Questions for gym goers

[Secsip]

For those of you that go to a gym (I understand why a lot of people like to use their neighborhoods for exercise and don't need a gym....but I wanted access to all kinds of equipment - weights and nautilus), I would like to know what your experience is like and any suggestions you can give:

* How frequently do you go? (I shoot for 3-4 nights a week. Two nights are pure martial arts).

* How long do you stay at the gym? (I shoot for 45 - 1.5 hrs depending on time and type of workout).

* Type(s) of workouts -- do you change it up? (i.e. one night work arms, one night work legs, one night work core/abs, have a cardio night, work on all body parts, etc? (I try to work one area of my body and finish up with some cardio).

* What do you do to keep it sanitary? (I like to use my towel on the benches and squat bar and I make sure to clean off right after a workout. I frequent the hand sanitizer stations).

* Do you use weights to tone or bulk? (I like to stay feminine, no bulky muscles for me. Just my own preference...not a hater. I try to do up to 20 reps, 2-3 sets).

* Do you prefer to work out alone, or with a buddy? (I prefer a buddy because I prefer using the free weights and feel safer with a spotter, but most of the time I go to the gym alone).

* What time of day do you prefer to work out/ what time of day do you have to work out due to work/family/etc? (I work out late at night when the kiddos are sleeping).

Thanks.

[sandiego_to_frisco]

Originally Posted by Secsip

For those of you that go to a gym (I understand why a lot of people like to use their neighborhoods for exercise and don't need a gym....but I wanted access to all kinds of equipment - weights and nautilus), I would like to know what your experience is like and any suggestions you can give:

* How frequently do you go? (I shoot for 3-4 nights a week. Two nights are pure martial arts).

* How long do you stay at the gym? (I shoot for 45 - 1.5 hrs depending on time and type of workout).

* Type(s) of workouts -- do you change it up? (i.e. one night work arms, one night work legs, one night work core/abs, have a cardio night, work on all body parts, etc? (I try to work one area of my body and finish up with some cardio).

* What do you do to keep it sanitary? (I like to use my towel on the benches and squat bar and I make sure to clean off right after a workout. I frequent the hand sanitizer stations).

* Do you use weights to tone or bulk? (I like to stay feminine, no bulky muscles for me. Just my own preference...not a hater. I try to do up to 20 reps, 2-3 sets).

* Do you prefer to work out alone, or with a buddy? (I prefer a buddy because I prefer using the free weights and feel safer with a spotter, but most of the time I go to the gym alone).

* What time of day do you prefer to work out/ what time of day do you have to work out due to work/family/etc? (I work out late at night when the kiddos are sleeping).

Thanks.

I go 4 nights per week.

Usually about an hour.

I do 50 minutes of weights, usually an upper/lower split + 10-15 minutes of jump rope/treadmill/stairmaster

I'd like to gain some muscle mass. Sidenote: Don't worry about lifting heavy and getting "too bulky." Females tend not go get the same amount of hypertrophy guys get, and no one ever wakes up one morning and sees that they've gotten too big.

I work out alone. I like the fexibility.

I go around 6pm & take the kids with me. The almost 3-yr old needs lots & lots of playtime.

[Joycmarr]

* How frequently do you go? about 3 times/week, for weightlifting only. I rarely do cardio in a gym setting (unless the weather is bad) I occasionally will do a Body Pump class, but my work schedule is so crazy that I can't get consistent with it

* How long do you stay at the gym? 45 min-1 hour

* Type(s) of workouts -- do you change it up? I change it up about every 8 weeks, but I typically alternate one day of cardio (jogging outside 30-45 minutes) with a day of total body weights using compound moves such as squats, deadlifts, benchpress, etc. Occasionally, I will follow a specified routine, such as P90X or Jamie Eason's Livefit program, just because I'm bored with my own thing

* What do you do to keep it sanitary? Wash my hands before and after my workout. If I become sweaty, I use my towel to cover the bench and wipe down afterwards.

* Do you use weights to tone or bulk? Most women can't bulk even if they tried. Back in 2007 I went through a phase where I thought I wanted to be a Fitness Competitor, and even paying anal attention to my nutrient macros, supplementing, and lifting HEAVY, I still just leaned out (went from a size 6 to a 2) and although I had noticable muscle definition, it's kinda hard to call a size 2 bulky Currently, I lift heavier than most women I would say. I like to see my strength increasing over time. So, heavy weights, lower reps is my preference.

* Do you prefer to work out alone, or with a buddy? ( Workout alone...the only time a buddy might be beneficial is if we are doing the same program and need to motivate each other (such as P90X) or if I'm doing a Group Fitness class and then it's nice to have someone

* What time of day do you prefer to work out/ what time of day do you have to work out due to work/family/etc? Varies bc of my work schedule. Sometimes late at night, sometimes I'm able to go in early afternoon. I just prefer to go when it's not busy and I dont' have a zillion meatheads gawking at me

[sandiego_to_frisco]

Originally Posted by Joycmarr

I just prefer to go when it's not busy and I dont' have a zillion meatheads gawking at me

Sorry, I didn't realize that was you!

[slevan]

I go to 24 hour Fitness about 5 times a week. I'm currently following a lifting program off Bodybuilding.com so it makes it easy - it tells me what exercises to do & how many reps of each. It's been great. Most of the time I like to work out alone because I find partners drag me down. It sounds mean, but seriously, I don't go to the gym to chit chat. I want to get in, kill it, & then get out - very little chatting unless it's in the sauna after the workout. That being said, when I'm lifting, I could REALLY use a partner for certain exercises. Sometimes I need a spotter & it stinks that I don't have anyone to help me out. So, I suppose if I found the right workout partner that would be focused & not concerned with the social aspect, it'd be a nice bonus. Partners can also be motivating at times too when you're not into it.

Most programs call for cardio & weights so just depends on what one I'm doing as to how I break it down. I also like to throw in a few group classes every now & then too - like cycle class or Pilates or something different that I don't normally do. Always keep changing it up a bit so I don't get bored & my body doesn't get too complacent.

[sugarbaby]

* How frequently do you go? (I shoot for 3-4 nights a week. Two nights are pure martial arts).

I go to NexGen Fitness 3 times a week to work with a trainer and another couple of times to use the cardio equipment

* How long do you stay at the gym? (I shoot for 45 - 1.5 hrs depending on time and type of workout).

45 min with the trainer and 30-45 for cardio

* Type(s) of workouts -- do you change it up? (i.e. one night work arms, one night work legs, one night work core/abs, have a cardio night, work on all body parts, etc? (I try to work one area of my body and finish up with some cardio).

I do full body every time unless I am going 2 days in a row. The trainers are really creative with the workouts so they are always changing.

* What do you do to keep it sanitary? (I like to use my towel on the benches and squat bar and I make sure to clean off right after a workout. I frequent the hand sanitizer stations).

That is one of the reasons I chose a private workout. The equiment is sanitized between sessions and you are the only one in the room with your trainer so everything stays clean for you.

* Do you use weights to tone or bulk? (I like to stay feminine, no bulky muscles for me. Just my own preference...not a hater. I try to do up to 20 reps, 2-3 sets).

I agree on no desire for bulky muscles. I am really looking for tone and definition

* Do you prefer to work out alone, or with a buddy? (I prefer a buddy because I prefer using the free weights and feel safer with a spotter, but most of the time I go to the gym alone).

I always have a trainer when I work out. For me personally I might find it destracting to be with a friend, but I agree that a spotter is the best way to go.

* What time of day do you prefer to work out/ what time of day do you have to work out due to work/family/etc? (I work out late at night when the kiddos are sleeping).

I go after work during the week and mid-day on Saturday

[Secsip]

Originally Posted by sandiego_to_frisco

I go 4 nights per week.

Usually about an hour.

I do 50 minutes of weights, usually an upper/lower split + 10-15 minutes of jump rope/treadmill/stairmaster

I'd like to gain some muscle mass. Sidenote: Don't worry about lifting heavy and getting "too bulky." Females tend not go get the same amount of hypertrophy guys get, and no one ever wakes up one morning and sees that they've gotten too big.

I work out alone. I like the fexibility.

I go around 6pm & take the kids with me. The almost 3-yr old needs lots & lots of playtime.

Gosh I wish this was true for me. I like lifting first and then finishing up with some cardio, too. Thanks for your response.

[lovinlife]

* How frequently do you go? *
I try to lift 4-5 days a week and have done so for the last 17 years.

How long do you stay at the gym? *
It really depends on the workout, but I pretty much superset everything and can be done with a really intense weight workout in 45 minutes. The longer you workout doesn't necessarily mean the more progress you'll see.

Type(s) of workouts -- do you change it up?
I do change up my workouts, typically every 6 weeks or so. I'm currently training legs twice a week and then I'll do shoulders and triceps together and back and biceps and then I'll throw a chest workout in occasionally in order to keep the striations.

* What do you do to keep it sanitary?*
I wash my hands after I finish working out and then use a towel on certain machines.

Do you use weights to tone or bulk? *
Both....as mentioned above, I have lifted for the past 17 years at 4-5 days a week, even through two pregnancies. I LOVE muscle definition and fortunately can put it on very easily. I love lifting heavier weights and will typically go heavy until I think I need to tone back down some. I currently weigh about 131, am 5'6" and maintain around 12% body fat and wear a size 0. All that to say, I pretty much stay toned all the time, but since I do put on muscle like crazy, I have to constantly alter my toning and bulking or people think I'm getting ready for a show. I personally wouldn't say I'm bulky, but I'm very defined.

Do you prefer to work out alone, or with a buddy? *
I typically prefer to work out alone as I stay pretty intense during my workouts. However, anytime I can get a chance to work out with the hubby, I'll always take that.

What time of day do you prefer to work out/ what time of day do you have to work out due to work/family/etc?
I tend to work out during lunch as much as I can as it just works with my work schedule the best. I refuse to work out in the evening once I'm home from work as I believe my kids deserve that time from me. If I have to work out at night, I wait until they go to bed and then I head to the gym.

[mpal82]

I go around 5 or 6 times a week. I like to warm up with about 10 min of cardio then lift for about 40-50 min and do 10 min of abs and finish with 10 min of cardio so about an hour and a half

sometimes I'll hoop afterwards I max out at a couple hours or so.

I also try to play tennis once or twice a week. Basketball once or twice a week.

I work out one muscle group a night with a small focus on a complimenting muscle like main focus on back and small focus on biceps and reverse it later in the week.

Just got some new core equipment looking to try it this weekend after some other projects.