Exercise ?- Walk? Walk w/incline? Jog? Elliptical machine?

[MrsDRock]

I am just starting to get more of a gym routine.
Can someone let me know if I'm doing enough?

2-3x/week- Cardio
2-3x/week- Weight train (1 day is Arms, 2nd day is Legs, etc.)

As for Cardio-
Should I be walking or running?
Walking with an incline?
Can I do the elliptical?


I am always on the go, so when I go to the gym, I want to maximize the time while I'm there. I usually go for 45-60 min a day.

What is best "bang for the buck"?

[momtomany1]

I like the elliptical because it is effective but easier on the joints than running or walking. Pretty good 'bang' if you ask me! It is a 'real' workout.

You are smart to add some weight work.

[not2late]

The most "bang for your buck" cardio-wise is to keep your heart rate within its target rate for at least 45 minutes.

[BarbsinDisarray]

Originally Posted by not2late

The most "bang for your buck" cardio-wise is to keep your heart rate within its target rate for at least 45 minutes.

I have the hardest time staying in that range. I don't feel like I'm working hard enough. I'm supposed to be somewhere between 142-150, but I'm always at 160-165.

[momtomany1]

I have this problem too. When swimming, I get into this zone and stay there. On the elliptical machine, I edge up into the 158- 165 range. But I am like you.. slowing down would seem odd.

But I must admit, while I can easily swim for 45 minutes, I haven't done 45 minutes on the elliptical in a while. So I guess 'slow down, stay on' should be my motto.

[momtomany1]

Although now that I think about it, in the time it takes me to change into my swimsuit, I don't lose that much heart rate, and then it is right back up again when I am swimming. So if I do both I likely do get a good 45 minutes in the correct range.

[boonie stomper]

Originally Posted by MrsDRock

What is best "bang for the buck"?

Hmmm. My workout yesterday: 7:55 - 8:10 walk/jog to bus stop (catch bus, relax). 8:20- ~8:30 walk from dropoff stop to work (note: all walks carrying about 25 pounds in a bag, alternating hands). Work til 5 & repeat walks, in reverse, home by ~5:45... change clothes, relax, water yard, misc until 7pm. Walk to neighborhood dock carrying bucket, 10 chicken necks tied to sticks with long twine, net, ice & drinking water (10 minutes). Spend ~1 1/2 hours squatting & kneeling, pulling in and catching crab with net, standing, rethrowing neck into creek, repeat about every 2 minutes on average. Walk home with about $70 worth of blue crabs, cook & pick meat watching movie. Cost $0 Earnings delicious - have enough put up for use in several meals.

[DesertRain]

Start out doing what you feel comfortable with. If all you want to do is walk then walk and just push yourself a little bit more each time. Even if it's "just walking" it's a heck of a lot more than "just sitting". Right? In my situation, I started off by walking and then would add in some jogging until I was running. You should check out the exercise forums and also you might be interested in the C25K program. It gets you from sedentary to running at a comfortable pace. You will find that your body tells you when to advance and when to try new things

[Neecy]

I find walking does it for me. In fact I just changed my route, I was just going around the neighborhood, which is mostly flat, with one street that's a really steep incline, and decided to just go up and down that street (I usually bisect it and take side streets so I only was going up the incline at the beginning and end of my walk._ I went up and down it two times, same distance as my other route, and OMG, what a workout on the legs! But I feel great!

[Fayeza]

you will see benefits Even if your heart rate goes above your fat burning zone. Research shows that high intensity training (above the FB heart rate), can make you burn fat for hours after your workout. I usually alternate between moderate intensity cardio for 45- 60 minutes, and high intenisty interval training (like walk/jog) for 30 minutes.