Need keeping fit advice.

N

nspire

0
Hi,

I'm a 20yr old male weighing a little over 120 pounds. I have a high metabolism so I've always been thin. And I've been active playing sports and biking. But these past 2 years I have been heavily grounded by school and work that I haven't been keeping fit.

I'm finally financially stable and I've decided to drop some hours from work. I was hoping to get active again once Spring/Summer comes along. And I want to get back in shape before that.

I'm not looking to bulk up, or increase my muscles. I just want to build up my strength, endurance, and get back in shape. I have freed up about 1-2 hours a day to get myself back into shape. I was wondering what would be the best routine for me to do?

I'm thinking that I should alternate between weight lifting and cardio. Where I would run/bike and stretch for one day. And next I would do some simple and balanced strength training.

So what I have in mind would probably look like this:

Day1: cardio
Day2: lower body/push exercises/pull exercises/triceps
Day3: cardio
Day4: lower body/push/pull/biceps
...and repeat

I was wondering if that would be a good way to start off? Or would it be too much? And how many sets/reps would be best for that routine? 3/10? 3/8? :confused:

Thanks in advance!
 
I like the structure of your weight routine. Make sure you use free weight compound lifts with no machines, and 3x8 would be a good set/rep scheme for a beginner to learn the proper technique while increasing strength. If you're doing whole body workouts about three times a week then don't take any of the exercises to failure and only choose one movement for each lower body/push/pull etc. each day you train them i.e day 1 - power clean 3x8, push press 3x8, chin up 3x8, close grip bench press 3x8; day 2 - squat 3x8, bench press 3x8, bent over row 3x8, barbell curls 3x8.
 
Thanks for the reply Man of Steel,

Regarding the free weights with no machine. Would using machines be less effective? Or just as effective?

I might want to add some variety into my days with some free weights and machines. So it doesn't seem like I'm lifting dumbbells and barbells every other day.
 
I'd generally avoid machines like the plague. Machines don't use your stabilising muscles and they move your body through an unnatural range of motion that can build up to an injury in the long term. Free weights also have a much better strength carryover to lifting objects in real life. To add variety you can vary your push, pull and lower body exercises every time you go to the gym but you might not progress as quickly as doing a structured routine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top