total noob question

ironictoaster

Sorry if this is a stupid question but,

Basically, I'm trying to tone up. I was wondering would it be better to lose all the fat 1st (i.e use the threadmill, bike etc for the day and not bother with the weights) and then use the weights when I got rid of the fat or just a mixture of both?

BossArky

Bust yourself on the weights. When you are about to pass out from exhaustion after an hour of lifting, hop on the threadmill and run out another 200 calories (approx 2km at between 10-12kmph).

Doing weights first will use the glucose in your muscles and cause them to build up over the next days if you eat enough protein. Running after will mean that you will have no glucose left in the muscles and will start burning fat (and potentially a bit of muscle).

It is hard to run after killing yourself on weights (check out my log from yesterday), but it should have the effect you are looking for.

Someone else can perhaps give a more elaborate / learned response.

eroo

from my experience its best to combine both.start with light weights in order to perfect form(if you dont know how to any exercises then go to gym and ask instructor.never do any exercise your unsure of!!!!).i personally dont like running after weights as your body is tired.ideally you should rest and wait at least 7/8 hours between weights session and cardio.but really you should only do 1 form of exercise a day.hope this helps

eroo

ironictoaster

BossArky wrote:

Bust yourself on the weights. When you are about to pass out from exhaustion after an hour of lifting, hop on the threadmill and run out another 200 calories (approx 2km at between 10-12kmph).

Doing weights first will use the glucose in your muscles and cause them to build up over the next days if you eat enough protein. Running after will mean that you will have no glucose left in the muscles and will start burning fat (and potentially a bit of muscle).

It is hard to run after killing yourself on weights (check out my log from yesterday), but it should have the effect you are looking for.

Someone else can perhaps give a more elaborate / learned response.

Cheers for that, Also Its the 1st im going to the gym in a long time, so im gonna try to ease into it

ironictoaster

eroo wrote:

from my experience its best to combine both.start with light weights in order to perfect form(if you dont know how to any exercises then go to gym and ask instructor.never do any exercise your unsure of!!!!).i personally dont like running after weights as your body is tired.ideally you should rest and wait at least 7/8 hours between weights session and cardio.but really you should only do 1 form of exercise a day.hope this helps

eroo

Cheers for that, Well I've being to the gym many times but it came to a complete stop after family problems/work

Im gonna try to go twice a week minimum

Colm_OReilly

Tone is a result of muscular preparedness for exercise. You get this from lifting heavy things.

You shouldn't be spending hours in the gym. You get optimal benefits from training at high (unsustainable) intensities. Whether something is high intensity is up to you - your physiological and psychological tolerances.

Make sure you're exercise regime includes the following lifts - deadlift, squat, press, bench press, and then start doing olympic lifts and the variations of them. Do pull ups and dips, along with sit up and presses. Run, Row, Swim - but not for hours on end, short and intense exercise.

Mix it up. Then you're on to a winner with exercise. (all this is a Crossfit protocol, for more info on this type of training, check out www.crossfit.com and www.crossfit.ie)

The other component is diet. I'd recommend checking out the Paleo Diet or The Zone and look to make the changes needed to get more energy and lose the excess weight.

If you've any questions (not matter how silly you might think they are!) please fire away. There's always others out there who have the same problem or have never considered challenging the way they were doing things until people like you ask.

Thank you,
Colm

IncredibleHulk

creggy wrote:

Sorry if this is a stupid question but,

QUOTE]
Don't worry everyone is a noob sometime. Good luck