Alex- As I said in a previous post, this really depends on you. How active are you right now? Do you play any sports? Have you worked out before? If you are just starting out I would recommend 3 days of weight training and 2 days of cardio. If you have a lot of weight to shed consider focussing more on the cardio. With the weight training start with full body workouts. After you progress enough to start going 4 days, you might want to alternate between upper and lower body. For your weight training, if you are going to a gym, usually the equipment is set up by machines and free weights with what muscle group they work. I would start out with the most basic exercises and then refine. Also, like I said you will need to switch it up every month or so(add exercises, change reps/weight, grip differently) If you are completely new to weight training, I would get a trainer at the gym to show you how the machines work, and how to get the most out of each exercise.
Important points when you are weight lifting:WARM UP- it is important to get your blood circulating, especially in the region of your body where you will be lifting. This will result in less muscle ache, better performance, and better results. To warm up at the beginning of the workout do some stretches, especially focussing on the body parts you will be working that day. Also before lifting a higher weight. Start out with a weight that you can do at least 20 reps of. This will increase your blood flow to that part of your body without putting alot of strain on your muscle. (example: if you are going to bench press 140, try bench pressing 50 first, to warm up)
Start out with a lower weight - You want enough weight, so that your muscles start failing after 7 or 8 reps, but you also want to be able to concentrate on your form
Make sure you are doing the exercise correctly - Take it slow at first, it should take you the same amount of time to lift and let down the weight. If you are lifting wrong it could result in pulled muscles.
Drink water - Water is the key ingredient in your muscles, if you want results, you better have some water in you to back it up. Usually I use the time between every set to drink a little
Eat protein and often - Like a previous poster said you need to eat at least 6 times a day. This is not saying eat huge meals. If you eat a protein bar or drink a protein shake, that counts too! Vegetables are always good. Stay away from sweets, if you are really trying to cut weight I would stay away from fruit as well.
Basic Exercises to Start WithBench Press - Targets your chest, but uses biceps, triceps and back as stabilizer muscles
Squat - Targets mostly your quads, helps with your core, uses other leg muscles as stabilizers
Bicep curl - targets your bicep, uses other arm muscles as stabilizers
Tricep extension - targets tricep, uses other arm muscles as stabilizers
pull down (on machine), pull up(hanging from a bar)- Targets back
Row- targets back
I would try these on for size for the first couple of weeks, and then start adding more exercises to it.
For the cardio, do anything really active that you find enjoyable, riding a bike, jogging, aerobics, swimming, the list goes on and on. 20 minutes is a good place to start. Make sure you push yourself. If you find you really cant do 20 minutes, just make sure you shoot for more the next time you do it!
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