Tips for a fitness novice?

TheScorpion

TheScorpion

0
Apart from cycling everywhere as a means of getting about and also for fun, I've never really done anything that could be classified as fitness.

I have been to the gym twice so far in the past week, and the second time I went I had hurt my shoulder on a punching bag while warming up, so I couldn't use all the machines/benches to the extent I had wished as I knew I'd only make myself worse so I took it easier. Next time I'll just do room length runs back and forth instead of using the punching bag when I don't really know what I'm doing.

Anyway I wanted to ask if for one thing, going once a week is useless. I've had some sleeping pattern problems that I'm ironing out which caused me to sit out a visit to the gym while my mate went alone on a day we'd both planned to go.

Also, should I just keep at it? So far I've only used machines to work mainly chest and arms, also lifting weights in each arm while my mate spots me. I also this time went to work my legs on the machine where you sit with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle and push them forward to lift the weight. I was very careful not to over do it, I just wanted to do something for my legs as my shoulder hurt so much and made arm/chest/shoulder exercises very impractical and even dangerous I feared.

I am 6'1 so obviously tall, and not skinny any more [but not obese, though I do have a bit of a pouch]. I started lifting and felt I could make things a little harder for myself - not to overdo it as I'm not the macho type, but just to see what I was comfy with.

Basically, I just want to know if that was a wasted visit or is not wasted as I know now not to **** my shoulder up before I've even properly started? I do not intend on giving up as I managed to just about improve on trying sit-ups and I will be back there again.
 
you need at least 3 days a week.


Some Training programs:
Starting Strength

New Rules of Lifting

Strong Lifts 5x5 (free ebook, and what I'm using....start with just the bar...ask at he gym about your form or how to do somthing. feel free to vid it so we can check your form)

keep biking everywhere
 
Thanks Johnny, I most certainly will look at these and see what I should be doing. I mentioned in another thread about a regular guy at that gym helping my mate adn I on our first day so that was a godsend as he had plenty of valuable info.

I would like to do at least 3 days as you have advised, however for me it would be an issue to go alone as I may be forced into doing seeing as my friend works difficult hours. I just feel like a fish out of water in such a place alone but I guess I should try and work past that. We're going there tomorrow and I'm also going to get that bike soon. :)
 
At least 3 days a week at the gym is recommended but when you are starting out, it is normal to only go once or twice. Once you get used to it, it will be easier. It is good to bring your mate along but you will get used to going by yourself. Take an mp3 player with you so you have entertainment and will help you get through the workouts. Good luck :)
 
Thanks again Johnny and thank you CypKitty, three days ago was my second time at the gym and today was my third! I made sure I didn't make the mistake of hurting my shoulder again and was able to do a lot of things today while being careful not to overdo it. We were there for about four hours and it was great. Getting slightly better at the sit-ups [though I'm using the bench for that, the one that holds your feet/legs in place].

So glad I went today, actually felt a lot more comfortable being there today than the first couple of days. Was even able to go off and do my own thing without feeling the need to hover around my mate, it was a nice feeling. I'm a little shy especially when not in my element so if I do make friends it could take quite a while, though saying that I do have sparks of confidence every now and then in life so we'll see.

Going again tomorrow, think I'm gonna do running, spinning and some leg machines as we talked about doing some today but I didn't want to do too much in one day in case it did me more harm than good. Looking forward to being there more.
 
Podcasts will change your workout for the better

I think almost all of us can agree that your running music is crucial to an effective and enjoyable workout. I hate to be seen as pimping some product but its free so who cares: Motion Traxx is hands down the best thing to happen to my run since shoes. It’s a podcast, look for it on iTunes, which has high BPM (beats per minute) electronic music. Personally I never listen to this kind of music normally, but when im on a run it motivates me like no other, I feel like im in a movie or something and always find myself going way harder and longer then normal. It’s incredibly fulfilling.
 
Podcasts are the way to go in terms of running music. Free, specific attention to BPM (beats per minute), and you don’t have to change songs. I have been using “Motion Traxx” (search for it on iTunes) and I couldn’t be happier. I’m sure there are a lot of great running podcast out there if you look, but I totally recommend Motion Traxx if you want some energizing tunes.
 
AlmostaRunner said:
Podcasts are the way to go in terms of running music. Free, specific attention to BPM (beats per minute), and you don’t have to change songs. I have been using “Motion Traxx” (search for it on iTunes) and I couldn’t be happier. I’m sure there are a lot of great running podcast out there if you look, but I totally recommend Motion Traxx if you want some energizing tunes.
Click to expand...


Hey, thanks

I listing to techno for running (when I used to run) and weight training, and just all the time. I’ll give your recommendation a try. I listen to Mike Charles from iTunes
 
Thanks CypKitty and AlmostaRunner. One of the reasons I don't take a player with me is because I imagine I'd have to keep puting the earphones in as they'd probably keep falling out. Would earphones that go over the top of your head like a band be better?
 
Thanks Johnny, will see about trying those and then the next step is possibly to get a new player as my current one displayed a virus the last time I connected it to my PC. Why oh why do we have so much tech bull**** to deal with these days? We never had to worry about viruses with walkmans...'walkmen'?

What is the plural for walkman anyway...
 
TheScorpion said:
Thanks Johnny, will see about trying those and then the next step is possibly to get a new player as my current one displayed a virus the last time I connected it to my PC. Why oh why do we have so much tech bull**** to deal with these days? We never had to worry about viruses with walkmans...'walkmen'?

What is the plural for walkman anyway...
Click to expand...

"go help gandpa with his MP3 sonny." you'er not that old yet..lol
 
Lol well just back from gym today, worked mainly legs and was on the weight bench for three sets of 12. Legs are exhausted! BTW I like your Captain America avatar, Johnny!
 
I agree about Johnny's avatar...Cpt America is a BADASS

As for your comment about no viruses on the walkman, true, but if you played the tape enough it stretched and sounded horrible :)

Good luck your training and picking a new MP3 player. I would suggest headphones like Johnny said or something similar. When I go running the most annoying thing is trying to keep the ear buds in my ear and not slipping out from the sweat or the bounce from running.
 
I depend on good stimulating music to keep me going. There's a site with great free podcast downloads and you can listen to them before you grab it. Way cool. getapodcast.com and search for Motion Traxx although there are lots of others.
Good running!
 
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