alternative workout

harr

Hi
Hope someone can help, going to the gym for the last 6 months and watching what I eat and have lost nearly 3 stone.
The problem I have is that I have twisted my knee bad so this means my usual routine is out the window for up to 8 weeks, no treadmill, cross trainer, kettle bells, stepper or rowing.
I know if i don't go to the gym i will get lazy and the weight will pile on.
My diet is good and I am also not a huge fan of free weights which the doctor said would be ok once my weight was off the knee so sitting or lying down.
Sorry for long post and I hope someone can give me some suggestions.
Thanks

Alf Veedersane

You'll be able to use plenty of machines in the gym but I would suggest you get over your aversion to free weights.

Get to know them...you'll become friends with them and eventually love them.


That's how it rolls.

harr

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

You'll be able to use plenty of machines in the gym but I would suggest you get over your aversion to free weights.

Get to know them...you'll become friends with them and eventually love them.


That's how it rolls.

The reason I hate free weights is that I am not very strong and feel in the way of the lads and girls who are into it in a big way , I just don't feel comfortable in the weights area at all.

Alf Veedersane

harr wrote: »

The reason I hate free weights is that I am not very strong and feel in the way of the lads and girls who are into it in a big way , I just don't feel comfortable in the weights area at all.

It's the same as people not being comfortable in the gym because they're not very fit.

NO one cares what you can or can't lift. If you're not very strong, then the weights you'll start off on won't be using the weights the regular users of the free weights will be so you won't be in the way.

The free weights area is an equal opportunities area

LuckyLloyd

Yeah seriously - those strong people into it in a big way started off lifting fractions of what they are now and / or not being aware of lots of technical and programming ideas they know now.

The great thing aswell is that, as a beginner to weight training, you'll make great progress initially - being able to add weight or reps each time for a period. Just looking at the bar will make you stronger to start with.

What type of equipment do you have in your gym? Would you be looking for an idea of what to start with?

innad

free weights are definitely your friend

there should also be a number of body weight exercises you can do - press-ups, pull-ups (assisted if necessary), planks, side planks, tricep dips, various ab and lower back exercises etc etc, none of which require the use of free weights at all.
Boxing (or shadow boxing) can be a great workout when you're suffering from lower body injuries as well.

Orlaw3136

harr wrote: »

The reason I hate free weights is that I am not very strong and feel in the way of the lads and girls who are into it in a big way , I just don't feel comfortable in the weights area at all.

Similar to yourself at first, now love free weights.

Solution : get some training to build your confidence.

And never mind what anyone else is lifting - heavy is relative to you.

You're missing out.

harr

Thanks for all the suggestions ,might have to bite the bullet and get stuck into some free weights.The gym has most machines and a large enough free weights area as well as one of them pully things that you stand at and pull weights with cables...
Punch bag is a good idea and some planks,I do some ab work as is ,so ok there.
The lads working in the gym don't seem too helpful when I ask questions which is also off putting,they get very technical about muscle groups and it just goes over my head.
One thing for sure is that my diet is going to have to be top notch for the next couple of months.

runawaybishop

harr wrote: »

The lads working in the gym don't seem too helpful when I ask questions which is also off putting,they get very technical about muscle groups and it just goes over my head.

Sounds like they are getting excited you are asking their advice and going into too much detail Ask them to keep it simple.