Weight Machines

Weight Machines (Full Version)

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LuckyAlbatross -> Weight Machines (5/23/2007 12:26:34 PM)
So, a brag. Our apartment complex has a totally awesome gym, which I've been going to off and on since we moved here. My partner has an entire regimen he follows and he's been gently pushing me to try and do the weight machines in my endeavor to be healthier and lose weight. I always highly resisted because there's tons of hot muscled people who know what they are doing and I was way too embarassed as the weak fat chick to look silly in front of them. So I'd do my 40 minutes on the cross trainer and then head to the sauna while he finished his routine. But we started going later in the evenings which is great because I'm a night person so my energy was higher AND there were lots fewer people there, so I finally got brave enough to start working on the machines. And it totally rocks! I think I have an arm muscle for the first time in my whole life. I'm going to focus more on toning than muscle building, but it's very cool to feel soreness and the machines aren't nearly so difficult to use as I had thought. I totally recommend!

onegoodgirl -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 12:32:51 PM)
You go girl! A sauna? That is a pretty darn awesome complex! (I go late at night or early on weekends to avoid the muscle-bounds too) lolol

caitlyn -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 3:21:37 PM)
Something to try ... After you finish lifting, put on sweats and take a short, but hard run. Start out small, like about a half mile, and try to sprint the last quarter. As you get better, increase the distance a little, but never more than a mile. If it starts to seem too easy, just sprint more of it at the end. Then hit the sauna ... although I prefer a cold pool, not having a sauna. [;)]

iwannapullurhair -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 7:35:05 PM)
I was a member of a 24 hour gym for awhile. They ended the late night hours a few years ago-bummer. It was great when I was starting out. I had the place to myself at 2AM. They have women's exercise places-some chain called Curves, if you don't want men looking at you while you workout.

Level -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 7:49:43 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LuckyAlbatross So, a brag. Our apartment complex has a totally awesome gym, which I've been going to off and on since we moved here. My partner has an entire regimen he follows and he's been gently pushing me to try and do the weight machines in my endeavor to be healthier and lose weight. I always highly resisted because there's tons of hot muscled people who know what they are doing and I was way too embarassed as the weak fat chick to look silly in front of them. So I'd do my 40 minutes on the cross trainer and then head to the sauna while he finished his routine. But we started going later in the evenings which is great because I'm a night person so my energy was higher AND there were lots fewer people there, so I finally got brave enough to start working on the machines. And it totally rocks! I think I have an arm muscle for the first time in my whole life. I'm going to focus more on toning than muscle building, but it's very cool to feel soreness and the machines aren't nearly so difficult to use as I had thought. I totally recommend! Kudos to you, LA. I would say, don't be afraid of muscle building, though. It boosts your metabolism, and guards you againt osteopoarosis (sp?), and it's almost impossible for women to get muscle bound without steroids.

MsOpal -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 7:55:37 PM)
I go to a gym and do cardio and a circuit for general muscle tone and building strength and end mine with free weights. Often I am the only femal in the free weight area not to mention being a 50+gramma and overweight! The guys who are "pumping iron" are usually too busy gasping for breath or watching themselves in the mirror to even notice me! I have really just gotten started again after about a 2 year lay off, and man talk about sore! dang!

UtopianRanger -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 9:24:30 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LuckyAlbatross So, a brag. Our apartment complex has a totally awesome gym, which I've been going to off and on since we moved here. My partner has an entire regimen he follows and he's been gently pushing me to try and do the weight machines in my endeavor to be healthier and lose weight. I always highly resisted because there's tons of hot muscled people who know what they are doing and I was way too embarassed as the weak fat chick to look silly in front of them. So I'd do my 40 minutes on the cross trainer and then head to the sauna while he finished his routine. But we started going later in the evenings which is great because I'm a night person so my energy was higher AND there were lots fewer people there, so I finally got brave enough to start working on the machines. And it totally rocks! I think I have an arm muscle for the first time in my whole life. I'm going to focus more on toning than muscle building, but it's very cool to feel soreness and the machines aren't nearly so difficult to use as I had thought. I totally recommend! Good job. I attribute just what you've mentioned, ala all the ''hardbodies'', directly to the television. In reality though --at least regards the two gyms I belong to -- the mix of people working-out is much same as you would see walking in and out of a 7-11 on a Friday night. Anyways.... the next time you decide to change pictures around, ya oughta throw in a ''triceps'' shot [;)] - R

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 9:54:37 PM)
Thanks for the support guys! Tonight was fun, too. Not so sure about the run, I'm not the type and I like the relaxing. Once it gets consistently hot, we'll start going to the pool and hot tub that's next to the gym after our workouts and alternate pool/hot tub for a good pore cleansing and relaxation. I'm ok with gaining some muscle, but more focused on losing weight right now.

CuriousLord -> RE: Weight Machines (5/23/2007 10:31:30 PM)
Grats. Always good to find something to make you feel good about yourself! You know, my freshman year, they told me I was required to take a PE class. For my Engineering degree. Pft, I thought it was ridiculous to waste my time with such, but they insisteed I needed to be well-rounded. I ended up picking up a weight-lifting class. And loved it. The free weights were my friends, mostly lifts from a bench and dumbbells. I think the best part was at the very end- aftering doing so and so many sets with the heaviest weights I could take- and pushing heart and soul into that last bit. If I made it up, it wasn't my last one- I'd try another, even if I hardly even barely had the strength to lift the last one. It was like crying out for every bit of rage I had to try to gain more strength. And proof that, despite my best efforts, I had my limits. It was truly life affirming.

Vendaval -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 3:09:36 AM)
You go girl! Keep up the workouts and the pool/sauna routine. [:)]

wandersalone -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 4:42:57 AM)
I have been told that increasing the reps but keeping the weights low is the way to tone up without adding bulk. I love the rush I get after a good workout at the gym although I still get embarassed because there are ladies who are probably 20 years older than me who walk WAY faster than me on the treadmill!!!! [:D]

Aileen68 -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 4:52:31 AM)
Yay for you. Strength training is great for women. I love free weights. I think you get a better workout from them. Remember to do each rep sloooowly. Work the muscle in a smooth movement. And remember to breathe. Good luck. You'll also see a huge increase in your stamina and strength along with muscle tone. edited to add...strength training also increases your metabolism, so you'll eventually start to burn more calories just through every day activities.

caitlyn -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 8:25:02 AM)
I understand about the run. I used to hate to run, because of the distance involved. A short, brisk run after a lift is much easier, and the results are great. Combine it with a radical decrease in sugar intake and crunches, and it's a fast way to hottie-body. [;)]

mnottertail -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 8:33:18 AM)
Aw FUCK!!!!! Does this mean that there ain't gonna be any fatgirl threads for me to hang out on the edges of and snag one? LA: Good for you!!!! And for girls to get the Schwartzenegger look, you gotta do alotta lifting and take steroids, but a taut thigh or a lack of tricep wobbling never did a girls looks much harm. Ron

proudsub -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 11:47:36 AM)
quote: I'm ok with gaining some muscle, but more focused on losing weight right now. That's great that you started resistance training LA. I've been doing it since the 60's when it wasn't fashionable for women. I hope you have someone knowlegeable showing you the proper way to lift so you don't injure yourself. Also be sure to allow at least 48 hrs between working the same muscle groups because you build muscle by causeing small tears then allowing them time to repair themselves. You'll be addicted before you know it. Muscle mass helps a great deal with weight loss by keeping your metabolism at a higher level 24/7.[:)]

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 12:28:35 PM)
Yeah, what's with that every other day thing? I was ready to go again on Tuesday when I read that. I always figured my partner wanted to go every other day just as a routine thing, now I know there's actual reasoning behind it. That shoulder press is tough!

proudsub -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 12:37:20 PM)
quote: Yeah, what's with that every other day thing? I was ready to go again on Tuesday when I read that. Sounds like you are already addicted.[:)] I like to do lower body one day and upper body the next day and take a day off once or twice a week. Since i workout at home i will often just do one or two exercises at a time and spread them out throughout the day, seems so effortless that way and helps your metabolism too.

windchymes -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 1:19:28 PM)
Weight machines rock! I love them. One thing, don't freak out if your clothes start getting loose and you weigh yourself expecting to see loss of poundage but find that you're the same or even a little bit more! Muscle weighs more than fat, and the weight increase will be muscle mass, even though you're tightening and toning up. When I started weight training, I went down two pants sizes but my weight stayed exactly the same. Drove me nuts, lol.

Vendaval -> RE: Weight Machines (5/24/2007 2:44:22 PM)
I hear you on that one! At one gym there was an older guy who had one leg amputated at the knee, he was in the weight room everyday working out. At another, I met an older lady in the dressing room who had a mastectomy and still had a smile on her face and was proud of her recovery from cancer. Those kinds of experiences are both inspiring and a lesson in humility and grace. quote: ORIGINAL: wandersalone I love the rush I get after a good workout at the gym although I still get embarassed because there are ladies who are probably 20 years older than me who walk WAY faster than me on the treadmill!!!! [:D]

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