Butter me up because I’ve been on a roll for the past week and a half now! I may be somewhat of a wimp lately because of my refusal to run outside due to the cold weather, but what I lack in “outside toughness”, I have certainly been making up for inside of the gym.
I have been following a workout regimen in which I complete four concentrated exercises which focus on a specific body part. With each machine or exercise that I do, I complete three sets of 15 repetitions at a weight which provides enough resistance for it to be a challenge. After I’ve completed all of this, then I usually go on to complete at least 30 minutes of cardio (unless I’ve already done it earlier in the day). So, that being said, a typical day will look something like:
Workout ‘A’
[Chest & Triceps]
- Chest Exercise 1- 3 sets, 15 reps each
- Chest Exercise 2- 3 sets, 15 reps each
- Chest Exercise 3- 3 sets, 15 reps each
- Chest Exercise 4- 3 sets, 15 reps each
- Triceps Exercise 1- 3 sets, 15 reps each
- Triceps Exercise 2- 3 sets, 15 reps each
- 30 minutes of Cardio (Bike, Step machine, or Treadmill]
“Form is Everything”
Trust me, this is a GOOD workout if done correctly. Among other things that I have learned from speaking to a personal trainer, form is everything. When it was up to me to do my own workout with the weights, I realized that I had no ideawhat the heck I was doing. I actually had a couple of guys approach me in the gym and instruct me on how to correct my form. Since my boyfriend is a personal trainer, we have since begun going to the gym together and working out, and it has really helped A LOT. It turns out that when you correct your form on various machines, it actually makes things much more difficult! I was surprised to find myself breaking a sweat after lifting some weight.
Lifting Weights Doesn’t Necessarily Make You “Big”
Among other things, I have also come to realize that simply lifting weights doesn’t make you big. It depends on a number of factors such as how your body is genetically built, how often you lift weights as well as how much weight you lift each time. For instance, if you do shorter repetitions of heavier weight, it will have a different effect on your body than if you do increased repetitions at a lower weight. Additionally, it is typically recommended that if you’re going to do any work with weights, you should do it prior to doing any cardio. Because your body is already fatigued and in a catabolic state, when you go to do cardio, you’re ready to burn fat much easier. If you do cardio prior to working with weights, you’re just making your body more tired; therefore, you won’t be able to get the maximum out of your workout. Remember, the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn!
Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.
-Plato