Beginner Training Programme

di11on

Hi all,

I'm joining a gym in the very near future and am looking for advice.

My reasons for joining and my main objetives are:

1 - Get rid of a slight belly
2 - Upper body structure, my shoulders droop a bit
3 - Get fit.

Would be really grateful for advice and a training programme if appropriate.

Thanks in advance

Oryx

Usually its handy for people here to know a bit more about you, as in current weight and fitness levels, diet, etc. If youre willing to share that, youll get better feedback.

The main thing about joining a gym, is to stick at it. Lots of people join, go hell for leather for two weeks, and then never visit the place again. Set yourself 2 or 3 days a week that you will go, and stick to that, get a program to follow from an instructor, but have it changed every month or six weeks so you dont get bored.

I would also plan a class of some kind, circuits, weights, even 5 a side, just for a different and more sociable side to your training. It will keep you interested.

The main thing, is make this a habit in your life, something you can fit in, and enjoy, and that you will always do, not something you will do for a couple of months till your belly is gone.

di11on

Hi Oryx,

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, the reason I want to do this is that I have a dodgy knee. I did a lot of 5-a-side before which was the main way I kept fit. Since doing my knee in, I haven't been doing enough. Knee is ok for most stuff, just not soccer.

A little more about me...

I'm male, 34, 165cm tall and 65kg. In terms of fitness levels, I'd say I'm leaning towards the unfit side of things, but I'm not badly unfit.

Oryx

Ha, I would have to mention the one thing you cant do. Seeing as you have a history of training, getting into the habit wont be a problem for you, which is where most people fall down.

I do crosstrain in things like kettlebells, which I always recommend, but other than that I run, which wont suit you, so Ill leave you in the capable hands of all the muscly weight type guys and gals for further info.

di11on

Thanks again Oryx.

I would be really grateful if someone could suggest a programme for me that would address the following objectives:

1 - Get rid of a slight belly
2 - Upper body structure, my shoulders droop a bit
3 - Get fit.

Oryx

About the belly: Losing weight all over is the only thing that will rid you of your belly. You cant spot reduce. Crunches and core work will only give you better definition under whatever fat is there. Compound exercises like deadlifts, squats, snatches, will all help with definition.

Your shoulders sounds like posture related? And get fit is such a wide term. Many people in this forum weight train, some do martial arts, over in A/R/T its all running and triathlon. They all have different types of fitness. So whether you decide you like cycling, or weights or swimming, they will all get you fit, but you need to do something youre gonna like. Generally in a gym they will give you a mix of cardio and weights to begin with, and you can fine tune from there depending on what you like.