Advice on workout schedule???

Truegoddess22
Truegoddess22 Posts: 94 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So I've been a member of Planet Fitness for a little over a month now I think. I met with the personal trainer a while back to get a customized workout based on my goals and I was wondering if modifying them was doing more harm then good.

I was told to spend only 30 minutes doing cardio and it was 10 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the elliptical and then 10 minutes on the arc trainer. I don't do that.

I do 20 minutes on the treadmill, 10-15 minutes on the elliptical and I'm building up to 10 minutes on the arc trainer. Am I overdoing it or is this ok? I don't feel like I'm doing enough.

I also do arms and legs like the overhead press, arm curls and the leg press. I currently go 3 days a week because I was told to stick to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule but I really want to add in another day. Advisable or not?

Replies

  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    I’d say build up to whatever you can handle. But do try to have one rest day per week (that can be active recovery, but take a break from intense work). Many people work up their cardio to an hour or longer, so no worries if you want to go longer. Big box gyms want a bunch of minions that will do 30 minutes and get out of the next minion’s way. If you want or need more, go for it!

    As for lifting, I’d recommend finding a program that fits your goals. New Rules of Lifting for Women or strong lifts. These might be hard to pull off at a PF, but you should be able to adapt them to get benefits with the equipment there.

    Beyond the warm up, I’d recommend lifting on days that you’re not doing cardio. So, maybe it is cardio on M-W-F and lifting on T-Th.
  • Truegoddess22
    Truegoddess22 Posts: 94 Member
    Ok I'll look into the New Rules of Lifting. So Monday, Wednesday and Friday keep it strictly to cardio or can I do cardio and the machines and then lifting on Tuesdays and Thursdays?

    I go late at night (9:30 or 10pm) so it's usually not that packed and I don't have time constraints. Maybe she set the times low so that I could build up to them?
    AllanMisner wrote: »
    I’d say build up to whatever you can handle. But do try to have one rest day per week (that can be active recovery, but take a break from intense work). Many people work up their cardio to an hour or longer, so no worries if you want to go longer. Big box gyms want a bunch of minions that will do 30 minutes and get out of the next minion’s way. If you want or need more, go for it!

    As for lifting, I’d recommend finding a program that fits your goals. New Rules of Lifting for Women or strong lifts. These might be hard to pull off at a PF, but you should be able to adapt them to get benefits with the equipment there.

    Beyond the warm up, I’d recommend lifting on days that you’re not doing cardio. So, maybe it is cardio on M-W-F and lifting on T-Th.

  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    If you’re doing a good lifting program, there won’t be a need for the machines on the cardio days. To build strength and muscle, you need a stimulus (the lifting) and recovery (rest days between). Go hard and heavy (with good form) on your lifting days and you’ll be glad to stick to the cardio work on the days between.

    Yes, you should work up to the volume (too much too fast can cause over-training and injury). But as you build volume, keep on keeping on. Set goals for yourself and watch them happen.

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