Exercise advice.

toniilouiiseeex825
toniilouiiseeex825 Posts: 2 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
ive joined the gym but always find it hard knowing what to train with to try and lose weight. I'm not 100% clued up with working out, can anyone help a beginner?

Replies

  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    I would recommend starting with cardio, treadmill, dance class or elliptical for 20-30 minutes
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    AnnaJarmila wrote: »
    I would recommend starting with cardio, treadmill, dance class or elliptical for 20-30 minutes

    That's a very general answer and not where everyone should start.

    OP what are your fitness goals? If you want to be an endurance athlete it's going to be a different approach than a power lifter, which will be a different approach than a physique model, which will be a different approach than a competitive body builder, which will be a different approach than someone trying increase their overall health etc...
  • Ngegee
    Ngegee Posts: 35 Member
    If you're just starting, try a little of everything! not all in one session but don't get stuck using the same 3 or 4 machines everytime, best of luck
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    @galgenstrick yes it sure is a general answer!
    Give your own answer instead of criticizing my general advice... The OP said they are new to the gym so that's my suggestion.
    ✋
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    AnnaJarmila wrote: »
    @galgenstrick yes it sure is a general answer!
    Give your own answer instead of criticizing my general advice... The OP said they are new to the gym so that's my suggestion.
    ✋

    There isn't enough information to answer OPs question in any meaningful way, that's why I asked for more information. There are a lot of people on these forums that have been given advice to do a ton of cardio. They lose a bunch of weight, and end up not looking like they wanted because they lost a lot of their muscle.
  • sympha01
    sympha01 Posts: 942 Member
    I don't think it's too hard to extrapolate from the OP's question that they are a fitness newbie whose primary concern is weight loss, so even asking the OP about their goals probably sounds pretty overwhelming to them. Becoming a power lifter, physique model, or competitive body builder are fantasies for newbies, not real goals.

    A newbie's goals are to feel better about exercising so they don't feel like a newbie anymore and can start making more directed choices. A newbie's primary goal at this point should be to establish an exercise habit from the point of not having an exercise habit.

    From that perspective, OP, my advice is for now, sample different things and see what you enjoy doing, what you're good at, what you want to get better at. If you are not in very good shape right now, spend part of your time trying "strengthy" stuff with machines, bodyweight, dumbbells, and part of your time building your cardiovascular endurance (which might be self-directed time on the treadmill and eliptical etc., or might be a dance or spin or kickboxing class etc.). In my experience it took 3-4 months of just making and keeping fitness appointments with myself until I felt confident and strong so I got super-excited about trying new sports.

    Even if you are /only/ interested in weight loss, mixing in a little strength work with your cardio is helpful because it can help prevent injury. Plus plenty of people will chime in to point out that strength exercise protects your muscle mass, which burns more calories at rest than fat mass etc. etc. etc.
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    sympha01 wrote: »
    I don't think it's too hard to extrapolate from the OP's question that they are a fitness newbie whose primary concern is weight loss, so even asking the OP about their goals probably sounds pretty overwhelming to them. Becoming a power lifter, physique model, or competitive body builder are fantasies for newbies, not real goals.

    A newbie's goals are to feel better about exercising so they don't feel like a newbie anymore and can start making more directed choices. A newbie's primary goal at this point should be to establish an exercise habit from the point of not having an exercise habit.

    From that perspective, OP, my advice is for now, sample different things and see what you enjoy doing, what you're good at, what you want to get better at. If you are not in very good shape right now, spend part of your time trying "strengthy" stuff with machines, bodyweight, dumbbells, and part of your time building your cardiovascular endurance (which might be self-directed time on the treadmill and eliptical etc., or might be a dance or spin or kickboxing class etc.). In my experience it took 3-4 months of just making and keeping fitness appointments with myself until I felt confident and strong so I got super-excited about trying new sports.

    Even if you are /only/ interested in weight loss, mixing in a little strength work with your cardio is helpful because it can help prevent injury. Plus plenty of people will chime in to point out that strength exercise protects your muscle mass, which burns more calories at rest than fat mass etc. etc. etc.

    I don't fully agree with this. Everyone should have a reason why they are losing weight. If it's simply to feel better about themselves because they exercise, then sure, do whatever you want in the gym. Most people have a vision of where they want to be that motivates them to exercise. Intimidation is irrelevant. If you have a goal for a certain type of body, then you need to be willing to do what it takes to get it.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Follow a good strength program, like NROL4W, Stronglifts, or a personal trainer's plan.
    Add in some cardio of your choice on your non-strength days.
    Report back in 6 months. :+1:
  • MikeInAZ
    MikeInAZ Posts: 483 Member
    Look up HIIT training on YouTube. Lots and Lots of ideas. Or do the BootCamp class if there's one. But make a plan, don't just go. If you do you'll end up doing less and not systematically build. Look up Treadmill Workouts too, lots of good ideas there.
  • ironhajee
    ironhajee Posts: 384 Member
    AnnaJarmila wrote: »
    @galgenstrick yes it sure is a general answer!
    Give your own answer instead of criticizing my general advice... The OP said they are new to the gym so that's my suggestion.
    ✋

    LOL laying down the law. I love it!
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