Just joined the Gym

[jasonfieber]

Congrats on joining a gym. Keeping in shape has been a major part of my life, and I think it enriches all other aspects of my day to day routines.

[marty22]

I work out twice a week; usually with a trainer. I do aerobics too and lotsa walking when the weather is good. However; I gained some weight over the past few years (which I shouldn't have). I guess I'm retired from my cutesy, skinny look from the 70;s.  HA HA

[JohnMont]

Another thing you can do is push-ups... probably one of the best upper body conditioning exercises you can do.  Not only do they strengthen your chest and arms, you also work on your back and abs.  Do a web search on them... many different variations to keep them interesting!

Also, as everyone knows, everyone and their brother does studies on exercise... I'm looking for a specific one... basically from what I remember about it, it states that men should do no more than 30 minutes of cardio a day.  More than that will decrease muscle mass... so cut back to 30 minutes of cardio with weight training/calestenics (sp) to lean and tone up faster (as Marz said).

Recently heard somethiing similar to this.  Almost mde it seem like kyou would evenually have no more muscles at all if yu did too much cardio (i'm exagerating; but only a little).    But on a more helpful note; I've heard it recommended that the best cardio routine for fat reduction is  interval training;      so; just another two cents worth

[Chico D]

I try and hit the gym 4 to 5 times a week, and I only do weightraining....I've atually heard that weighttraing with moderate to heavy weight speeds up your metabolism and boosts testosterone production, especailly squats and bench press

[D.A.L.U.I.]

John:  That cr_p about cardio is a myth.  Cardio, if done enough, is your best bet to reduce fat, unless you're willing to do the diet the body builders do to reduce body fat and water to nearly or actually unhealthy levels.  Remember, muscle weighs more than fat when considered by volume, so if you lose overall 3 to 4 cubic inches of fat and gain 1 cubic inch of muscle your measured dimensions, waist, etc. will get smaller to the extent they had fat, and you could stay the same weight.  You could have the six pack, and it could be hidden by fat just under the skin.  Provided you get a good pump from the weights, and you're consistent in the gym, you'll get bigger muscles, but they'll be the muscles your genes provide for--that can't be changed.  Muscles will have a bigger appearance if your genes provided for small joints and big "bellied" biceps, tris, pecs and quads.  Example, look at the football, American, receivers, long lanky calves, no matter what they do, but they have speed.  Linemen, on the other hand, have quads like trees and calves like hams and tremendous off the line strength.  It's the genes.

[Razor X]

John:  That cr_p about cardio is a myth.  Cardio, if done enough, is your best bet to reduce fat, unless you're willing to do the diet the body builders do to reduce body fat and water to nearly or actually unhealthy levels.  Remember, muscle weighs more than fat when considered by volume, so if you lose overall 3 to 4 cubic inches of fat and gain 1 cubic inch of muscle your measured dimensions, waist, etc. will get smaller to the extent they had fat, and you could stay the same weight.  You could have the six pack, and it could be hidden by fat just under the skin.  Provided you get a good pump from the weights, and you're consistent in the gym, you'll get bigger muscles, but they'll be the muscles your genes provide for--that can't be changed.  Muscles will have a bigger appearance if your genes provided for small joints and big "bellied" biceps, tris, pecs and quads.  Example, look at the football, American, receivers, long lanky calves, no matter what they do, but they have speed.  Linemen, on the other hand, have quads like trees and calves like hams and tremendous off the line strength.  It's the genes.

This makes a lot of sense.  A combination of weight training and cardio is the way to go -- what percentage should be done of each varies from individual to individual.  Someone who doesn't have a lot of body fat will start burning muscle from overdoing cardio sooner than someone who does have a lot of body fat.

[Koaa2]

Since I retired, going to the gym 6 days a week has become part of my life, I have met new people there and love going. You have to be careful as some people love to talk and forget about why they are there. Lots of sly guys there to.