what's the best excercise
My husband and i are goint o try going to the gym together. But i have NO IDEA what to do there....HELP!!!
Best cardio? Running in my opinion! Pick up the September Women's health, it'll give you a lot of information when it comes to starting out.
Me and my hubby have recently started going to the gym together after gaining about 30 pounds each after being married for almost 2 years. We decided it was time to do something about it and we're there everyday for 2 hours. I use the eliptical for 15-20 minutes, then I use the crossramp machine for about 15-25 minutes and then i do the trendmill for another 10-25 minutes depending on how long I can last, for me moving machines is best i get really bored staying on one machine for too long. Usually it adds up to one hour of cardio and then I use the weight machines working on my arms, legs and stomach.
Whatever you are most comfortable with is best for you because everyone is different and prefer different workouts. Hope this helps!
The key is to avoid long, boring cardio sessions. That is, if you're trying to lose weight. You should try interval training:
1. Pick a cardio machine (doesn't matter which one-- choose something that's comfortable for you)
2. Warm up slowly to about a level 5 (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is climbing Mt. Everest, and 1 is climbing out of bed) and mantain that for 2 minutes.
3. Switch it up to a level 7 for two minutes. Than back to a level 5.
4. Repeat this for about 20-22 minutes, then cool down at a level 4 for 2 minutes.
This kind of training really shocks your system and allows you to make gains in your fitness very quickly, and at the same time burn enormous amounts of fat in a very small amount of time.
The key is to focus and make it intense. I always repeat to myself "make it worth it". Make getting off the machine seem as nice as crawling in to bed because your workout was so intense!
Also be sure to switch up machines every so often. Not only will this help you get into shape in multiple ways, you'll avoid repeated-impact injuries, such as shin splints. (not to mention it keeps your workout exciting and new!)
Hope this helps! :)
Go for strength training coupled with cardio on strength off-days really. Unless you want to lose your muscle as well and end up with less that you had initially, which allows for less eating and contributes to yo-yo dieting that is...
No really, STRENGTH training is_the_way. If you don't give a reason to your body to keep your muscles, it won't. Simple as that.
Oh and don't worry about being buff. Women have a really HARD time getting muscular when they're dieting, supplementing and training for it. Imagine now if you're neither dieting nor supplementing for it... All you'll do is add a few pounds of muscle and lose tons of fat.
I love the variety.. Lovely1310 and carriedarrington said it.. mix it up... I do 10 mins on this machine, 20 on that... even 5 mins on an incline treadmill... keeps it interesting and I find it way easier with shorter goals...
Otherwise I could have just bought one piece of equipment and kept it at home...
Also weight/strength training is absolutely the way to go.. break from boring cardio and makes you feel and look awesome... aboslutely true that you wont bulk up.
ask your gym usually they will give you a free session with a personal trainer when you join and they whip up a short program to get you started...
My 2 cents worth: find an activity or sport that you both enjoy and it will be easy to keep up and a bonding opportunity. I go to gym, but it doesn't really teach you anything, it is not mentally stimulating, and is, to me, a repetative, solitary activity. My bf and I will probably start kayaking this summer, and he seems keen to do kickboxing with me as well. I just think these sort of things are more couple friendly, but each to their own.
My fiance and I are hooked on squash. It's one of the highest calorie burning activities you can do, and it's easy to start off playing well. The only equipment you need are racquets and balls, which you can get for about £15/$20 each and balls are cheap. We play for an hour 2 or 3 times a week, and I burn around 500 cal, while he burns around 800 (he's around 260lb)! Plus it's really fun and the time flies by. We also get a bit competitive (which might spice up the marriage outside the gym as well!). Before or after, we'll also go up and lift weights separately to do weight training. If there's no squash courts near you, racquet sports are all quite similar like racquetball, as far as calories burned go. Good luck!
"what's the best excercise?"
The one you'll stick with.
My husband and I like to separate for cardio and then come back together to do strength training. I like to do aerobics classes. If you're going to a gym, I would HIGHLY recommend classes like kickboxing or zumba. They are fun and I sweat like crazy! My husband usually just runs, but I get bored with that. :) Then when we come back together we use free weights to work arms, do a variety of crunches to work abs, and do things like squats to work legs. Good luck!
