Running....then what?

Do they have weight machines? Use those for strength training and use the elliptical machine. It is awesome!

Such a variety don't even know where to start. First, do you have a gym membership? The best is 24 hour fitness because all their classes are free. If you work for a large corporation you might even have a discount, just ask your employer.

I think resistance training is a must. Invest in small dumbells and an exercise ball and a few videos if you're not going for the gym. BUT motivation and work-out buddies are a key so make sure you have someone to work out with at least 2 times a week.

Yoga, kickboxing, pilates, swimming, the list can go on and on. Depends on your interests of course. Since its winter you can also do skiing, snowboarding and actually any sports.

I bought some books like Exercise for Dummies and Fitness for Dummies. It shows you what to do and how to do them. You may be able to find them on Ebay or Amazon cheap. Just Google exercises with hand weights and see what you can come up with.

gyminee.com and sparkpeople.com both have good strength training exercise examples to show you how/what to do with dumbbells - and they are both free! Gyminee also has numerous work out programs based on what you want to do and what equipment you have.

what are your goals is the big question right now? if you just want to firm up then go for the super sets. squats/lunges, clean and clear curls, and deadlift exercises that use more than one muscle group to do the movement. but if you have something specific in mind like a road race or a vacation activity or something like that you can target a little better for it.

couple of things..
first, my gym and many others are now doing a free monthly assesment to help you make it from point a to point b. See if your gym has a montly program where you can meet with the trainers for free to build a strength training program.

second, many people have already mentioned the free sights. Most of the magazines, prevention, shape, women's health etc all have workout programs available online for free as well.

third, try some of your gym's classes. Gyms offer more than just cardio in the "cardio" room now. My gym has a series by les mills and one of my favorite is Body Pump, an hour of weights to good music and gives a little boost to my workout. Many gyms offer a variation of this class, check it out.

finally, if you own an MP3 player you can get personal training sessions as podcasts for a minimal fee, compared to a personal trainer. Just google mp3 + personal training and a variety of sites will come up. Some offer for you to buy a program and others charge a monthly fee and you can go in and tweak your workout to your needs.

Otherwise...circuit training to whatever music you are listening to! And don't be afraid to ask the muscle heads for help, they are usually pretty nice about helping with free weights!

Good luck :flowerforyou:

So, I guess I didn't really give a lot of detail on that first post...

My choices are the treadmill, which I do for about 45-50 min, bike, elliptical, a variety of dumbells and a bench press.

This may sound dumb, but I don't know what to do with the dumbells! Does anyone know any good exercises? Or maybe a website or magazine with exercises?

Thanks!

Go buy the Book "Five Factor Fitness" It got me started and I saw results. I did more cardio than it suggested, but you all ready have that part down anyway. I ignored the food part of the book b/c it was stuff that you can't find in Alabama! He is a trainer for the "stars" so the food is just a little weird.

http://www.amazon.com/5-Factor-Fitness-Harley-Pasternak/dp/0399152296