Is this a good routine?

Alexstrasza · January 2012

First let me say that I am totally new to working out, and well, excercise in general.
Anyways here is the routine I have worked out for myself through the week. I need advice and feedback please.

Monday - 15 minutes on treadmill. 5 sets of 15 reps of biceps with 20-30 lbs. 5 sets of 15 reps of back with 20-30lbs. 15 minutes of oliptical.

Tuesday - Zumba Cardio workout for 30mins to an hour.

Wednesday - 15 minutes on treadmill. 5 sets of 15 reps of triceps with 20-30 lbs. 5 sets of 15 reps of chest with 20-30 lbs. 15 minutes of oliptical.

Thursday - Zumba Cardio workout for 30 mins to an hour.

Friday - 15 minutes of treadmill. 5 sets of 15 reps of legs with 20-40 lbs. 5 sets of 15 reps of shoulder with 20-30 lbs. 15 minutes of oliptical.

Does that sound like a good plan? Weekends I probably would do much because that is when we're busy with family stuff, running errands and doing family trips and stuff.

PrincessGlitterTush · January 2012

You need to decide what exactly you'll be working out in the strength side. Lunges, Deadlifts, Squats and Pushups are GREAT moves. Doing biceps isn't necessary at the moment. Try look into compound movements and not isolated ones. And you sound like you're doing more than enough cardio. Try increase you're weights too so you can build strong muscles.

Alexstrasza · January 2012

You need to decide what exactly you'll be working out in the strength side. Lunges, Deadlifts, Squats and Pushups are GREAT moves. Doing biceps isn't necessary at the moment. Try look into compound movements and not isolated ones. And you sound like you're doing more than enough cardio. Try increase you're weights too so you can build strong muscles.

I'm trying to do mostly cardio because I want to get rid of a lot of this fat before i start putting on too much muscle. My two babies left me with too much baby fat, lmao.

ahealthy4u · January 2012

It work's for me as for I get board doing the same thing and I have to switch it up I do HIT 3 days a week and then my off days I walk or do weights/boxing. If you find the routine you are doing becomes too easy up the weight and reps.

ahealthy4u · January 2012

If you are looking to do Cardio try doing HIT

Alexstrasza · January 2012

If you are looking to do Cardio try doing HIT

What's HIT?

dsjohndrow · January 2012

It is a great start. But is sounds like you are using machines, and maybe doing ALL the circuit twice will hit all the muscles. As noted, compound movements are better. Basically you have upper, lower and mid workouts. Nautilus and Cybex machines are meant to be used in succession. 1 trip through is about 15 minutes, and 2 is 30. Add to that a start on the treadmill and a finish on the elliptical, and it's a good workout. I would suggest more machines at 8-12 reps and move through with 30 seconds in between. Isolating muscles is for toning, not so much strength training. And the Zumba is great! Also good to see you taking rest days.

Raiderxx · January 2012

Seems like a very solid workout to me. I feel like you really just have to do what is easiest for you in the beginning.

Alexstrasza · January 2012

It is a great start. But is sounds like you are using machines, and maybe doing ALL the circuit twice will hit all the muscles. As noted, compound movements are better. Basically you have upper, lower and mid workouts. Nautilus and Cybex machines are meant to be used in succession. 1 trip through is about 15 minutes, and 2 is 30. Add to that a start on the treadmill and a finish on the elliptical, and it's a good workout. I would suggest more machines at 8-12 reps and move through with 30 seconds in between. Isolating muscles is for toning, not so much strength training. And the Zumba is great! Also good to see you taking rest days.

Sorry if I sound ignorant, lol.

So basically I want to do all muscle each time? Not just biceps and back etc. I want to do them all on mon-wed-fri but just do a circuit around the gym a couple times?

dsjohndrow · January 2012

It is a great start. But is sounds like you are using machines, and maybe doing ALL the circuit twice will hit all the muscles. As noted, compound movements are better. Basically you have upper, lower and mid workouts. Nautilus and Cybex machines are meant to be used in succession. 1 trip through is about 15 minutes, and 2 is 30. Add to that a start on the treadmill and a finish on the elliptical, and it's a good workout. I would suggest more machines at 8-12 reps and move through with 30 seconds in between. Isolating muscles is for toning, not so much strength training. And the Zumba is great! Also good to see you taking rest days.

Sorry if I sound ignorant, lol.

So basically I want to do all muscle each time? Not just biceps and back etc. I want to do them all on mon-wed-fri but just do a circuit around the gym a couple times?

No dumb questions. Splitting the body parts up is usually for heavy bodybuilding. So yes, all the muscles each time. For general strength training, you can do them every other day. The circuit is designed to use all your muscles (and groups in some cases). I do a cardio circuit that is a mix of strength and heart rate increasing exercise. I go though all the machines on the circuit knocking out 10 reps, and moving to the next machine in 30 seconds or less. Then I repeat it, sometimes three times depending on time. You'll have lighter weights to keep up the pace. Like you, I start and end with cardio on the treadmill or elliptical.

Mixing in the Zumba, you may find that you don't need as much leg work on your M-W-F routine. It is normal to have sore muscles, and you will need rest days. Listen to your body. Also start slowly. 3 days a week might really be great. I do the S-M-W cardio group (always different exercises to mix it up), and I run or skate 3 days a week, 2 of which I do the circuit. But I have been at this for about a year.

Alexstrasza · January 2012

It is a great start. But is sounds like you are using machines, and maybe doing ALL the circuit twice will hit all the muscles. As noted, compound movements are better. Basically you have upper, lower and mid workouts. Nautilus and Cybex machines are meant to be used in succession. 1 trip through is about 15 minutes, and 2 is 30. Add to that a start on the treadmill and a finish on the elliptical, and it's a good workout. I would suggest more machines at 8-12 reps and move through with 30 seconds in between. Isolating muscles is for toning, not so much strength training. And the Zumba is great! Also good to see you taking rest days.

Sorry if I sound ignorant, lol.

So basically I want to do all muscle each time? Not just biceps and back etc. I want to do them all on mon-wed-fri but just do a circuit around the gym a couple times?

No dumb questions. Splitting the body parts up is usually for heavy bodybuilding. So yes, all the muscles each time. For general strength training, you can do them every other day. The circuit is designed to use all your muscles (and groups in some cases). I do a cardio circuit that is a mix of strength and heart rate increasing exercise. I go though all the machines on the circuit knocking out 10 reps, and moving to the next machine in 30 seconds or less. Then I repeat it, sometimes three times depending on time. You'll have lighter weights to keep up the pace. Like you, I start and end with cardio on the treadmill or elliptical.

Mixing in the Zumba, you may find that you don't need as much leg work on your M-W-F routine. It is normal to have sore muscles, and you will need rest days. Listen to your body. Also start slowly. 3 days a week might really be great. I do the S-M-W cardio group (always different exercises to mix it up), and I run or skate 3 days a week, 2 of which I do the circuit. But I have been at this for about a year.

Thank you for all the information! I honestly need to learn as much as I can not just for myself but for my husband and I's career.

He wants to become a professional fitness trainer and I want to be a nutriontionalist.

Is this a good routine?

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