Weights or aerobics???

[jasminesmum]

I am going to join the gym.


Should I just do weights or aerobics? I haven't got time to do both. I just need to tone up A LOT and lose about 3-5kgs.

Thanks.

[poshBecks]

Probably weights then.

[mom2jake]

Hey Jasmines mum...
My df is a personal trainer and I asked him for some advice for you...

He said if you can spare 40mins a day then it would be best to alternate the 2.Doing weights one day then cardio the next and so on.Good luck

[jasminesmum]

Thanks for that.

[babylover111]

Or maybe if you like the groups setting you could go for a pump class?

[viperpt]

I am a personal trainer as some may know..
Personallly you need to do both. The more muscle fibre you have the more efficently you body burns fat.. Infact up to 150 extra calories per day and thats when you are resting.. I would alternate between aerobics to shift the fat and weights to make you more lean and look more toned..

[viperpt]

Or maybe if you like the groups setting you could go for a pump class?

With the pump class you arnt actually "tonning" sure you are doing squats chest press etc.. Pump is more a cardio workout because it goes for an hour.. Your body is built up or three main working systems the Phosphate system (muscle building) lactatic system and the aerobic system.. Anything that goes longer then 5 mins is considered aerobic.. The only way to gain more muscle fibre is to do lower reps and higher weights.. Doing the same weight over and over is not challenging to your muscle's once they can "already do it" Its the same if you run on a tredmill for 20 mins at 6.0 and you do the same thing for months on end... You will be able to complete it quite easily however you will not be "progressing" If you changed it to for eg 6.0 and an incline of 2 you will find it alot more challenging and the results will change.

[babylover111]

Yeah that makes sense, because once you want to up your weights you do lower your reps. I guess this is why I have a PT and couldnt manage while he was away for 2 weeks

[Ffrenchknickers]

Hey there Jsmum as you know I am a PT too. I agree that its best to do both weights and cardio.

I guess it comes down to how many times a week you can go and how long you can be there....

Because you have limited time I would advise also that you try and do some heavy weights with low reps (even once a week to start with and you will see results.) this will help you build muscle (which is what gives you the "toned" look.) It is actually more beneficial to have quite a few rest days between weights sessions anyway...gives your muscles a chance to recover and therefore grow.

The rest of the time do some cardio Don't worry too much about it yet, just get started and then figure out what is going to work for you and make sure you enjoy it! I am a big believer (and have seen over and over) that anything extra you do is going to give you results as long as you keep going forwards (doing just a little extra each time as VP said.)

LOL, that was a long sentence...basically, I think that you should do both but you dont have to do both every day. Good luck with it.

[jasminesmum]

Thanks for the great advice everyone.

I will give them a ring tomorrow and see what I can do.