Workout Critique Needed

Wookinpanub
Wookinpanub Posts: 635 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
A month into my plan. My goal is weight loss first (60 lbs) and toning. I am 42 and 6'4" and use to be fairly athletic but never a lot of shaped muscles. I was terribly skinny until college. Most of my weight is around my mid-section and more depressingly my newly formed tits - mostly on the side of the pec by my armpit. I have never been able to develop my chest.

Here's my workout routine:

Cardio at least 5X/week. I do the elliptical machine at the Y using interval training. Occasionally do the treadmill with some interval but I always keep aggravating a calf muscle. I am increasing my time and intensity gradually.

Weight lifting - alternate bench press/military press machines (day 1); arm curl bar/tricep extension on cables (day 2); lat pull down and back extension machines (day 3). I do 3 sets working up to 12 reps each. I do this after cardio workout.

Thoughts, suggestions? Again, I am just getting started at this and don't have a lot of experience weight lifting.

Replies

  • Lofteren
    Lofteren Posts: 960 Member
    You will benefit a lot more by learning the real barbell movements than by using the machines. You don't need to start out with a ton of weight, a lot of people start with just the bar, but you do need to start. There are some good lifting programs for beginners out there, my personal favorite is starting strength but a lot of people like stronglifts 5x5 (they're very similar) You can go to stronglifts.com and learn everything you need to know to start. The amount of cardio sounds good though. An hour of cardio a day is a good amount to strive for if you'd like to lose fat rapidly and, most importantly, keep your diet in check 100%. Good luck to you.
  • Wookinpanub
    Wookinpanub Posts: 635 Member
    Lofteren - thanks for the advice and I will check out those website. I do use a arm curls bar but machines for everything else. I have tried dumb bells before but they seem too awkward.
  • LollyChester
    LollyChester Posts: 25
    Lofteren - thanks for the advice and I will check out those website. I do use a arm curls bar but machines for everything else. I have tried dumb bells before but they seem too awkward.

    :) looks like you've got a good start - I have to agree with the previous poster - get away from the machines - it's much better and effective if you learn to do the real thing - and don't worry - it's all awkward until it isn't!

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