Newbie to strength training, have 2 questions

[amaliap]

Hi everyone!

I'm a beginner to strength training, have mostly done a lot of cardio except for a couple of "chisel" classes at gym. As I am trying to lose weight, I understand the importance of strength training in addition to cardio. I know there are also many other benefits to strength training as well. Before I delve into it, I do have a couple of questions (they might be fairly stupid ones to you, but again I'm a novice. Forgive me)

1. Is there a particular amount that is recommended for weight loss? In terms of how many minutes, how many days per week? For example...are three sessions that last X number of minutes advisable for someone before they see results.

2. I am a member of a gym and they have a lot of classes. I would prefer to take these classes than use the actual equipment, only because I feel more disciplined that way. If the strength training classes (they usually have names like Chisel, Diesel, etc) are about 45 minutes per session, do these qualify as "strength training"? Some are a mix of weights and calisthenics, some are pilates classes using dumbbells, etc. I would think these are indeed strength training but I might be wrong.

Basically I'm just looking to see if there is a guideline for the appropriate amount of strength training for weight loss. I know that everyone does it for different reasons but I was genuinely hoping that paired with cardio exercise and healthy diet, I would see results sooner than later.

[Patrick]

Hey for your first question if would suggest setting down a solid program and i would do this in such a way maybe 3 days 45 min weight training and on the days between do cardio ie monday lift tuesday cardio wensday lift thursday cardio friday life saterday cardio sunday off somehting like that i woulnt go over an hour of lifting however

for your second question its all about confort and changing your lifestyle so the classes can help you come farmiliar with the equipment and workouting out however i would opt for a trainer for a couple weeks to get use to the workouts and such then maybe finding a training partner or something i perfer lifting myself instead of those classes

for more answers u may need to look into your diet alittle more post that too if you dont mind

[swanso5]

it's "said" that those who do at least 5 hrs of actual hard training a week (not yoga and such, actual intense training) are the one's most happy with their bodies

classes won't do much for in the long run

[swanso5]

If you are just starting out the classes can be a good way to show you new things and jump into them, figure out how to use the weights etc. As a part of a long term program, I really don't think they have much use.

i'd go the complete opposite

i don't think you can learn how to lifts wts properly in a class of 20+ people with no one on one attention, hence why a lot of the old school aerobic chicks complain of sore knees now

also the classes go for 45+mins and if you're a beginner, there's no way you can do 45mins of exercie PROPERLY for 45mins straight

not to mention the overuse of the calsses as well

[Boss Man]

Classes involving weight are a good way to get people used to them, in a way that is more social and hopefully non-intimidatory. People shouldn't feel intimidated by the instructor or others, who may have more aptitude or experience for such things.

As a serious way to stimulate a physical goal, such weight based classes are not ideal, but then you shouldn't view them as a serious aid to physical change, merely an adjunct process or element.

[swanso5]

if you feel intimitaded then get a new gym

[Boss Man]

if you feel intimitaded then get a new gym

You might get the same problem there though, or have no other Gyms near enough. I imagine for some people, some classes can be daunting, when you see experienced people in there, as the vast majority of classes aren't geared for beginners anyway, they're open house for people of all backgrounds and experience, except maybe for very high impact ones or advanced Yoga classes perhaps, so you won't just be training with people of your own standard, plus some women might find it a little awkward, if you get a mix of females and sweaty guys in there, as opposed to a class where most if not all will be women, because it's a class most guys wouldn't be interested in, like Pilates for example.

[PandorasVise]

Hi everyone!

I'm a beginner to strength training, have mostly done a lot of cardio except for a couple of "chisel" classes at gym. As I am trying to lose weight, I understand the importance of strength training in addition to cardio. I know there are also many other benefits to strength training as well. Before I delve into it, I do have a couple of questions (they might be fairly stupid ones to you, but again I'm a novice. Forgive me)

1. Is there a particular amount that is recommended for weight loss? In terms of how many minutes, how many days per week? For example...are three sessions that last X number of minutes advisable for someone before they see results.

2. I am a member of a gym and they have a lot of classes. I would prefer to take these classes than use the actual equipment, only because I feel more disciplined that way. If the strength training classes (they usually have names like Chisel, Diesel, etc) are about 45 minutes per session, do these qualify as "strength training"? Some are a mix of weights and calisthenics, some are pilates classes using dumbbells, etc. I would think these are indeed strength training but I might be wrong.

Basically I'm just looking to see if there is a guideline for the appropriate amount of strength training for weight loss. I know that everyone does it for different reasons but I was genuinely hoping that paired with cardio exercise and healthy diet, I would see results sooner than later.

As a woman who has struggled her whole life being overweight (and still working on it), muscle makes the difference. You will not get man muscles as a woman. Three times a week, it usually takes about 30 - 40 minutes for a session and cardio for about 20 minutes twice a week, if you like cardio or just like the social aspect of the classes, more than 20 won't hurt.

When it comes to weight training, form is important, so you don't get hurt, and so is the weight you lift. You will not get any benefit from those pretty pink one pound weights. Visit a personal trainer once or twice to learn proper form. I don't live near any gyms, so I got a video program when I started. What was great was writting down the pounds I used and how hard it was, so I could go higher the next time i did the exercise. I loved having a visual record of how well I was doing, for when the scale refused to move, those numbers still went up. If you only feel disciplined in a group, maybe you could find a friend that will workout with you and challenge you to excel.

Usually the mix of cardio and resistance will help with endurance, but I don't know what these (chisel and deisel) classes are like. I wouldn't take away weights for anything and do them before any cardio. Nothing brings out a body quicker because the muscle you gain will burn fat for hours after weight training. You will be stronger, feel stonger and pushing yourself to be the strongest and best you can be, builds character.

~Patty