Any Weight training advice for girls?

Hey I could really use some advice, if anyone has any experience in this area.

I normally swim laps and rock climb (indoor and outdoor), but since my abdominal surgery a couple of years ago, I have stopped all strenuous excercise and I only walk and sometimes cycle moderately. Without my former strength and stomach muscles, I don't think it would be wise to launch back into climbing immediately. And although I love swimming laps, the chlorine really wrecks my long blonde locks and eventually a lot of it falls out, so I'm shying away from swimming.

Sigh, so I'm joining the gym up the road , and I have my first session with a trainer on monday. I'm soo excited!!! It seems to be massive...one room has tread mills and rowing machines, another massive room has all the weight training equipment, and another has an awesome range of circuit equipment. And downstairs is the swimming pool (sigh..it makes me wistful) and rooms where they hold aerobics classes.

I would soo be grateful if those of you who go to the gym could share some experiences and enlightne me!!! Do you find it hard to stay interested? Do you weight train or do circuits or both? Do you train in the mornings or evenings?

Any advice is very welcome!!!!

Thankyou!

Hey I could really use some advice, if anyone has any experience in this area.

I normally swim laps and rock climb (indoor and outdoor), but since my abdominal surgery a couple of years ago, I have stopped all strenuous excercise and I only walk and sometimes cycle moderately. Without my former strength and stomach muscles, I don't think it would be wise to launch back into climbing immediately. And although I love swimming laps, the chlorine really wrecks my long blonde locks and eventually a lot of it falls out, so I'm shying away from swimming.

Sigh, so I'm joining the gym up the road , and I have my first session with a trainer on monday. I'm soo excited!!! It seems to be massive...one room has tread mills and rowing machines, another massive room has all the weight training equipment, and another has an awesome range of circuit equipment. And downstairs is the swimming pool (sigh..it makes me wistful) and rooms where they hold aerobics classes.

I would soo be grateful if those of you who go to the gym could share some experiences and enlightne me!!! Do you find it hard to stay interested? Do you weight train or do circuits or both? Do you train in the mornings or evenings?

Any advice is very welcome!!!!

Thankyou!

I can't really give you much useful advice because I train for 'Body Sculpture' and therefore work out a lot more seriously then someone who just trains for fitness would, I also train at home or in a old fashioned 'free weight' gym (no machines).

You trainer will give you a workout based on what you want to achieve and which equiptment you prefer to use, don't be afraid to ask him/her lots of questions and make sure you feel comfortable about using the equiptment.

Motivation is a tough one, there will be days when you feel that you never want to see the gym again :D I always find it easiest to stay motivated if I have a training partner you can help each other stay on track etc.

I can train either evenings or mornings, it doesn't seem to affect me, try both and see which suits you best.

Reference the Chlorine problem have you investigated using a protective (anti-chlorine) serum on your hair when in the pool? My daughter uses one and says it works for her ( I have no idea what it is though, maybe your stylist could advise you) , she also uses a swimming cap when she is going to the pool a lot, she has waist length blonde hair and says it stops it getting tangled etc.

Good luck for Monday :)

Hey Bella I go to the gym nearly every day, but I do a mix of body pump classes wusing weights and a mix of the machines. I don't swim much coz i don't like it and I'm not a good swimmer so no advice there. Motivation is easy to maintain once you start to see results, but Shewolf is right, a training buddy helps. Ask your personal trainer is there anyone else who wants to be paired up. Gyms are really social if thats what you want. I love going coz i know a lot of people to chat to, makes it fun, and in classes you get regulars so its like a meet up which is also moitivating. Good luck have fun.

Thanks Shewolf and freespirit!

About the chlorine/hair thing....I tried a lot of things, and now I'm chicken:) I've always swum with a cap, and I used to put different swimcare type conditioners in my hair too. Its usual for me to lose about half my length of hair after 6 months.....sob!

Thanks for the inspiration...I'm actually looking forward to having an excuse to listen to music regularly again.

Keep up the good work! I must admit that body sculpting and weight classes sound like HARD work; you girls have a lot of motivation!

Hi Bella,

This is my advice I found it worked not only for me but many women.
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For Added Strength, Work Out These Muscle Combos on Different Days:

It's easier to be consistent if you have a workout plan and leave 48 hours in between workouts for muscles to rest. One plan I have found effective, whether using machines or free weights or a combination of both, is the following:

-Back and biceps on Monday. Most back machines work the biceps as well as do free weights for the back. It makes sense, therefore, to do both on the same day.

-Chest and triceps on Tuesday. The same thing applies here.

-Legs on Wednesday. Having the largest muscles in the body, legs need a whole workout devoted just to them.

-Back and biceps again on Thursday.

-Chest and triceps again on Friday.

-Legs again on Saturday.

-Abdominals on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Get healthy~

Important Rule for Strength Training: Safety First

Many fitness beginners, intermediates or even advanced weight lifters don't consider safety first. Some good safety tips to keep in mind when strength-training are:

-Keep knees soft (slightly flexed or bent, not locked).

-Wear a weightlifting belt on waist and wrist straps for heavy lifting.

-Always use a spotter for heavy weights.

-Use a slow, pendulum-type motion when lifting rather than a fast up and down jerky motion. The latter can cause muscle tears.

-Make sure you have a friend or spotter assist you with forced repetitions.

-Wear heavy-duty training shoes for good support on your feet.

Get healthy~

Thanks Anjiana....thats a different training plan to the one the trainer just made up for me, but it sounds very good. The first workout was fun! The only weird thing is they want me fill out a record of everything I do and file it each day, which messes a bit with my sense of casualness. But I suppose its so that a trainer can help me if necessary, so I'll do it their way...maybe :)

Thanks Anjiana....thats a different training plan to the one the trainer just made up for me, but it sounds very good. The first workout was fun! The only weird thing is they want me fill out a record of everything I do and file it each day, which messes a bit with my sense of casualness. But I suppose its so that a trainer can help me if necessary, so I'll do it their way...maybe :)
Your very welcome Bella,

If your trainer is well qualify is ok to follow his routine as long you dont feel that you are overwhelmed with so much exercises. It is supost to make you feel good and energized not otherwise. Let us know how it goes, give it a time and test your trainer and watch your body response.

Big hugs~

Hi Anjiana....I feel sore today...everywhere. I woke up thinking that it makes a lot more sense training the way you described, especially if I go to the gym 4 or more times a week. It will give some muscles a chance to recover properly instead of feeling like my whole body needs a day or two rest.

I think I'm going to try it your way. I'll explain to the trainer why if he asks. Maybe he was inexperienced?

Hi Anjiana....I feel sore today...everywhere. I woke up thinking that it makes a lot more sense training the way you described, especially if I go to the gym 4 or more times a week. It will give some muscles a chance to recover properly instead of feeling like my whole body needs a day or two rest.

I think I'm going to try it your way. I'll explain to the trainer why if he asks. Maybe he was inexperienced?
Hi sweetheart,

Each trainer has a different way to approach fitness.

1-Some personal trainers just want fast results even if your body suffers a great deal of pain in the process.

2-Some goes to the slow process, you don't feel it as hard in your muscles, but you will see the results.

I personally rather take the path number 2, I believe that the saying "No pain no gain" is a myth. We can approach fitness without suffering, for me exercising is about feeling good, inside and out.
__________________________________________________ _____________
Searching for a good personal trainer:

The Job

-Personal trainers guide and motivate clients to reach their peak fitness potential.

-They assess clients' fitness needs of clients and develop plans based on them.

-Personal trainers provide personal training, present classes and instruct on proper nutrition.


The skills

-Personal trainers must have a strong understanding of the functions and vital processes of the human body so they can effectively design and deliver personal nutrition and physical fitness training programs.

-It is critical to be knowledgeable in health promotion at every stage of growth and development to meet the needs of various clients.

-A good personal trainer must be energetic and motivating, always encouraging their clients to reach maximum performance.

Education

-Personal trainers can go through a certification program through various organizations, including the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.

-They are also encouraged to obtain their bachelor's degrees in a fitness-related field, such as exercise science, exercise physiology, sports medicine, physical education, biomechanics or kinesiology.

Get healthy~

Thanks once again Anjiana...you're a total doll!!

Today is my third session...my partner has joined up with me and actually its a lot of fun! Good music....nice atmosphere, getting healthier....what a great way to spend 45 minutes!

I have been loosely following the training program to build up general fitness, but I have added to the orgininal program because some of it was a bit too unchallenging.

Also, I find its best to listen to my own body, enjoy myself, and build up my pace gradually....the trainer wrote down a ten minute sprint excercise as my first warm up activity, which doesn't work for me personally.

Thanks again Anji! You're an assett to ageless.

Thanks once again Anjiana...you're a total doll!!

Today is my third session...my partner has joined up with me and actually its a lot of fun! Good music....nice atmosphere, getting healthier....what a great way to spend 45 minutes!

I have been loosely following the training program to build up general fitness, but I have added to the orgininal program because some of it was a bit too unchallenging.

Also, I find its best to listen to my own body, enjoy myself, and build up my pace gradually....the trainer wrote down a ten minute sprint excercise as my first warm up activity, which doesn't work for me personally.

Thanks again Anji! You're an assett to ageless.
Oh you are welcome and thank you so much for the complements.

I am glad is working out ok so far, and yes is about you feeling good with yourself, so have fun and watch your body getting sexier!

hugs~

Thanks Anji!
Luckily my partner already thinks my body is sexy :)

And both of us appreciate the beauty of large people together with thin people! We feel that beauty and sexiness comes in all sizes.

My motivation in going to the gym is to be stronger and fitter, and to elivate my mood...it is a nice feeling!

Thanks tons for your encourgament Anjiana!

How are your workouts going Bella? Hope they're going good, and you're still keeping with it. The major thing about exercising and going to a gym is to keep with it and keep your motivation up. So far what you're describing is very good, mainly because you go with a partner. Be sure to be there for each other and to kick each other's butts if needed.

What kinds of exercises do you like? There are tons of options out there you may not have tried yet, but that still can yield positive results. The main thing to sticking with an exercise regimen is to find something you like to do. You probably have already heard this before, but from my experience in designing exercise prescriptions, it is the key goal to sticking with it. For example, I don't like to go to a gym to lift weights and run on a treadmill. Instead, I practice Taijiquan (T'ai Chi), Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, and run outside. Good luck on keep us posted!!

Hi cgillette,
Thanks for your reply and for the tips!

Yes its going well, I can't complain at all...its really a lot of fun actually!.