Can you confirm understanding on doing strength training?

[mm]

I am a *petite* female. goal is to lose 8-12 % + toning muscle all over including lose tummy. I am in the age range of 35-45.

I saw the discussion on Ab and read the topic "Core". AT http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/core-s ... 47&slide=1, I saw the slides show and alaos read tips by davinci and swans05.

The impression I get is that no weight is needed to accomplish strengthening and toning muscles. But I am concern about being bored. I used to belong to a Gym and had used the weight training machine on and off basically for general well being.

I was thinking to get a power rack, a foldable bench, and free weights to do strength training and toning up. Then at http://www.workoutideas.com/home-gyms.html, I saw thee Home Gym units and noticed that some were around $300 - 700 only which I can afford. Examples are
(1) Body Solid Powerline Plate Loaded Gym - $329
(2) Stamina Band Flex Gym Fitness System -$279
(3) Stamina Gyrotonic Transformer 1000 Complete Home Gym - $249
(4) Body Solid EXM1500S Home Gym ($679)
(5) Body Solid EXM1700S Home Gym -$ 799 ( says fully adjustable)

BUT, I don't know how good the above are. I also realoized that power rack is for serious weight trainers to big bulky muscle which I won't be.

I don't mind getting started on exericse without buyign any stuff - I do have a 3 lb dumbell and I just bought a 55cm ball and a yoga mat to try pilates but I think Pilate is too hard and slow for result - but if I get bored, any recommendation on home gym unit? If objection to these units, I am all ear. I am not that keen to sepnd money but I do need get serious about this extra weight and need to get stronger and so I started thinking about getting home equippment to help me get motivated. But I will do the most logical thing. Any suggestion or recommendation?

[bigiz123]

it would be a lot cheaper if u just got a membership to a gym as well as a personal trainer who could help you reach your goal in the shortest time possible, i personally find those ab machines or bowflex type things worthless

[mm]

it would be a lot cheaper if u just got a membership to a gym as well as a personal trainer who could help you reach your goal in the shortest time possible, i personally find those ab machines or bowflex type things worthless

I won't buy those machine anymore. I will buy an inclined bench and free weights. I am debating about joining 24Hrs because I have to get onto highway though it's not too far time-wsie. May be I'll do the 4 days options.

[swanso5]

a bench, db's, a bb and some wt plates are all you really need for home...depending on how motivated you are you could do it at home but if you need the gym for motivational purposs, then go there...bodyweight stuff will work for a short time but like all exercise you will need to make it harder once benefits stop as in weight training...home gym units are usually not that great for there cost as they are "machine" based where freee wts are more "natural" movements

[SarahPT]

I agree with an adjustable bench, barbell, plate weights, dumbbells. You've got yourself a great workout. It's all you need. If you wanted to go a step futrther a pull ups station can be great.

Sarah

[mm]

a bench, db's, a bb and some wt plates are all you really need for home...depending on how motivated you are you could do it at home but if you need the gym for motivational purposs, then go there...bodyweight stuff will work for a short time but like all exercise you will need to make it harder once benefits stop as in weight training...home gym units are usually not that great for there cost as they are "machine" based where freee wts are more "natural" movements

I am definitely getting free weights and bench aside from joining the gym for 4 days. In fact, I just joined 24 Hr today after I called the sale person I had talked to last summer and then in fall. attemtp to join in Fall didn't happen because of family guests from oversea and weird scedule.
I mentioned about $20 for 4 days offer letter they sent me a while back (in fall) which he was offereing to me as well at the time. He gives me 20.99 with $79.99 for processing fee w/ no contract. When I called yesterday when he wans't here, it was $30/mo + 20 initiation fee + 119 processing fee.

Since I don't go to work - work from home - I need to get out and so I'll just go to the gym. Last week, I started a Pilates class at a college that meets twice a week and so I plan to go to the Gym in the morning and head to that class or go to the class and head to the gym in one outing. The class was just learning the moves more than anything. I am taking it with Credit/No Credit option.

I will start another class" walking/jogging" - at an extension which happens to be at a high school in neighborhhood - that meets twice a week on the days I don't go to Pilates. All this is to get me going with the exercise since I have been sedantry.

Now I have specific question about eating before the exercise. I'll start a new thread. BTW, I know about nutrition well enough.



for walking/jogging at a local college but the class is at a highschool near where I live. It will start next week meeting on Modnay and Wednesday at 6.