I've done it!

[Schoska]

I've joined a gym!!!!
I feel really motivated, but was wondering what I should be doing and for how long.
Would a 2hr session split between swimming, cycling and running be a good idea?
I'm def. going 3 times a week, and more when I can fit it in.

[qetta]

Yay you!

But 2 hours 3 times per week might be a bit much to start out with (unless you've been exercising quite regularly without the gym up to this point). Plus - that's a lot of cardio. You might benefit from balancing it with some weight-bearing exercises.

But either way - have fun and good for you!

[Schoska]

ahh ok. I will take it slowly and build up then!!
I just feel sooooo enthusiastic! I'm normally exhausted by the end of the day but after doing 45 mins in my lunch break, I am still wide awake. wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

[Seadolphin]

yay! :) I was as excited as you are when I joined a gym. Have fun! But I agree that 2 hours of cardio maybe a lot to start out with. You don't want to exhaust yourself to the point that you'll stop going! Adding weights is a good idea too as you burn calories even afterr you're done while you're muscles rebuild (or whatever the term is!)

[zoebird]

if you're interested in triathlon-style training, i recommend the site trinewbies.com. there, they have a training log for someone who hasn't ever worked out and is interested in starting training for a triathlon. the first goal is a 'spring tri' and they give you a reasonable time to train for it. all three forms of exercise are some form of weight bearing as well as cardio vascular, so that's good. Swimming is great for upper-body weight bearing exercise.

if you're interested in a well-rounded program, i recommend functional weight training 2 x per week, 30 minutes of cardio following, and then some form of cardio on the other 4 days of the week. On the weight training days, cardio should be 'easier' and then on the others, interval training is an excellent way to get lean and gain cardiovascular fitness. swimming is a great form of interval training, but you can also do interval training running and biking. So, i think i would so 2 days of running/biking and two days of swimming.

Each cardio day could be 30-45 minutes of cardio. the weight training days would be hour-long work outs. Then, you also have a day off. It's really lots of fun. :)

i like to do triathlon style training, though as you get more into it, the more you have to do--such as two hours or more a day--but that's just to race. if you don't race, you can do whatever. :) i never raced, and i love the training. :)

[qetta]

Schoska - Your enthusiasm for your new gym membership inspired me to actually go to my gym last night (it's been awhile). Thanks!!

[zoebird]

excuse me, it should read "sprint tri" rather than "spring tri." a sprint tri is a shorter distance, and gets your feet wet on the process of racing (if you want to race). it' snever a requirement to race, even if you use the training. i just enjoyed the training. :)

[Schoska]

hehe thanks guys.
I did 60 mins today.
I am trying to work out which machines I'm comfy on as well as what I think I need so it might take a while for me to have a set routine, but I feel goooood!
:hamster:

[zoebird]

that's great! :)