Gym, Multi, Free?

[sn11]

Hi everyone, sorry to ask yet another n00bfilled post but i am curious as to general opinion.

I had the longest - least productive two months off college ever (just gone back), i did no exercise, partly to do with a lot of holidaying, partly to do with just turning 18, mostly because i'm lazy.

Got on the voice of doom (aka the scales) and realised i've put on 2 stone!!

Now, this is extra bad because i wanted to loose weight BEFORE the 2 stone increase. So i've been scouring the MA world for something to do these past few weeks, partly deciding on something like judo with something like muay thai or western boxing... But anyway, my question...

What would you guys recomend me doing going to the gym, buying a multi-gym or using free weights? Is there any other exercise equipment thats a MUST if i do home gym stuff? Or anything just good to have?

Currently, i should be able to do an hour or so before college on mondays, thursdays and fridays. I also have the entire of tuesday and wednesday at my disposal so i can spend more time at the gym then.

I know swimming is a great form of exercise but i intend to take it up after loosing a few lbs, mainly from my last encounter at the local pool.

So yeah, any general advice or tips would be greatly appreciated also a choice on the above :D

Thanks a lot! psy

[Mr Punch]

Big free weights should help you burn a lot of weight. Combine that with eating more often and keeping up your fluids.

Swimming should be good if you treat it like HIIT sprints.

Also HIIT, tabatas, sprints etc will have you vomiting your way to fitness in no time! :D

[Colucci]

Dude, you put on nearly 30 pounds in two months. Zoinks. That's got to be some kind of record. I have to say, though, I'm wondering just how much (little?) you really wanted to lose weight before the long break. That's a heck of a slip in willpower.

What would you guys recomend me doing going to the gym, buying a multi-gym or using free weights? Is there any other exercise equipment thats a MUST if i do home gym stuff? Or anything just good to have?
Whatever you're actually going to do, do. If you have issues about swimming right now, I suspect you might have those same type of issues about going to a gym, so training at home might be the best bet. A basic barbell set is all you really need, but if space is very limited, I'd find a high-quality adjustable dumbbell like Powerblocks or something similar. And start those judo/muay Thai/boxing lessons ASAP, because that alone could jumpstart some fat loss.

As far as what to actually do with the weights, I'd look into Charles Staley's EDT (http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1484197&cr=bodybuilding), with 10-minute PR zones for the first few weeks since you're adjusting to a whole new fitness plan. I'd let the martial arts classes count as cardio, at least initially. No point in completely overwhelming you and burning you out too soon (plus, EDT is pretty intense on the cardio side anyhow.)

[sn11]

Dude, you put on nearly 30 pounds in two months. Zoinks. That's got to be some kind of record. I have to say, though, I'm wondering just how much (little?) you really wanted to lose weight before the long break. That's a heck of a slip in willpower.


Whatever you're actually going to do, do. If you have issues about swimming right now, I suspect you might have those same type of issues about going to a gym, so training at home might be the best bet. A basic barbell set is all you really need, but if space is very limited, I'd find a high-quality adjustable dumbbell like Powerblocks or something similar. And start those judo/muay Thai/boxing lessons ASAP, because that alone could jumpstart some fat loss.

As far as what to actually do with the weights, I'd look into Charles Staley's EDT (http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1484197&cr=bodybuilding), with 10-minute PR zones for the first few weeks since you're adjusting to a whole new fitness plan. I'd let the martial arts classes count as cardio, at least initially. No point in completely overwhelming you and burning you out too soon (plus, EDT is pretty intense on the cardio side anyhow.)

I know, i couldn't believe it to be honest. I seem to loose quick gain quicker.

As i say with the long break (practically a month) on holiday, then celebrating my birthday my mind was on completely different things rather than exercise.

I wasn't really concentrating on it earlier to be honest. But after a trip to a clothes shop and a few 'comments' it really kick started my mentality of HAVING to do something.

I dont have any problems with gyms, the main reason for problems with swimming is the lack of clothing worn, gyms your clothed and people are there to work out so concentrating on people is far from mosts mind.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about doing a before and after shot thing. Sort of take pictures now and if i ever feel like 'i cant be bothered' just take a look at the originals, and then after a while see how far i've gotten?

I might become brave enough later for the pictures to be shown to show it can be done! lol

[Colucci]

I was thinking about doing a before and after shot thing. Sort of take pictures now and if i ever feel like 'i cant be bothered' just take a look at the originals, and then after a while see how far i've gotten?

I might become brave enough later for the pictures to be shown to show it can be done! lol

Totally. That's a great idea, whether you post them up someplace or not is up to you.

Also, on top of (or even instead of) pictures, I usually suggest to pick out one complete outfit, like jeans and a t-shirt, and try it on regularly, twice a month. Like, on the 10th and 24th of every month, take five minutes to throw on this exact same outfit and just feel how it fits. Getting looser in the right places? Getting tighter in the wrong places? It gives some immediate and consistent real-world feedback.

[sn11]

Totally. That's a great idea, whether you post them up someplace or not is up to you.

Also, on top of (or even instead of) pictures, I usually suggest to pick out one complete outfit, like jeans and a t-shirt, and try it on regularly, twice a month. Like, on the 10th and 24th of every month, take five minutes to throw on this exact same outfit and just feel how it fits. Getting looser in the right places? Getting tighter in the wrong places? It gives some immediate and consistent real-world feedback.

Cool thanks for the idea!

My girlfriend asked me what size i wanted to be then when i told her went out and bought me said sizes as an out-fit and told me to do pretty much what you said.

Cheers

[sn11]

I was also wondering if anyone might be able to suggest some equipment to buy for home training?

Such as punch bag for practising kicks/punches, and general excersise equip.

Anyone have opinions on multi-gyms?

I'll almost certainly (unless something goes very wrong) be doing kickboxing or Thai boxing and perhaps a little boxing aswell.

So anything to work with that is greatly appreciated.

Regards, H&F Noob

[Jamo2]

Well i box, so i can say, if you have sufficient room for a PROPER (hanging) punchbag, then get one.
They are truly priceless when you know how to use one. As a kid i used to just go out the back, hit it a few times and think that was enough, then when i started boxing properly i knew what an actual bag workout was and applied that to home.
Also, run, or cycle.
I used to run everyday for three months when i was overweight...couldnt see a difference so stopped. The weight just kept falling off me, and a year later i was SKINNY (Consequently im now trying to put it back on)

[tom pain]

What would you guys recomend me doing going to the gym, buying a multi-gym or using free weights?

I would personally combine those two - go to the gym and use the free weights there. My gym has a much better selection of weights and equipment than I could hope to get in my house (olympic bar with 25/20/15kg plates, squat rack, several benches, dumbells up to 40kg etc) and I like the actual gym enviroment to work out in.

[sn11]

Thanks for the advice. My new issue is that i have the opportunity to train five nights a week or twice a week and go to the gym.

I mean training five nights a week will be good for exercise and improving etc.

But if i lowered training to twice and also took up the gym i could go tuesday and wednesday and sunday. So which ever way i look at it i'll be doing roughly Five nights a week somewhere doing something.

The reason i can only do three at the gym is other days i am working or at college (full days) so it doesn't leave much time to then go back out and do the journy to the gym etc etc.

So basically what i gain with being able to do weights, cardio and eventually swim i'll loose in class time. Is it worth it or should i stick with the classes?

Cheers :D