About the gym...

Archer9304
Archer9304 Posts: 113 Member
in Getting Started
Okay so after seeing the price, I decided maybe the gym isn't such a good idea after all...

But I really need to tone up and *build muscle* (<emphasis on this). I'd like to do a bulk and cut. I'm a total beginner and noob when it comes to strength and I seriously have no idea what I'm doing. Or going to do.

Perhaps I need a good program I can do at home? With minimal equipment. Please?

ETA: the goal of this is to strengthen my arms a little but more to have a flatter stomach. Because I look pregnant but I'm already at a good weight.
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Replies

  • Archer9304
    Archer9304 Posts: 113 Member
    With all of the above considered...please take a look at the 2 pictures of my belly in my profile...Because I'm not even sure if I've diagnosed the problem correctly. Should I lose more fat, or should I build muscle? I'm currently 5'1 and 127lb.
  • chadya07
    chadya07 Posts: 627 Member
    is there only one gym available in your town?

    i pay less than 20 dollars a month for mine (golds gym)

    ymca is also an inexpensive option.

    there are about 6 gyms in my neighborhood and they range in price from 85 dollars a month to mine, which was on special for 19.00 a month.

    but you dont HAVE to use a gym. you can even do body weight exersizes.
  • chadya07
    chadya07 Posts: 627 Member
    and... you should both lose fat AND build muscle. the two together.
  • Archer9304
    Archer9304 Posts: 113 Member
    is there only one gym available in your town?

    i pay less than 20 dollars a month for mine (golds gym)

    ymca is also an inexpensive option.

    there are about 6 gyms in my neighborhood and they range in price from 85 dollars a month to mine, which was on special for 19.00 a month.

    but you dont HAVE to use a gym. you can even do body weight exersizes.

    Yeah only one gym, that's why they charge outrageous prices. And then they want me to sign a solid contract. I can't just pay for one or six months. If I sign up it has to be a lifetime membership and I don't want that. They also don't have instructors or anything. Small town.

    Can you recommend a good program for home? With minimal equipment?
  • Archer9304
    Archer9304 Posts: 113 Member
    and... you should both lose fat AND build muscle. the two together.

    I thought you had to eat at maintenance to build muscle?
  • chadya07
    chadya07 Posts: 627 Member
    and... you should both lose fat AND build muscle. the two together.

    I thought you had to eat at maintenance to build muscle?

    ok let me rephrase. you should both strength train and fat burn.

    sorry about the small town. a lifetime membership is absurd. there is a book or program or something people keep mentioning called "you are your own gym" or something... hopefully someone chimes in with the actual name. i LOVE les mills body pump. the kit is pretty spendy but it is like a mix of strength and cardio and it feels great. i have been having good results with the classes. they have a home program around 180-190 for the equipment (barbell) and dvds
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,530 Member
    I just bought You Are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren. It gives good descriptions of body weight exercises, and pictures of them, as well. I'm using it during the night shift, when I have downtime - there's no equipment needed and these exercises can be done anywhere. Good luck to you
  • Stephen318
    Stephen318 Posts: 19 Member
    There are plenty of home workout dvd 's available with little equipment needed by beach body , Jillian Michaels etc.. You could also do the "basics" 3 times a week

    Body weight squats
    Pushups
    planks or crunches
    small weighted barbell curl
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Yeah, you want this book: http://amzn.to/1kLa5ZT

    50% of my training is bodyweight only. As things get easier, there's a progression to make it tough again. Bodyweight legs is the only thing you might max out on from a strength perspective.

    WRT gyms, I do use gyms but have yet to pay for one. There's always a way round. :D
  • lynetterose85
    lynetterose85 Posts: 3 Member
    Have you tried kettlebells before? They're a good calorie burner and I've certainly noticed a difference in muscle. You can do this from home but it might be advisable to go to a couple of classes to get the technique right so you don't injure yourself! :)
  • SrMaggalicious
    SrMaggalicious Posts: 495 Member
    is there only one gym available in your town?

    i pay less than 20 dollars a month for mine (golds gym)

    ymca is also an inexpensive option.

    there are about 6 gyms in my neighborhood and they range in price from 85 dollars a month to mine, which was on special for 19.00 a month.

    but you dont HAVE to use a gym. you can even do body weight exersizes.

    Yeah only one gym, that's why they charge outrageous prices. And then they want me to sign a solid contract. I can't just pay for one or six months. If I sign up it has to be a lifetime membership and I don't want that. They also don't have instructors or anything. Small town.

    Can you recommend a good program for home? With minimal equipment?

    Spend a hundred and twenty bucks total and buy the Shaun T Insanity vids. I'm 52 years old and NEVER had obliques until I did that vid FAITHFULLY (note in all CAPS!)six days a week. There are a ton of very difficult full body exercises...they will build your delts, etc...it's not a sissy workout, trust me.

    With that said, you can't spot-reduce. "Abs are made in the kitchen." work on your diet...and your cals/macros calculations.

    Correction: VIDEOS, plural...I think there are about 8-10 in all. Good luck...then slowly invest in adjustable dumbbells, a barbell and plates as you can afford.
  • Antlady69
    Antlady69 Posts: 204 Member
    I agree with Darren - try bodyweight exercises. They cost nothing, and there are tons of clips on YouTube.

    For example, have a look at this search: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bodyweight+abs+women
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    This guy has some prison workouts on his blog

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Rmenifield

    They are designed to be done in a cell and still have great results. Possibly what you are looking for =)
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    is there only one gym available in your town?

    i pay less than 20 dollars a month for mine (golds gym)

    ymca is also an inexpensive option.

    there are about 6 gyms in my neighborhood and they range in price from 85 dollars a month to mine, which was on special for 19.00 a month.

    but you dont HAVE to use a gym. you can even do body weight exersizes.

    Yeah only one gym, that's why they charge outrageous prices. And then they want me to sign a solid contract. I can't just pay for one or six months. If I sign up it has to be a lifetime membership and I don't want that. They also don't have instructors or anything. Small town.

    Can you recommend a good program for home? With minimal equipment?

    That's crazy. Does no one in your town ever move?
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    i would go for eating at a small deficit - TDEE -10% and look into some strength/resistance training - you are your own gym, NROL4W, or if you want a dvd programme, P90X3 is excellent.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    swimming is a full body workout that requires a strong core, arms, shoulders, legs, etc. DO push ups. Get yourself some resistance bands for about twenty bucks. There are many many exercised to do with those. At all times of the day, focus on holding in your core muscles especially when going for walks/jogs/swimming/ or anything else. THat helps me. I swear by swimming. This is summer and the beach is free if you don't have a pool. Don't lose more weight. Check out youtube for stuff like tae bo. THat is great on the abs and whole body.
  • littlekitty3
    littlekitty3 Posts: 265 Member
    I suggest you look at litealloy.com for non gym workouts. It has all the old bodyrock workouts and you can substitute a lot of the equipment.
    Other good ones I have found are Christine Salus, loving fit, and hot body method.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    you can go on you tube and find lots of workouts.
    I am doing Jillian Micheals' 30 day shred....I have lost inches on my waist and toned all over.
    It is free, all you need is a mat or a towel and handweights or soupcans.
    This is an intense workout!:noway:
  • Anniebotnen
    Anniebotnen Posts: 332 Member
    i would go for eating at a small deficit - TDEE -10% and look into some strength/resistance training - you are your own gym, NROL4W, or if you want a dvd programme, P90X3 is excellent.

    ^^^This. Based on your pictures, you still have some fat to lose, and you are new to lifting, so this is not a time for you to bulk. Also, you will get MUCH better results from your resistance training by following an established program designed by experts like those suggested, rather than randomly picking some exercises.

    Best of luck to you!
  • fejiofor
    fejiofor Posts: 373 Member
    Www.personaltrainer.com is a useful site for home exercises. Please get a gym ball and 2 or more dumbbells to do the exercises on the personal trainer site. Are you on twitter? If yes,then search fitness and follow as many fitness tweeps as possible.
  • oksanatkachuk
    oksanatkachuk Posts: 149 Member
    Pair of dumbbells with foldable weights is actually all u might need, and a mat.
    I choose gym coz it motivates me more, but in off days i can do 70% of my routine at home.

    http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-routines/ultimate-6-week-home-workout?_ami_s

    There is so much dif staff online for any taste. If u really stick to it- u can do it with minimum investments
  • missemmibelle
    missemmibelle Posts: 100 Member
    A mat, pair of dumbells and 30-day Shred.

    Not my thing, but it's pretty popular around here.
  • luckypony71
    luckypony71 Posts: 399 Member
    Check with your local churches. I know several members of our gym that go to different churches and do a boot camp or other type of fitness classes for people that either cannot afford to go to a gym or just do not feel comfortable in a gym environment.

    I have the same problem with lots of belly fat.

    Try some workouts that focus on core and stabilizer muscles. Bridges, one leg dead lift, squat (two legs)s. All things you can do at home with or without weights. Google the workouts, lots out there.
  • Archer9304
    Archer9304 Posts: 113 Member
    UPDATE: I headed for the sport shop...and happen to mention the gym issue to the cashier...and she pointed me to a new gym that opened a month ago just a little farther out of town...

    $50 p/month, with free classes and such....and the people are REALLY nice. Got my first tutorial 2 hours ago. I just signed up for one month to see how I like it. Going to my first cardio/strength class tomorrow 8am.

    Now I'm pondering whether I should hire a PT. That would double the monthly fee, but I have the money. Just wondering IF I should do it.
  • laynerich15
    laynerich15 Posts: 1,918 Member
    Find something that you can pick up (bag of sugar, tree, child) and pick it up and put it down.. keep finding heaver things to do that with.
  • Archer9304
    Archer9304 Posts: 113 Member
    Find something that you can pick up (bag of sugar, tree, child) and pick it up and put it down.. keep finding heaver things to do that with.

    It's that easy huh :laugh:
  • martinel2099
    martinel2099 Posts: 899 Member
    I highly recommend finding a good gym but you have plenty of other non-gym options you can try. Is the issue cost or is it just gym phobia? There are plenty of good cheap gyms, Gold's Gym used to run me $30 bucks a month which is pretty budget friendly. I workout at LifeTime now which runs me $80 per month but I'm ok with that given the quality of the equipment, lots of extra space and pool / hottub availability.

    If it's gym phobia try and get over it. You're going to look stupid once in a while because you're learning (we all have been there) but it's important to let that go and laugh it off. People at the gyms I've been to have been really supportive and are just like you just trying to get their workout on and improve.
  • Archer9304
    Archer9304 Posts: 113 Member
    I highly recommend finding a good gym but you have plenty of other non-gym options you can try. Is the issue cost or is it just gym phobia? There are plenty of good cheap gyms, Gold's Gym used to run me $30 bucks a month which is pretty budget friendly. I workout at LifeTime now which runs me $80 per month but I'm ok with that given the quality of the equipment, lots of extra space and pool / hottub availability.

    If it's gym phobia try and get over it. You're going to look stupid once in a while because you're learning (we all have been there) but it's important to let that go and laugh it off. People at the gyms I've been to have been really supportive and are just like you just trying to get their workout on and improve.
    UPDATE: I headed for the sport shop...and
    happen to mention the gym issue to the
    cashier...and she pointed me to a new gym that
    opened a month ago just a little farther out of
    town...
    $50 p/month, with free classes and such....and
    the people are REALLY nice. Got my first
    tutorial 2 hours ago. I just signed up for one
    month to see how I like it. Going to my first
    cardio/strength class tomorrow 8am.
    Now I'm pondering whether I should hire a PT.
    That would double the monthly fee, but I have
    the money. Just wondering IF I should do it.
  • martinel2099
    martinel2099 Posts: 899 Member
    With all of the above considered...please take a look at the 2 pictures of my belly in my profile...Because I'm not even sure if I've diagnosed the problem correctly. Should I lose more fat, or should I build muscle? I'm currently 5'1 and 127lb.

    If you are comfortable with the weight you are at then I would focus on building some muscle. Having the perfect tummy means having a low body fat % and having some muscles there to show it off. I'd focus now on lifting heavy weights while eating at a small calorie surplus to build some muscle mass and having cutting cycles (while still heavy lifting) to lose some of the fat you gain. I recommend a beginners heavy lifting program like Ice Cream fitness, and check out Vismal's youtube channel "feeding fitness" for some pro tips how to bulk and cut.
  • martinel2099
    martinel2099 Posts: 899 Member
    I highly recommend finding a good gym but you have plenty of other non-gym options you can try. Is the issue cost or is it just gym phobia? There are plenty of good cheap gyms, Gold's Gym used to run me $30 bucks a month which is pretty budget friendly. I workout at LifeTime now which runs me $80 per month but I'm ok with that given the quality of the equipment, lots of extra space and pool / hottub availability.

    If it's gym phobia try and get over it. You're going to look stupid once in a while because you're learning (we all have been there) but it's important to let that go and laugh it off. People at the gyms I've been to have been really supportive and are just like you just trying to get their workout on and improve.
    UPDATE: I headed for the sport shop...and
    happen to mention the gym issue to the
    cashier...and she pointed me to a new gym that
    opened a month ago just a little farther out of
    town...
    $50 p/month, with free classes and such....and
    the people are REALLY nice. Got my first
    tutorial 2 hours ago. I just signed up for one
    month to see how I like it. Going to my first
    cardio/strength class tomorrow 8am.
    Now I'm pondering whether I should hire a PT.
    That would double the monthly fee, but I have
    the money. Just wondering IF I should do it.


    Sounds like a good gym, consider checking it out. The classes might be fun for you too.

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