[dunks517]

I recommend that you wear sweat bands to mop up that perspiration whilst on the machines and also a pair of stained grey pants that you've worn all week, not forgetting a chewing gum white 'wife beater' Black 'sneakers' with brown socks will top off the ensemble.

[mjn]

I go to a kick boxing gym, so bare foot for me!

Other than that, Under Armour, t-shirt, compression pants, and KB bottoms.

[mjn]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Lastly, the fittest people I know are boxers or rowers..

Yep, we're a fit bunch

[Gliese 581c]

Heavyweight boxers are classed as the fittest people you know ? I really hope your not my 1-1 trainer on Sunday then.

[mjn]

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

Heavyweight boxers are classed as the fittest people you know ? I really hope your not my 1-1 trainer on Sunday then.

The fittest person i know is a -69kg fighter. and i'm Light Heavyweight, thank you very much

[mrapbp]

As other have said just get the right trainers for what you are doing, doesnt matter much for weights but you will need the right trainer for running other wise you may suffer.

As for the rest of your kit who cares! Personally I go with one of those all in one lycra numbers like big daddy used to wear! And damn sweet I look as well!!

[Steven]

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

Heavyweight boxers are classed as the fittest people you know ? I really hope your not my 1-1 trainer on Sunday then.

I only said boxers. I don't know any heavyweights I know one guy who's a lean 10 stone, can do decent weights and run forever on the machine

And the rowing team don't just have stamina going for them, but dedication. Someone in my class actually gets up at 5am, rows part of the course and then cycles the rest of the way in...

[TameRacingDriver]

Originally Posted by Kieron

No, easier when you have some weight behind you. Turn it into muscle Dave! Honestly, 4 weeks of going 3 times a week for an hour and you won't recognise yourself.

Not realistic for everyone I am afraid.

I am not hugely overweight (about 9 lbs), but I've been going 5 times a week for an hour a day, I eat well (more about that later), and yet I have not noticed a huge difference in actual appearance in the the first 8 months i've been doing it. There has been quite a big difference in actual fitness though. Ultimately, how quickly you change will be as much down to genetics as actual work in the gym. I'm sure I could look a lot better, but not without spending 2 or 3 hours a day in the gym every day, and I just dont have the time or inclination.

To be honest, as long as I am not fat and unfit I dont really care as I recognise the health benefits regardless, and I just imagine that I would look rather fat if I didnt do anything, pretty much just as I was before I started my exercise regime!

I did have one of those inbody things though once and that confirmed what I've always suspected about me - I do actually have a slow metabolism - my maintenance calories is actually less than 2000 despite me being a 29 year old, 5'11", 76 kg male! I have to admit that although I eat well, because of my slow metabolism, I doubt I will really be able to eat the right amount to ever look particularly toned, as it would require a level of will power and personal sacrifices (i.e. no booze ever again) that I am just not able to muster.

[dan1979]

Originally Posted by Kieron

No, easier when you have some weight behind you. Turn it into muscle Dave!

That would imply it's somehow possible to turn fat into muscle, which it isn't.

[Gliese 581c]

Originally Posted by dan1979

That would imply it's somehow possible to turn fat into muscle, which it isn't.

Lets keep this light hearted, I'm sure everyone knows this is impossible to do, its a common phrase thats used, thats all.

[Gliese 581c]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

I only said boxers. I don't know any heavyweights I know one guy who's a lean 10 stone, can do decent weights and run forever on the machine

And the rowing team don't just have stamina going for them, but dedication. Someone in my class actually gets up at 5am, rows part of the course and then cycles the rest of the way in...

I was just pulling your leg.

[mooperman]

just to add my tuppence worth, if you decide to head down the supplements route head over to myprotein.co.uk ive always struggled with weight gain and have been getting some great gains from hurricane XS in the last few months...

the biggest single change you can make though over supplements and what trainers you wear is your diet, cant emphasize this enough, diet in order, gym 3 times a week and you'll never feel better....

most of all....enjoy!!

[Gliese 581c]

Well, just a little update from me, I've been going for around 3 weeks now, I have had all my tests done and got my gym program to complete everytime I goto the gym. I'm going around 3/4 times a week and even now I can see the benefits.

I find, especially on a work night when i goto the gym its quite tough to sleep at night - at first it was torture, I would be lying awake at 2.30am and would be getting up at 6.30am, work the next day would be hard. I think my body is getting used to it now, I am getting to sleep around 12 which is pretty decent, and I realise sleep is important after working out but I'm getting there slowly but surely.

At first I would have a bad attack of the munchies after the gym too, I normally settle my stomach with protiens, maybe a little cheese, chicken, egg, tomatoe's or a very light salad, things like that, they seem to work well for me.

Hand on heart, I have not had 1 can of fizzy juice (although I always drank diet) and I used to drink about 6-8 cans a day ! I have also completely came off coffee and have not had anything since I joined, so doing well on those fronts. Now I drink around 2l of water a day, sometimes more, and I drink the volvic touch of fruit sugar free water. I just cant drink plain water unless I'm working out.

Again, the results are subtle but very encouraging. I am doing a lot of CV and weights, and I'm now doing my weights part of my program very easily so I may run it past my trainer to see if I should either do more, or move up a weight. The CV program always nackers me out but thats what its supposed to do I suppose

I'm loving it to be honest, it really does make you feel completely different when you eat right and work out.

[wormvortex]

Just don't go wearing skate shoes. I did once, not the best for working out in

[jenic]

First few months seem the best imo, really did see an increase in muscle size very quickly.

First time i went, i was so knackered that i couldn't lift my arm to shower without pain, its a good feeling when you get past that stage, after my 3rd session i think so you should be over it by now.

As for sleep, i could sleep as soon as i get in the door tbh, but i only really do weights but wouldn't mind starting some cv. Going to try and cycle more (hence my bike purchase in another thread) since cv at the gym is boring as.

[Gliese 581c]

Originally Posted by jenic

First few months seem the best imo, really did see an increase in muscle size very quickly.

First time i went, i was so knackered that i couldn't lift my arm to shower without pain, its a good feeling when you get past that stage, after my 3rd session i think so you should be over it by now.

As for sleep, i could sleep as soon as i get in the door tbh, but i only really do weights but wouldn't mind starting some cv. Going to try and cycle more (hence my bike purchase in another thread) since cv at the gym is boring as.

I hear you.

Im my gym, there is sky tv with sports and music channels, so I just pop the headphones in and watch whatever is on, or listen to the music channels, you have your own little tv bolted onto each machine too which is pretty good.

[AgentCool]

Originally Posted by jenic

Going to try and cycle more (hence my bike purchase in another thread) since cv at the gym is boring as.

You've got that right and it's one of the reasons I don't go to the gym anymore (the other being that my current job is quite physical with lots of heavy lifting and walking about). To me, there's nothing worse than being sat on a cycling machine wondering why the hell you're not outside or running on the spot on a treadmill thinking about what else you could be doing instead.

I find exercise much less arduous when you're doing something that takes your mind off the fact you're exercising. If you can get somebody to go with you it's better to just go and play tennis, badminton or squash. Lots of moving about and none of that running on the spot, looking at yourself sweating in the mirror business.

[TameRacingDriver]

I find the best way to make CV less boring at the gym is to actually work hard and dont do the same thing all of the time.

I see many people who simply just go on the cross trainer for 30 minutes and then go at a steady pace and barely even break a sweat. Whats the point?

At the longest, my CV sessions last 50 minutes, usually less (40), and I work as hard as possible. I'll often do something like the following:-

8 minutes on the bike on the interval hill setting or personal trainer aerobics settings
8 minutes on the summit trainer, interval hill setting
8 minutes on the tread mill, running as hard as I can for that time
8 minutes on the rowing machine, rowing as hard as I can for that time (approx 2000m)
8 minutes on the cross trainer, aerobics program

If you work hard enough you wont have time to be bored, trust me. If you finish and your not trembling and feeling high from it you havent tried hard enough!

Including myself, out of all of the people I see doing CV, I would say a relatively small proportion of the gym goers at our gym simply dont work hard enough to make themselves any fitter. They are locked in that "must go at a pathetically low 65% heart rate to lose fat". Fair enough that will help lose some fat, but it is extremely boring, and it wont make you as fit or lose as much fat, or put on as much muscle than if you really work hard. In those cases you may as well just go for a walk or have a kick about with your mates.

I have noticed more of a change since I adopted interval style anaerobic training as my CV work in terms of muscle than I ever did taking it steady.

I'd suggest that if someone is bored with the routine of an hours steady cardio, then they should try working twice as hard for just half an hour. I bet them they will feel like they have worked much harder afterwards, and been less bored.

Just my 2p

[suniil]

useful thread. I'm about to start my first gym session in next month, assuming fitness first open their gym in baker street

[mrapbp]

Interval training is definitely the way ahead and does help with boredom!

I do a 30 min run every day and basically increase the speed every min for 4 mins then back down again then back up again etc. Never gets boring and if you make sure that the top end is your absolute max you will come off hanging out of your ass!!

[FunkyMunkey]

Answering the original question: running shoes are just for running, etc., so Cross Trainers are best because of their versatility.

[Gliese 581c]

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Interval training is definitely the way ahead and does help with boredom!

I do a 30 min run every day and basically increase the speed every min for 4 mins then back down again then back up again etc. Never gets boring and if you make sure that the top end is your absolute max you will come off hanging out of your ass!!

That is the exact way to do it, a lot of studies have been done on this.

[Gliese 581c]

Originally Posted by pbirkett

I find the best way to make CV less boring at the gym is to actually work hard and dont do the same thing all of the time.

I see many people who simply just go on the cross trainer for 30 minutes and then go at a steady pace and barely even break a sweat. Whats the point?

At the longest, my CV sessions last 50 minutes, usually less (40), and I work as hard as possible. I'll often do something like the following:-

8 minutes on the bike on the interval hill setting or personal trainer aerobics settings
8 minutes on the summit trainer, interval hill setting
8 minutes on the tread mill, running as hard as I can for that time
8 minutes on the rowing machine, rowing as hard as I can for that time (approx 2000m)
8 minutes on the cross trainer, aerobics program

If you work hard enough you wont have time to be bored, trust me. If you finish and your not trembling and feeling high from it you havent tried hard enough!

Including myself, out of all of the people I see doing CV, I would say a relatively small proportion of the gym goers at our gym simply dont work hard enough to make themselves any fitter. They are locked in that "must go at a pathetically low 65% heart rate to lose fat". Fair enough that will help lose some fat, but it is extremely boring, and it wont make you as fit or lose as much fat, or put on as much muscle than if you really work hard. In those cases you may as well just go for a walk or have a kick about with your mates.

I have noticed more of a change since I adopted interval style anaerobic training as my CV work in terms of muscle than I ever did taking it steady.

I'd suggest that if someone is bored with the routine of an hours steady cardio, then they should try working twice as hard for just half an hour. I bet them they will feel like they have worked much harder afterwards, and been less bored.

Just my 2p

My CV is done on 3 machines at the moment and lasts 32 mins.

On the bike, I am 10 mins. That consists of 1 min at level 10, 1 min at level 13 repeat 5 times.

On the cross trainer I am 10 mins using program cascade (up hill down hill up hill down hill) for 10 mins at no less than 11k/hour speed.

On the treadmill I am 12 mins, that consists of 2 mins at gradient 10 then 2 mins at gradient 15 repeat 3 times and speed is 6.0 (fast walk speed)

[inzaman]

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Interval training is definitely the way ahead and does help with boredom!

I do a 30 min run every day and basically increase the speed every min for 4 mins then back down again then back up again etc. Never gets boring and if you make sure that the top end is your absolute max you will come off hanging out of your ass!!

I do something similar on my turbo trainer over the winter nights. You can also alternate it so start at 1 min max then 1 min slow, 2 min max then 2min slow, 3 min max then 3 min slow, 4 min max etc and come back down the other way so;
1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1 or if you are feeling brave 1,2,3,4,5,6,5,4,3,2,1

I dont find this trainer boring and i also see it as a means to an end, i want to be fit, well relatively fit, for the start of summer so i can get out on my bike without blowing at the first hill.

[Wild Weasel]

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Interval training is definitely the way ahead and does help with boredom!

I do a 30 min run every day and basically increase the speed every min for 4 mins then back down again then back up again etc. Never gets boring and if you make sure that the top end is your absolute max you will come off hanging out of your ass!!

You can't beat a bit of Fartlek.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=722

I was out last night Fartleking around.

[neilios]

For those wanting something new try squatting ,you may feel awkard at first ,but you'll be squatting bodyweight and beyond in no time ,it also strengthens your back and knees ,its only when you get to really heavy weights it can be a problem ,make sure you squat to a least parrallel otherwise you will hurt your knees .

My old man who now suffers from arthritis swears by and he's 54 yrs old .

Also for arms and chest try dips ,deadlifts ,i don't do any curls at all and still see good progress in arm size .

If your fed up up with your shoulder workout too try looking up power cleans ,start with hang cleans if you find it uncomfortable ,but again you'll end up with massive traps ,and delts plus you'll be sweating your tits off and its something different ,and i promise you'll ache like mad .

For those looking for a mad cv workout try spinning ,i'm currently getting ready for ibiza and i've lost nearly 2 inches off my waist in a month doing that and the bodyfat is dropping very quickly .

[kav]

I didn't want to post about this until I'd tested whether or not it works, but I'm starting week three now and it's already made a huge difference, so here goes:

A mate stumbled across a site called hundredpushups.com, which says that anyone can, within six weeks, do a hundred pushups in one sitting. Though initially very sceptical, I'm just over a third of the way through now and it is definitely helping me to build myself up!

At the start, you assess yourself by seeing how many pushups you can currently do - whether it's 2 or 22, the programme can be adapted for you*. This initial "baseline" test is used to determine the intensity of your workout.

Each workout consists of 5 levels - you have to do a fixed number of pushups on each level. For example, if your baseline is 15 pushups, on Day One you have to do 10, 10, 8 and 6 pushups across levels 1-4, with a 1-minute break in between each set. For level 5, you just need to do as many as you can (but at least 7).

It works by gradually building up the number of pushups you do in each sitting, and so far, at the end of two weeks, I've noticed a great improvement - my chest and waist are more toned, and my arms are definitely more powerful.

The above may sound complicated, but I highly recommend you check that site - it's well worth a go, and it sets your programme out in such a way that thinking "I'll never be able to do 100 in a row" doesn't phase you, because you are working on manageable chunks each day (3 days a week).

I've done free weights in the past, but for some reason always poo-pood doing push-ups, but they're giving me results as good as (if not better) than weights alone.

*obviously if you can already do loads, it's pointless following this!

[Steven]

Originally Posted by kavanf1

I've done free weights in the past, but for some reason always poo-pood doing push-ups, but they're giving me results as good as (if not better) than weights alone.

With regards to free weights, it depends on the exercises you do, the weight v rep ratio

I see plenty of people who spend more time showing off to their friend and talking themselves into the hall of fame, but then they do not do the exercise properly. Either in such a way that they are doing themselves long term damage or in actuality 'half a rep'; i.e. not bringing a weight down all the way. I have suggested to people to lower the weight and do it properly rather than have it at a high weight and struggle but people seem offended

[TameRacingDriver]

I really cant think of anything more boring than doing 100 press-ups every day. Personally I advocate mixing routines up so it doesnt get boring. For most people, 100 press ups a day wont be sustainable IMO as its so boring.

Each to their own though.

[MarkyPancake]

I train at the gym at least four times a week doing split routines and play basketball for a local team. I was playing for two teams, but quit one last year so am back down to one. I was also doing RPM until a few months ago when the class time didn't fit in with my schedule, but I think I will make a comeback at some point. I wear a vest, shorts, gloves, and air cushioned trainers, usually Nike. I use various supplements as well as eating frequently and favour MET-Rx products, chocolate Drink Mix is nice, and Tri-O-Plex Chocolate Chip Cookies. I'm a hard gainer.