take home quiz is given at the end of every day.....

    guess what I'm googling that stuff because IT"S NOT IN MY HANDBOOK.

    it's a program. You don't have to come up with a program. That's what you bought. A program. That being said- you could have googled that up to. But the thing is there is so much stuff there you have no idea to start. Having a manual and a program gives you a jumping off point- a reference- something for which to google with out getting lost in the sauce.

    Just because you buy a program doesn't mean the information will be spoon fed to you- sometimes you have to get off your duff and do more work on your own.
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    technically all the equipment will help you lose weight.

    Get a Personal trainer or get NROLFW (New Rules of Lifting) to get a routine going :)

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