I have a treadmill at home and can run 2 miles now. But I'm bored with it and tend to not work out often - depressing since the treadmill is right there. My work has a gym so I'm gonna start using theres since it has weights and other equipment. What's a good plan to stick to? I'm planning to workout Mon-thurs and then hoping on the weekend take a walk/job at some point. Is this ok? Time limit is not an issue. I have no kids and DH works nights so I don't need to rush home to make dinner. I'm just wondering what days I should do cardio and weights, and which one you do first. I'd rather do no weights, but I know it's recommended to do some right?
Re: What's your gym routine?
There's a lot of ambiguity when it comes to gym routines unless you have some goals in mind.
What are you looking to accomplish? Running farther than you are now? Being a buff rockstar? Having more energy in general? Losing weight? That will help us help you, methinks
Cardio, balance/flexibility and weight training are all INCREDIBLY important for a well-rounded, success gym routine. Also, accept that you DO have to mix it up somewhat to avoid plateaus.
Sorry... I know you want to hear that you don't need weights, but you do.
I can't comment on weights, since I hate weight-lifting and just don't do it. You sound bored, so I would recommend that you get off the treadmill and out of the weight room and try some new things. I currently take 2-3 zumba classes/week, and 2-3 yoga classes/week. On the days that I do yoga, I usually also rollerblade. On the weekends, I mountain bike, hike, and kayak.
I think people focus too much on establishing a set routine which, IME, just leads to boredom, instead of focusing on finding things you like to do that make you sweat.
This is my workout schedule for this week:
M - rest
T - yoga and strength
W - 5M
Th - yoga and strength
F- 10M
Sat - Rest
Sun - 5K + 2 miles
My exact schedule changes from week to week, but I try and do something similar to what is listed above. I will also usually do cross training in the form of swimming or ice skating on one of the rest days.
I do Zumba classes Sat/Mon/Wednesday; classes are a great way to alleviate boredom from the same old workout. I go to Zumba with my best friend and we have a great time and have even made some new friends!
Sun/Tues/Thu or Fri I'm doing C25K (I'm about 2 weeks in) and about 20-30 minutes of easy weight lifting. I just use free weights, no machines; that way all I have to do is pick them up and start moving my muscles and there's no waiting. You can look for free weight exercises online, that's what I did.
If you don't belong to a gym and are not looking to do so you could invest in a few different at workout DVDs (30 Day Shred, yoga, tae bo, P90X, etc...) and buy used weights or just find stuff around your house to lift.
Always keep switching it up and make your workout just a little harder each time; you won't get bored, you won't plateau and you'll build up your endurance.
If you don't want to do weights, try excercises using your body weight...push-ups, pull ups. dips, squats, lundges..... you can get a good workout in that way without having to lift a weight.
My own gym schedule varies day to day. I jsut do what I'm in the mood for. I go to the gym M-F for 90 minutes or so. I generally do 45-60 minutes of cardio then break up the rest into stretching and strength. I just alternate arms and legs on lifting days. When I'm training for a race I follow are more structured plan.
For me, I cannot keep doing the same workout day after day and stick with it, so I have to do something different almost every day. The only thing I do more than once a week is Body Pump - a one hour strength class.
As for weights - strength training is important for toning, and for your metabolism. The more lean muscle mass you have on your body, the more calories you burn in general/even when you're not working out. Plus, being strong is pretty cool
Some people choose to do strength and cardio each time they workout, or you can do strength one day and cardio another. (that's what I usually do)
My current workout schedule is here: http://treatyourbodyright.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-workout-routine.html (if I copy & paste, it messes up the format)
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