I am beginning fitness training, and need some advice.

[AlienGirl]

I've started a program of weight lifting under the tutelage of a friend who studies physical culture and specializes in training for people with physical disabilities and unusual requirements. He's gotten me started with an exercise called the health-lift, done using a custom device, pictured here:

Weight plates go on the bar that sticks up.

My question is, on days I don't lift, should I do aerobic exercises like walking? My schedule,loosely,is lift day, walking day, rest day, lift day.

My goal is increased endurance, higher energy level, and to look "athletic" rather than "too skinny, maybe ill."

Advice would be appreciated! My friend is helping a lot, but he's asleep right now, and the more I can learn, the better.

Tucker

[flvegan]

1. The more you workout, the better, so yes.

[supernova]

2. Just be sure to wait a day between weights

to give your muscles time to recover.

So alternative weights with walking is fine to start out. As you get more fit, you may find that you can skip the rest day (except at the end of the week), and go do something else, like play frizbee in the park! :-)

[Brewman_Jax]

3. That's a good beginning schedule

and having a friend that has training experience is even better. :thumbsup:

Adding other aerobic exercises, like rowing, swimming, rollerblading/skating, dancing, etc., will keep the training schedule fresh and avoid boredom. :boring:

Once you've improved your fitness, you can try interval training.

[AlienGirl]

4. Next (silly?) question: Exercise while ill, yea or nay?

Currently I am fighting an abcessed tooth and am on clindomycin until something more can be done about it. I feel utterly crummy and run down, and I don't know if maybe exercise might make me feel better (or worse). My friend said to wait until the infection's gone and I've had a root canal, so that my body can just work on fighting the infection. Is this the proper thing to do? Would aerobic exercise, like walking, be better than weights at this time? How about in future illnesses--if I have a cold, or a sinus infection, or whatever, at what point should I interrupt the exercise routine to rest and heal?

In my most recent medical report, the doctor called me cachectic, which really stings and makes me want to see results *now*. :grr:

Tucker

[Brewman_Jax]

5. Try either one

but, IMO, the main thing is not to exercise to exhaustion, esp. since you aren't well. A lot of athletes and trainers are prone to over-exertion when they aren't feeling well--and they work us harder, too. :P

[MrMickeysMom]

6. Rule is, anything above the neck or upper respiratory system OKAY

But, if you have a stomach virus, or other more "systemic" thing going on... do yourself a favor and wait a few days, rest, then start up again.