New gym routine, thoughts/critique?

caraherch
caraherch Posts: 34
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all, this is my first post to the boards. I am not a stranger to the gym or workouts as I played sports through high school and college, however I have not focused on weight loss in the past. I have been reading as much as possible about exercising, and think I have come up with a starting routine but it's hard to know what is right since there are so many contradicting opinions online. This past week I have only done cardio workouts to slowly get back into the game, but I know I need to balance it out. I would love any critiques on this routine before I start it up, thank you!

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays:
light cardio to warm up (10-15 minutes medium intensity on elliptical or treadmill)
Full body resistance training/free weights (still trying to nail down a good routine for this)

Tuesdays and Thursdays: high intensity cardio like intervals + aerobic like running backwards on elliptical, etc.

Saturdays: natural cardio like going for a walk at park or light hike through the canyon (just because I don't like the idea of back to back rest days)

Sundays: total rest/no workouts

For all I know, that could be an awful routine and may be pointless! Any input would be so appreciated!!

Replies

  • edwardkim85
    edwardkim85 Posts: 438 Member
    That's such a vague gym routine that I can't comment...
  • Unknown
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  • rejectuf
    rejectuf Posts: 487 Member
    Use a routine like starting strength or strong lifts 5x5 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday if you want an effective routine.

    If you are coming back to exercise after a very long time it may be best to just focus on the lifting and then work in the HI IT as your body adjusts to it.
  • caraherch
    caraherch Posts: 34
    Sorry about being vague, but I was mostly trying to get input on the setup. A lot of what I was reading was about how often to weight train and do cardio, and then which to do when and in what order and how close etc etc... It got so complicated that I couldn't even get to figuring out the exercises themselves. So I figured I should start by establishing at least what days to do what.

    Also, it's pretty vague because I am not following a set plan from a book or diet, and I want the flexibility to change up the activity when things get boring.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I do the light cardio-warmup and heavy lifting on M,W,F. I've been trying to add in more cardio on T,Th, but I haven't made it through the whole week's workouts yet when I've done this.

    If you haven't exercise much lately, don't jump into it full throttle. Start with the lifting 3 days a week and some light-moderate cardio if you feel up to it the other days, but don't push yourself to far too fast. Especially doing a full body lifting routine, you need more rest days at first. Once you get the lifting part down, you can see if you need to add in more cardio.

    I second the recommendation to get a program like Strong Lifts for you resistance/weight training.
  • caraherch
    caraherch Posts: 34
    Thanks! I will look more into the strong lift program. If I could have it my way I would only do cardio mixed with stuff like Zumba, but I understand that's apparently not as good for you? My main goal is just to be healthier- I live close to mt rainier so it would be nice to go on hikes without getting so easily winded.

    One of the resistance routines I was looking at to start was this:
    http://www.health.com/health/m/gallery/0,,20366277,00.html
  • rejectuf
    rejectuf Posts: 487 Member
    Thanks! I will look more into the strong lift program. If I could have it my way I would only do cardio mixed with stuff like Zumba, but I understand that's apparently not as good for you? My main goal is just to be healthier- I live close to mt rainier so it would be nice to go on hikes without getting so easily winded.

    One of the resistance routines I was looking at to start was this:
    http://www.health.com/health/m/gallery/0,,20366277,00.html

    Not sure how to put it gently, but that's a pretty terrible routine. Supermans, step-ups, lunges, etc. are good for warming up your muscles, not actual strength building. The squat to overhead press (often called a thruster) is good with heavy weights but doing it with 5 lb dumb bells is silly.

    Look up strong lifts or starting strength. They are basically the gold standard for a newbie strength building routine.
  • caraherch
    caraherch Posts: 34
    Didn't make the routine, so no offense taken! My only fitness knowledge is sports related, so it's hard to know what routines are good! I used to do a range of machines at the gym, but I worry that I'm missing certain muscles that way and have been searching online for a total body plan and that was just one that caught my eye.

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