Gym members- some random questions...

[LaraMN]

I'm curious- if you frequent a gym or fitness center (and I use the term "frequent" loosely here;-) ):

How often do you go?

How long do you work out?

What do you do? Cardio? Weight training? Both?

If you do both types of exercise, do you do them every time you go, or do you alternate?

What type of goals do you have?

What results have you had from your regimen of training?

How long have you been going to the gym?

[MissMillie]

1. Well, Up until last month I was a regular visitor at the gym--hope to get back

I was 5 days a week for 1.5 hours. I did both cardio and weights and I would try to mix it up.

I'd like to lose 30 more lbs.

I've been a member there since March '05.

[LaraMN]

3. That sounds pretty darn good!

Did you find it to be a good mood elevator? I always get in a winter funk, and I'm optimistic that getting out and going to the gym regularly will help, this winter.

[MissMillie]

5. Yes... it was terrific at keeping my mood up

one of the reasons I desperately need to get back to it.

[LaraMN]

10. In all honesty, it seems to be better for me than antidepressants ever were.

And a couple bucks a month cheaper than a co-pay, besides!

[GOPisEvil]

2. Answers to your questions

I go 6-7 times per week.

On weekdays, I just work out for 30 minutes on the elliptical before work. On weekends, I mix in weight training with the cardio. Nothing strenuous, just to tone up a bit.

As far as goals, I was once close to 300 lbs, and I never, ever want to be back there again. I'm also adopted so I don't know my medical history. I'm trying to maintain a healthier weight and improve my cardiovascular health.

Now that I'm really watching my caloric intake, I'm losing a bit of weight again. I'm down to my lowest weight in a long time.

I've been going on and off for a few years now. I've been more serious in the last several months.

Any other questions? :)

[LaraMN]

6. I LOVE the elliptical!

I do 30-40 minutes on it before I weight train, when I go. Kudos to you for taking your health into your own hands! I've got just over a year until I turn thirty, and it's one of my goals to be in the best shape of my life, by then. I think I'm getting close already, so as long as I can improve a little more and then maintain, it should work out.

Do you have to wrestle with that "ugh, I don't want to move my ass" voice, in getting out the door to go? Once I leave, I'm good, but sometimes it's hard to overcome that mental inertia!

[GOPisEvil]

8. I actually jog on the elliptical. I can't jog on treadmills or the street ...

...due to a pinched nerve in my shoulder. :mad:

Now that I work out before work, I don't have to fight the mental inertia as much. I was waking up WAY before time to go in, so any time before getting ready to go to work was wasted. So, I decided to use that time productively. Going after work was too easy to skip out on. I can tell when I don't go. I miss the energy boost.

[LaraMN]

11. That sounds like a good system.

There is no way I could haul my ass out of bed early enough to get to the gym before I have to get my kids up! I'm not a morning person! I bet it's a nice boost in the sluggish a.m. hours, though.

[GOPisEvil]

13. I had to turn myself into a morning person.

I am lucky that I only have myself to get moving. If I had a wife, kids, etc, I'm sure things would be more difficult.

[nosillies]

4. I try to go at least three days a week, for about an hour at a time

I hit my treadmill at home otherwise.

I find I am most motivated when I go regularly to specific classes. That way, i meet people and get into a regular routine. It really makes me feel good when everyone asks "where were you?" if I miss classes.

Right now, I'm doing a group strength (weights, a little aerobics) class and some swimming. My goal right now is just to hang in there until I have my baby next month! I'm hoping my workouts lead to an easy labor and better recovery than with my last child.

[LaraMN]

9. As far as recovering form pregnancy, it sure can't hurt!

In fact, I bet it makes a big difference. I sat on my keyster during all of my pregnancies (aside from the usual working or running after other kids), and I was blessed with an accumulation of three pregnancies' worth (sixty pounds)of weight I had to work my ass off to dump, after my last baby. I did it, but it was not. fun. and I felt like a cow in-between pregnancies.

Good luck on your impending labor and new baby business! When are you due?

[nosillies]

19. I was totally lazy with my first pregnancy, and paid the price with an unbelievably

hard time trying to lose the weight (never really lost all of it!). I do feel much better this time around. Surprisingly, I'm probably on track to gain way more pounds with this pregnancy, but everyone comments on how much better I look this time. I'm due right at Christmas time!

As far as the posts about Pilates, definitely go for it and get back to it. It changed my body and abilities so much that I had to start teaching it! I haven't taught for a while, but I think it is one of the most amazing ways to change your body and fitness levels in a short amount of time.

[AllegroRondo]

7. I only go to use the indoor track in the winter

otherwise all I do is run and bike.

During the winter, I'll go 3-4 times a week. Most of the time I'll do 4 miles (30 minutes), and one day a week is a long run of 8 miles or more.
I dont bother with weight training.

my goal - get my marathon time under 4 hours. Hopefully this spring I can do it.

[LaraMN]

12. I can't imagine being able to run eight miles.

I don't think I have ever in my life had that kind of endurance! I quit smoking quite awhile ago, but it's been a pita recouping my lung capacity.

[BarenakedLady]

14. I only go to Pilates class

Except that I missed this week due to a hangover :hangover:

I go once a week, but I pre-paid for 8 lessons, so I can really go whenever they have class. But Saturday mornings are really the only convenient time for me.

It's a one hour class

I don't really have any goals except to stay healthy (mind and body)

I really feel relaxed after class. Then I go home and get stressed again before even walking in the door. x(

I just started going a couple months ago.

[LaraMN]

16. I've abandoned Pilates in favor of the gym- but I did like them.

I just needed something different and some cardio. I think Pilates is really great for those of us who have to watch our posture. I might try to mix a bit of it back into my schedule. I liked how well it trained my abs, as well.

[xchrom]

15. an hour cardio usually -- running

on the treadmill -- about 5 mis.

then an hour with weights --

and i do that 5 to 6 days a week.

[LaraMN]

17. That's fairly ambitious!

Do you train all over with weights? My husband mainly does upper body stuff, and just a bit of leg work. I do alot of leg and glute stuff, and am working on building up my arm and chest strength, because I have weak triceps and shoulders.

[xchrom]

18. i rotate{lol} throughout the week.

today and tomorrow will be legs -- truth is you have to work legs harder because they get so much work through the day.

then back on thursday -- frigday will probably be chest -- but with dumb bells instead of bench press etc.

[radwriter0555]

20. I have a chain of gyms here in france, and I go at least 3 times a week

for at least 30 minutes.

We provide circuit training with hydraulic machines on 24 stations, and I personally love it.

It's not aggressive, it's well directed and focused and wonderfully social without any guys hanging around.

I go first thing in the morning before I eat breakfast. That helped me lose those last few pounds, since, if you eat before your work out, your body burns the fuel you just put in, not the lard hanging on your hips. Did I say lard? I was referring to mine of course.

My knees are finally healthy again (see Gopisevil for the various incidents), my cardio is WAY up, I have a lot more stamina and it's easy and efficient and idiot proof to understand!

[flvegan]

21. I go quite often, but remember, each person may have a different experience

How often do you go? 6 times a week, sometimes 7.

How long do you work out? 45 minutes to an hour weight training, then 20-40 minutes of cardio.

What do you do? Cardio? Weight training? Both? Both.

If you do both types of exercise, do you do them every time you go, or do you alternate? I always weight train. There are days (leg day, usually) that I don't do any cardio. However, my weight training routine is oftentimes also aerobic and not just anaerobic.

What type of goals do you have? 9% bodyfat, 21" biceps but with good symmetry.

What results have you had from your regimen of training? All positive. In the first year, I lost 80 pounds and started putting on lean mass. I never looked back. I'm a good-sized 215 lbs.

How long have you been going to the gym? I've been lifting since I was 13.

[Patiod]

22. Keep in mind my S.O. is a gym rat

who would go every day if his body would let him.

I go 2-3 times a week, lift for 15-20 minutes, then Elliptical for 30

My only goals are vague "getting strong" "staying fit"

Results are that my arms are more muscle than fat, and I can walk up stairs without huffing and puffing! The arm part took a few years -- I can build up other parts (calves, thighs) a lot more easily

Well worth it, just for all the good endorphins that get going!

[meegbear]

23. ...

I go 6 days a week Mon-Sat.

Work out about 90 minutes.

I do weight training and 30 minutes of cardio; but starting back on October 30, I've been doing all cardio - three 30 minute routines and will until Januray.

Want to lose some weight, gain some mass.

I've had good results, one of the reasons I'm doing all cardio is to increase fat loss and "shock the system" when I return to the floor.

About 8 years - getting serious about it about 2.

[Evoman]

24. I went to the gym for about 2 years...I really liked it there. It was cheap

and it wasn't a "spandex gym" (i.e: a gym with posers who just go to show off or pick up). It was a metal, stanky, macho gym (of course women were allowed..and liked it because they were never hit on..lifters were too serious).....I felt intimidated at first, but the guys there would never say anything, and would help you out, if they thought you were serious.

I used to go about 4 to 5 times a week for about an hour...each time working on a different group of muscles. I didn't do much cardio, because I wanted to grow muscle mass and my fast metabolism doesn't like it when I do cardio. I lose weight too fast.

In those 2 years, I gained over 20 pounds of muscle.

Alas, my gym bankrupted...so I was forced to go the university gym (I don't have a car, and there are no other gyms close by after my gym closed down. Also, no place as cheap). The university gym has a bunch of assholes who like to show off, and girls who go to pick up...its ridiculous. But I kept it up for awhile anyways.

Then I started my thesis..and my gym attendance dwindled to nearly nothing. I haven't gone in almost 2 months...I feel like a slob, and I'm starting to lose weight and eat less. It sucks. But I'm almost done...as soon as I finish school and get a job, I'm getting a pass to a good gym.

[Left Is Write]

25. Answers

How often do you go? About three times a week (and I work out at home the other 3-4 days).

How long do you work out? 60-90 minutes.

What do you do? Cardio? Weight training? Both? Some days both, some days only cardio.

If you do both types of exercise, do you do them every time you go, or do you alternate? See above.

What type of goals do you have? To maintain my lean muscle mass, weight, and good health.

What results have you had from your regimen of training? I have great muscle tone, endurance, heart and lung strength, and excellent cholesterol levels.

How long have you been going to the gym? Three years.


(BTW - those questions don't seem so random. :) )

[Lydia Leftcoast]

26. Water aerobics three times a week

I've been doing it for three years, and I don't mean the old lady water aerobics where you bounce up and down in the shallow end.

I mean the deep water variety where you do jumping jacks and cross country ski motions and jogging while staying afloat, followed by strength moves with styrofoam dumbbells of different densities.

In three years, I've progressed from needing a flotation belt to doing the whole class while treading water.

[Onlooker]

27. I hate the gym, but

It took me a long time to find a routine I like. I ride the bike for one hour, reading a light mystery. Then I use the rowing machine for 10 minutes. It's given me more energy, helped me lose some weight, and made me feel pretty good. I hate it because it's boring, but I usually manage to go 2 or 3 time a week. For me, the mystery is key. If I'm reading something good, I want to go back to the gym to find out what happens next. I used to do a routine that included weight lifting, but counting to 10 or 20 over and over again is just so fucking tedious it's not worth it.

[swimboy]

28. Hi Lara

I swim at the Downtown YMCA where I live. When I'm up to speed I go three times a week, usually at 5:45am and swim a mile each time. It takes 35-45 minutes in the pool. Sometimes I ramp up to a mile and a third or a mile and a half. My goal is to keep my weight from going up and to keep my breathing and heart rate at good fitness levels. I think I could benefit from some weight work but it would be hard to add it without messing up my regular swimming schedule. My good results are low heart rate, good upper body musculature and I swear I would be as big as a house if I hadn't gotten to be a regular swimmer. I've probably been swimming for ten years but I'm not entirely sure.

Before that I used to do Nautilus machines and super circuit but I had gotten away from it.

[Roon]

29. I have a home gym

I work out every day.
I work out for an hour each time.
I work on upper/lower body depending on the day and I go running afterwards
My goal is to lose fat and gain muscle
My biceps are already popping and my neck and leg muscles are real noticable.
I worked out for a year two years ago, started drinking and gained 70lbs in a year, I just started working out again about a week before Halloween.

Edited to add:My family is going to be running the DC marathon next october. Depending on how well things for for me the next year, I may be joining them.