Exercise machine

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

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Joined
6 Jun 2011
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Folks,

Looking at getting at doing around 30 minutes or so of extra exercise a day on an exercise machine of some description. I own a treadmill but I am completely bored of that now so looking to get something different and my asthma can get bad with it if I push too hard.

Would like to lose a small amount of weight but mainly just to tone up a bit. I was thinking about a cross trainer but it would be good to get people's thoughts?

Thanks :)
 
wildest_jjk said:
Folks,

Looking at getting at doing around 30 minutes or so of extra exercise a day on an exercise machine of some description. I own a treadmill but I am completely bored of that now so looking to get something different and my asthma can get bad with it if I push too hard.

Would like to lose a small amount of weight but mainly just to tone up a bit. I was thinking about a cross trainer but it would be good to get people's thoughts?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Split squats off your bed, push-ups using a backpack for addition weight, rows from your dining room table... you will do yourself more favours with those exercises than another cardio machine, because your will actually put your muscles to work.

This will bulk them out and improve your body fat percentage, whilst making you healthier overall. :)
 
mrthingyx said:
Split squats off your bed, push-ups using a backpack for addition weight, rows from your dining room table... you will do yourself more favours with those exercises than another cardio machine, because your will actually put your muscles to work.

This will bulk them out and improve your body fat percentage, whilst making you healthier overall. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice :)

I think the reason I was considering the cross trainer is for ease really, will it not work the muscles then?

Cheers
 
wildest_jjk said:
Thanks for the advice :)

I think the reason I was considering the cross trainer is for ease really, will it not work the muscles then?

Cheers
Click to expand...

You are looking to bu a machine because it will give you a "thing" to focus on like your treadmill.

But it won't actually do anything different (it will use your upper body a bit but it won't do what you are after).

Hence my suggestion of using your body weight to perform proper resistance exercise that will build your muscles, burn off excess calories faster and take less time.

Buy a cross trainer if you want, but it will be a waste of money.
 
Prove you can stick at something by doing body weight exercise for 6 months and I guarantee that if you do, you won't bother with buying a machine in any case once you've seen the results of your training.
 
Thanks for the advice guys.

If I spend 20 - 30 minutes per day do you guys have any sort of routine to follow? Number of exercises etc. One thing I've never been able to do are push-ups :(

Any help will be great!
 
My two pennies:

Work on your press ups - do them on your knees at first if needs be. Try 3 sets to failure with a minute or two between. What mrthingx suggested is good advice. Split squats off the bed (or just body weight squats) and rows under a table. Same rest and to failure. I'd finish with a single set of burpees - as many as you can do in a minute. Should all take around 30 minutes. Working to failure with body weight is quite good when starting off as you'll be making quick gains and not held back by a comfortable rep range, but you also won't be doing too many and going for ages and ages. Do count how many you do on the first set of each exercise and try and use that as a base line for that day, though. And don't kill yourself with too much of a drastic change. Ease into it and there's more chance you'll stick at it. 4 times a week should be plenty for now.
 
Warbie said:
My two pennies:

Work on your press ups - do them on your knees at first if needs be. Try 3 sets to failure with a minute or two between. What mrthingx suggested is good advice. Split squats off the bed (or just body weight squats) and rows under a table. Same rest and to failure. I'd finish with a single set of burpees - as many as you can do in a minute. Should all take around 30 minutes. Working to failure with body weight is quite good when starting off as you'll be making quick gains and not held back by a comfortable rep range, but you also won't be doing too many and going for ages and ages. Do count how many you do on the first set of each exercise and try and use that as a base line for that day, though. And don't kill yourself with too much of a drastic change. Ease into it and there's more chance you'll stick at it. 4 times a week should be plenty for now.
Click to expand...

Crikey - hardcore!

If you can't do a push-up, it looks like we got to you in time: we should probably integrate some core work in there, too. :)

Start with three times a week (or four as suggested, but minimum three) and work to around 4 sets of 10, moving g to 12 as you get better.

Each routine will be broadly the same:

DAY 1
Single leg squat
Deadbugs
Push-up
Plank
Single-leg glute bridge

DAY 2
Single leg squat
Plank
Table inverted row
Side plank
Push-up

Alternate the days (1-2-1-2-1-2) and - as you get better - move to 12 reps and start adding a loaded backpack to proceedings.

Between each set, go for thirty seconds rest. If you can't finish the sets, do as many as you can until failure.

And do cardio on your off days (if you want).

Enjoy! You will hurt like youxnever have before for the first two weeks... :eek:
 
Thanks so much to you both :)

Are there any particular websites that you would recommend to look up these suggested exercises? Or should I just go for a look on youtube? I've no idea what half of them are!!!

Cheers!
 
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