What do you do at the gym?

[Sarah]

I try to do classes.

Last week I did a body conditioning class and a spinning class.

Tonight I am heading to Body Pump and then again body conditioning on wednesday. I'll try and fit a spinning class in at the weekend too.

In between this I have a gym routine that I do myself which involves cardio and weight training along with some sit-ups.

SL xxx

[Diddlum]

I don't go very often these days after having a baby nearly a year ago, but am desperately trying to get back into it regularly again!

I don't do any classes, just because there aren't any decent ones at our local leisure centres. I don't use a nice, private gym cos there aren't any round here in the back of beyond! :roll:

I went to the gym on Sunday and did 10 mins on the rower to warm up, then some weights, the 10 mins on the cross trainer and 25 mins on the treadmill. I want to get into running again but I'm just building it up on the treadmill at the moment - sort of walk a minute, jog 2 minutes and repeat that for 20-30 mins.

I would LOVE to do Body Pump - have heard so much good stuff about it and I know I'd love it, but again, there aren't any classes round here.

[Lee Lee]

Sounds like you are on a roll with the gym, well done !!

I try to do exercise four times a week, more if i have time, less if i am tired.

I do one day Body Pump, one day Spin, One day Body Step and I try and go running one day - either outside if nice or on the treadmill if freezing or raining - which is more often than not at the moment.

Its a pretty good mix of cardio and toning and for someone who needs to be motivated works well !

[ChelseaHarvey]

I just go to the gym, i dont do classes said about doing spinning but its hard work i have done some with my personal trainer, not sure i could handle a whole 45 mins

I just go on the runner, do weights some ball work and this week have been doing 300 + situps!! Not today though, havent been at all i def need to go in the morning or mid morning, rather than in the evening as i just cant get motivated, its 8.30 now and theres no chance im going to get my backside down there now no il regret it later one when i go to bed though as i have been everyday this week and am there at 10a tomorrow!!!! I wanted to go 5 x this week and have the wkend off

[Diddlum]

chelseaharvey, what do you do with Alfie when yout go to the gym? I'm really struggling to get back into it cos I've got Niamh all the time!

[Diddlum]

chelseaharvey, what do you do with Alfie when yout go to the gym? I'm really struggling to get back into it cos I've got Niamh all the time!

Just saw your answer to this on the other thread! No, there's no creche at my gym. It's only the local leisure centre and a bit crap anyway tbh. Although they will be doing it all up and virtually rebuilding it, but god knows when that will be. :roll: Maybe they'll have a creche then. :)

[Inks]

I don't get to do any classes as I have a 2 yr old and rely on my Mum to look after him while I go to the gym, which is about 2 times per week.

I do 10 mins on treadmill, 15 mins on cross trainer, 10 mins on exercise bike and if I'm feeling energetic 5 mins on the rower - this really wears me out! Then 5 x 12 sit ups, 3 x 12 reps of 30 kg on the leg abductors (both inner & outer thigh) then another 10 mins on the treadmill. Then stretching exercises.

In all, I don't think this is enough cardio to actually burn fat. I've been going twice a week since last Sep and whilst I feel fitter and healthier, I'm not any thinner or weigh any less (although I may well be a bit more toned).

I suppose I need to do more cardio and go at least 3 times a week to make any difference? Can any experts out there advise?

TIA
Inks

[Diddlum]

II do 10 mins on treadmill, 15 mins on cross trainer, 10 mins on exercise bike and if I'm feeling energetic 5 mins on the rower - this really wears me out! Then 5 x 12 sit ups, 3 x 12 reps of 30 kg on the leg abductors (both inner & outer thigh) then another 10 mins on the treadmill. Then stretching exercises.

In all, I don't think this is enough cardio to actually burn fat. I've been going twice a week since last Sep and whilst I feel fitter and healthier, I'm not any thinner or weigh any less (although I may well be a bit more toned).

I suppose I need to do more cardio and go at least 3 times a week to make any difference? Can any experts out there advise?

TIA
Inks

I think it depends on how active the rest of your life is, and what you're trying to achieve really. If you're just after losing weight, then if you can get some long walks done as well as those gym sessions, as well as keeping to a healthy diet you should start to lose weight.

It would be ideal though if you could cram another gym session in as well, and if you can, maybe spend a bit more time on the weights ie half cardio, half weights each session, and incorporate some weights for your upper body as well as a few more on your lower body.

And don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat so you could've gained muscle but lost fat hence you may not have lost weight. And, the reason I suggest doing more weights is that muscle burns more calories than fat even when you're doing nothing, so the more muscle you have in your body the more calories you will be burning, whatever you're doing!

Sorry if you know all that already. Didn't mean it to turn into a lecture!!

[Inks]

Diddlum thanks for that - your advice sounds fab. I'm not a gym bunny and feel quite 'in the dark' where fitness is concerned. It's great to have someone's opinion - thanks. I sometimes want to ask the gym imstructors but I think I'd feel silly!

Re doing more weights, do you think I should add more weight - ie more than 30kg on the leg abductors or do more reps. TBH I can do 3 x 12 reps of 30kg quite easily and only struggle with the last few.

Also with regards to the upper body weights, I know I should do these and I was shown how to use the machine, but (and this is going to sound really stupid) the weight machine is near the free weight section where all the men hang out and I'm too self concious to go near them!!!

[Diddlum]

No, I can understand what you're saying about the free weights section! I'm always a bit self conscious about going in that bit too. To be honest though, most of them don't give a damn and if you can brave it once you'll do it again....

With the leg abductors, I think that's a decent weight your using (I only had it on 25 today but have only just started back at the gym) but of course everyone's different. If you're only struggling with the last few though, try upping the weights and if it's too much just leave it a couple more weeks before you do. You could do 2 sets at 30kg and then the last set at 35kg.

[Inks]

Thanks Diddlum for your advice :) :)

[smartiecat]

Hi,

I try to go to the gym 3-4 times a week at the moment (no kids so is a bit easier for me). Was doing body pump a couple of times a week until recently when I got bored of it. Currently really into body combat which I do 1-3 times a week. Also trying to get back into doing body balance once a week as since stopping a couple of months ago i can feel a real difference in my flexibility!

When I use the gym I do 10 mins on the bike, 15 mins on the treadmill (5 walking/10 running) and 20 mins on the cross-trainer. I then do some weights for my arms and a few stomach crunches.

Didn't make it to combat today though due to a hangover and now on a pig out with crisps and ice cream

S x

[Diddlum]

smartiecat - I'm so jealous of you doing BP. I've ALWAYS wanted to try this but I live in the back of beyond and there's nowhere round here that does it.

[smartiecat]

smartiecat - I'm so jealous of you doing BP. I've ALWAYS wanted to try this but I live in the back of beyond and there's nowhere round here that does it.

sorry Diddlum I feel bad now for getting bored of it!