40-60 minutes per day at the gym

Original post by RawJoh1

Don't think there's any danger of the overtraining boogeyman if she's just doing, let's be honest, a MINIMAL amount of steady state cardio and fannying around on the resistance machines for a bit.

OP - your routine's crap and probably is boring to do as well. Up the intensity, lift free weights (you won't turn into a female incredible hulk unless you take steroids). You'll make faster progress in your weight-loss goals.

My routine isnt boring actually, I rather enjoy it. Yes the cardio is fairly minimal but I can't stay in the gym longer than an hour a day - I've got kids to look after.

Can you (or anybody else who has suggested it) please tell me why free weights is better than weight machines? What's the difference? Other than, as somebody has said, they mimic real life movements. Apart from that, in terms of weight loss, what practical use are they? I don't understand why it would make a difference.

Reply 22

Ricky116

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

yes I do realise that. I have a balanced diet.

Good, I hate to see people killing themselves in the gym not realising that they really don't need to be to achieve the same results. And most of the time because it's crazy hard work, they don't get far!

Good luck :smile:

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

Can you (or anybody else who has suggested it) please tell me why free weights is better than weight machines? What's the difference? Other than, as somebody has said, they mimic real life movements. Apart from that, in terms of weight loss, what practical use are they? I don't understand why it would make a difference.

Theres 2 reasons that immediately spring to mind.

Free weights utilise the stabiliser muscles that support the main muscle being worked, which aren't utilised when using machines because the machine stabilise it for you. You'll see people moving from machines to free weights and shaking like a leaf not able to hold it steady.
Free weights are generally harder because of this, and the fact that the weight is solely supported by you instead of you and the machine. Again, you'll see people lifting crazy amounts of weight on a machine that they couldn't possibly do without the "support" of the machine.

But don't take my word for it: (note I spent about 10 seconds reading this, first on google) "Research has shown us that free weights promote quicker strength gains and they require more balance and coordination than do the weight machines. Free weights recruit more muscle groups than variable resistance machines, which tend to only isolate specific muscles." - http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/strengthening/a/aa050702a.htm

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 23

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

Ugh, where do I start free weights are

1. Harder
2. Incorporate stabilisation technique
3. Are less prone to injury
4. Promote natural movement
5. machines provide a false sense of strength gain
6. improve balance

Free weights are so superior to machines its comical

Reply 24

Original post by Ricky116

Well my husband and I underwent a lifestyle change about 2 months ago in terms of our diet. We realised we really were eating quite dreadfully. It's much better now. Smaller portions, lots of fruit and veg, we entirely cut out fizzy pop from our lives, you get the idea.
I mean, we have the odd treat, but it's an ODD treat as opposed to daily treats! If you see what I mean.

So yeh, my food regime is reasonably on track.

I lost 10lbs alone by changing my eating habits, but I more or less hit a plateau after that, and combined with my husband being advised to do exercising to lose as much weight as possible before having an operation in May, well we bit the bullet and joined the gym.

Reply 25

Original post by Ricky116

this is one of the most retarded posts I have seen on here

Reply 26

Original post by Bishamon

fair enough. I wouldn't really know what to do with free weights though - what moves do you do other than just going up and down like this :

(I'm a weight novice, I know it might sound like a stupid question)

Reply 27

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

fair enough. I wouldn't really know what to do with free weights though - what moves do you do other than just going up and down like this :

(I'm a weight novice, I know it might sound like a stupid question)

try a workout called "starting strength". Most things a novice needs to learn about basic weight training can found within

Reply 28

Ricky116

Original post by Bishamon

this is one of the most retarded posts I have seen on here

Why so?

Reply 29

thank you everyone for your advice.

I shall definitely look into free weights, and think about taking rest days (though I kinda feel like I'm slacking just by thinking about it lol).

Cheers everyone.

Reply 30

Original post by Ricky116

Why so?

Anyone can lose weight without exercising. However exercising and losing weight is monumentally superior. If you take two females. One who has lost weight and lifted and one who has simply starved herself, the former will always look better. I credit those who exert themselves with physical activity, no matter their shape. At least they are actively trying to better themselves.

Reply 31

Huskaris

I don't bother with a gym membership, I have a really good dumbell set and then I can go for a run. Amazingly people managed to keep fit before gyms with these crazy things called parks, where you can run around, or even streets. Crazy I know but it might just work...

Reply 32

Original post by Huskaris

I know I'd not do any exercising if I don't have a physical dedicated exercising place to go to. Going for a run - not a chance. I can't run haha. Even going for a walk, I'd end up procrastinating and putting off and thinking "well it's too cold right now, I'll go tomorrow".

Besides, I'm signed up for a year now. Too late to back out haha.

Reply 33

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

I said earlier in the thread - I'm not really interested in turning into a female hulk hogan. I have about 2 and a half stone to lose, and I'd rather be firm than flabby, but I don't want to be muscly, I don't think bulging muscles on a female are particularly attractive.

I wasn't suggesting become a female hulk hogan... However, everyone has some muscle mass base... It's no use just looking to lose fat, and doing tons and tons of cardio. Yes, you'll lose fat, granted, you will. But you'll lose most of your base muscle mass, and end up significantly underweight, but still frumpy. Why do all girls think that keeping a muscle mass base, makes them look like hulk hogan? Ludicrous.

Reply 34

By the way. You should really listen to Bish. He da man!

Original post by Bishamon

Reply 35

Original post by uktotalgamer

I was responding to you asking what my goals are.
so I said what I would like to achieve, and what I would NOT like to achieve.

Reply 36

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

I was responding to you asking what my goals are.
so I said what I would like to achieve, and what I would NOT like to achieve.

And to achieve that, for the most beneficial results, use free weights. 3 days Cardio, 2 days weights. Never do both on the same day. Eat about 1500 calories. Get plenty of sleep. When using the free weights, do things like Squats, Deadlifts, Bench pressing, Military presses, Bent over rows. All the compound stuff. Then work in some ab stuff from time to time.

Reply 37

Original post by uktotalgamer

Get plenty of sleep.

Does 5 hours a night, in bits, count as plenty of sleep? haha

I have a teething almost-15-month-old son, who co-sleeps for most of the night. So I get kicked, and screamed at a lot.

Reply 38