Really sorry if there's already a thread discussing this issue but the search function either doesn't work or else I am completely incapable of using it!
I joined the gym last week and have been 4 times since. Whilst I feel much better for attending the gym I definitely do NOT know what I'm doing.
I tend to go in and spend 20 minutes on the treadmill, mixing a fast walk with 2 short jogs. Then after that it's pot luck. Today for instance I did the treadmill, then 5 minutes on the rowing machine (1000m) then I did 30 chest presses at 15kg, 5 minutes on the exercise bike (reclined), 24 reps on some leg weight machine that hurts the front of your thighs like hell and finished with 5 minutes on some machine where it's like you're swimming by pushing the handles round. When I reread what I've done I realise it's not a lot and I'm pretty sure I should have done some more cardio today but it seemed to be filled with OAP's who were much speedier at taking the machines that I would have liked lol!
I don't know what I'm achieving by doing these things? Is there a set pattern that I should follow?
Basically I want to shift this last half stone and tone up. My stomach in particular is flabby, which I know when I look at what I'm doing is unlikely to change from these exercises and I'd need to start using some abdominal machine that I've seen other people on but can never get to it before them grrr! I also want to tone my upper arms. These are the two areas that I'm most unhappy with.
Basically, in short, what I'm asking is...
1. Any advice for a newbie at the gym?
2. Is there a pattern that you would follow? Amount of time that I should aim for?
3. Realistically how many calories should I be burning in a 50 minute-1hr session?
4. What machines (you may need to describe them as I have NO idea what they're called) would you recommend to tone tums and upper arms?
5. Any general gym/fitness advice?
Tia!x
I joined the gym last week and have been 4 times since. Whilst I feel much better for attending the gym I definitely do NOT know what I'm doing.
I tend to go in and spend 20 minutes on the treadmill, mixing a fast walk with 2 short jogs. Then after that it's pot luck. Today for instance I did the treadmill, then 5 minutes on the rowing machine (1000m) then I did 30 chest presses at 15kg, 5 minutes on the exercise bike (reclined), 24 reps on some leg weight machine that hurts the front of your thighs like hell and finished with 5 minutes on some machine where it's like you're swimming by pushing the handles round. When I reread what I've done I realise it's not a lot and I'm pretty sure I should have done some more cardio today but it seemed to be filled with OAP's who were much speedier at taking the machines that I would have liked lol!
I don't know what I'm achieving by doing these things? Is there a set pattern that I should follow?
Basically I want to shift this last half stone and tone up. My stomach in particular is flabby, which I know when I look at what I'm doing is unlikely to change from these exercises and I'd need to start using some abdominal machine that I've seen other people on but can never get to it before them grrr! I also want to tone my upper arms. These are the two areas that I'm most unhappy with.
Basically, in short, what I'm asking is...
1. Any advice for a newbie at the gym?
2. Is there a pattern that you would follow? Amount of time that I should aim for?
3. Realistically how many calories should I be burning in a 50 minute-1hr session?
4. What machines (you may need to describe them as I have NO idea what they're called) would you recommend to tone tums and upper arms?
5. Any general gym/fitness advice?
Tia!x