Workout routine

[New_to_sports]

I am 37 yo guy , 170 pounds "77 kgm" , 5.7 feet "174 cms". never worked out regularly in my life.

I've just joined gold's gym and started my own "personally-designed" workout routine. Some friends -who happen to be free weights guys - tell me it's no good , can I have your opinion please?


My ultimate goal is to tone myself , get in shape and look good in a swimming suit . I am NOT AT ALL interested in becoming a body builder or getting massive muscles "no offense to anyone please".

I go to the gym 7 days a week. I get on the treadmill for a 20 minutes very brisk walk. I then go around all gym machines - around 30 machines all in all - and perform 4 sets , each set consists of 40 repetitions. I perform the first set with the 1st weight on the machine , the second set with the second weight , the third with the third , fourth with the fourth. I must stress that I use each and every machine there is. I plan on moving up the machine weights in a few weeks.

I never use free weights "honestly , they intimidate me" . I then go to the treadmill again , do another 20 minutes , and that's it

My whole gym visit would last between 1.5 and 2 hours.


Is this routine any good ? would it achieve my goals?.

Thank you very much

 

[newf]

Machines are not near as effective as free weights. Diet mostly determines if you'll look like a bodybuilder or not, i myself while pretty build am nowhere near what you see in any magazine.

I don't know if machines will work but you will need to increase the weight. High reps with light weight will do very little to build lean body mass, all you'll accompish is muscle endurance, you won't get anymore "toned" so to speak.

Cut you sets down to 8 to 12reps and your sessions to 45 to 60min (weight training). Hit all the major muscle groups 3times a week.

A popular approach is to alternate training and cardio days IE Monday - Train, Tuesday - 45min Cardio

 

[evolution]

I go to the gym 7 days a week. I get on the treadmill for a 20 minutes very brisk walk. I then go around all gym machines - around 30 machines all in all - and perform 4 sets , each set consists of 40 repetitions. I perform the first set with the 1st weight on the machine , the second set with the second weight , the third with the third , fourth with the fourth. I must stress that I use each and every machine there is. I plan on moving up the machine weights in a few weeks.

I never use free weights "honestly , they intimidate me" . I then go to the treadmill again , do another 20 minutes , and that's it

My whole gym visit would last between 1.5 and 2 hours.


Is this routine any good ? would it achieve my goals?.

If your goal was to run a marathon, sure, that's great training. But in your case-no, that's completely the opposite of what you want.

Stop being intimidated and use the free weights. Go for 2-5 sets of 8-12 reps. And get out of the gym after an hour and a half tops.

 

[Bryn]

Free weights are better overall but it's alot more difficult to mantain correct posture and form with free weights. What i'm doing is using machines then gradually changing to free weights as my muscles get stronger and my coordination on the excersises get better.