Yesterday I managed to get out to the gym for the second time.  The first time was Feb. 11th, but due to a cold and then a trip back to Montreal, I could only go again yesterday.  I did an upper body strength training workout and 20 minutes of cardio.

As a further chart of my thoughts, here’s what I felt yesterday:

- I was smart in bringing an extra set of underwear, but foolish in not bringing an extra pair of socks.  Cardio = sweaty feet!

- The total workout, cardio + weights, took about an hour.  I suspect this could be cut down once using the machines is natural and I don’t need to read the instructions to refresh myself each time.

- Bad habits!  Working on the cardio machines let me watch the other people on the weights.  Some people lift fast, very fast.  You’d think they were in a race to see who could finish first.  Generally these people were quite toned, lifting lots of weight.  Fitness buffs out there: I thought that the whole point of weight training was to lift slowly!  Am I wrong?

- The tricep machine is hellish.  Next time, I’ll go back to using the pulley and bar.

- I still have to figure out the correct weight to lift.  I’m closer this time than I was on the lower body workout, but I didn’t get any of my weights exactly right.

- I’m still not comfortable getting nekkid in the changing room.  I don’t mind other people being naked, but the thought of walking around in my birthday suit does not appeal to me.  Unfortunately, there’s nowhere to hang clothes in the shower area, so I settled on walking around in a towel.

For the reccord, my workout consisted of:

- chest presses: 50 lbs x 9 reps (too heavy)
- upper back: 40 lbs x 12 (slightly too light)
- shoulder raise: 40 lbs x 12 (slightly too light)
- abs: 40 lbs x 12 (too light)
- lower back extensions: 30 lbx x 12 (too light)
- bi-cep curls: 30 lbs x 11 (slightly too heavy)
- tri-cep pull-downs: 20 lbs x 12 (too light)

- cardio: 5 minutes @ 140 HR to warm up
- cardio: 20 minutes @ 158 HR

More thoughts next time, if I have them!
TTFN,
Julie

Thank you for the welcome. I empathize with the “what do I put in my bag next” syndrome. About 8 visits out of 10, I feel good about having what I need. On the other occasions I think twice, and vow that I’ll clean out what I really don’t need.

As for the styles of execution among weight training enthusiasts, there are as many styles as runners in a major marathon. I now try to focus on what works for me, based on a personal trainer’s recommendation. Some people need endurance, some hypertrophy, some a metabolic kick-start. Others are fighting to maintain muscle mass, some are fighting for their sanity. Unless you know the individual, and they are willing and capable of talking to you about their program, it is hard to know what is going through people’s heads. But in spite of all of that, at least they are doing something for themselves, as opposed to people who show up at the gym, and seem to drift from machine to machine, just chatting to whomever happens to be around.

Sorry that you were a bit under the weather ... hope things are improving for you.

Hey StepperUp - Welcome to MTM Land.

You and Julie are going to make a good match - I can already see that.

Judging by your posts, it looks like you’ve got some experience in gyms - maybe professinally.  Are you a Personal Trainer or some kind of Group Fitness Instructor? 

You seem to have that way about you.  Either way, welcome. 

We love to hear from anybody who truly “gets” the MTM attitude and loves to share and support the members in the community.  Looks like you’ll be a good fit.

I’m glad you’re here.