my gym assessment sort of sucked

[wyst]

I would actually recommend learning to lift with the free weights fromt the start. One of the most frequently neglected aspects of training is learning the skill of the lift. It can be rather depressing to spend a few months making progress on the machines then having trouble with the most basic lifts because the stabilizing muscles involved in a particular lift are weak, as well no real skill development.

Do it right the first time instead of spending time doing it over.

I agree. If you only do the machines that make everything easy and isolated, you can build up strength in just a few muscles, and when you need the stabilization when you start free weights, you can screw yourself up badly with a combination of too much and too little strength. At least, that was my experience.

If you're going to use something other than iron, cable-pulls seem like a better choice to me than nautilus type stuff, cos there's some wiggle room there.

Wyst

 

[mini_mouse]

starfish - what's a machine that's fitted for a woman look like?!

gladiola - thanks for the link, I've added muscleandfitnesshers.com to my 'favourites' and I'll go take a look around

spats - LOL, well I am of an enquiring nature so I am sure that any trainer I get will be sick to the back teeth of my questions by the second session! I was spying on the trainer I think I want in the gym last night actually. He seems to have a clientele of both advanced and amateur builders/gym-goers, so that is a plus in my book. I am wondering whether a male or a female would be better for me - but maybe I shouldn't limit my choices on gender. Anyway, if I do get a trainer I'll not do so for a couple more weeks. I won't be training for a week or two (after this week) so I don't want to make any appts. until I'm able to be consistent in my schedule. However, yes, I'll definitely keep you updated

wyst - yeah, I'm basically just using nautilus type machines at the moment. I asked after the cable-pull but, again, this lady was insistent that I shouldn't be so over-enthusiastic . I think I'll wait until I have someone to show me before I try it because, not only is it usually being used by the more territorial members of the gym, but I also don't want to make a complete tit out of myself when I end up locked in the crucifix position! I already looked like a moron when I went OTT on the gravitron and gravity seriously screwed me over midway through my final set

...I was so sure that I didn't push myself too hard the other day but I'm now a bundle of aches all over! Hopefully the splitting will prevent a repeat of this because, right now, I'm hobbling around like I've got a stick up my ass!

 

[Gladiola]

starfish - what's a machine that's fitted for a woman look like?!

Hopefully the splitting will prevent a repeat of this because, right now, I'm hobbling around like I've got a stick up my ass

My womens-only club has machines for women as well. They are simply smaller scaled for women's bodies. Otherwise they're the same type of machines.

Yeah, being sore EVERYWHERE at once is not fun. Doing heavy legs & then heavy back the next day last week left me with sore traps, rhomboinds, erector spinae, glutes, hams & quads.... I was a "pissy" lady!

 

[starfish]

LOL, That sounds funny..

I think they are smaller to fit your body better.. I'm short so sometimes the equipment is big on me. I have to adjust the heck out of it.

 

[mini_mouse]

oh okay. I wasn't sure whether you were kidding about machines to fit women or not! I didn't know there were such things. I'm of a medium-tall height so the machines seem to fit me okay, although I do spend half my time in the gym adjusting and readjusting them because I'm paranoid that they're not 'just right'.

Gladiola - yup, I'm aching everywhere and it's not fun at all. My inner elbows, shoulders and biceps are what ache the most ... and the glands around my jaw for some reason . I think I overdid my arm exercises because they're the muscles I want to tone and build the most. Oh well, I guess it's a lesson learnt!

 

[FitFossil]

I've worked w/ trainers of both genders, and gender itself didn't make any difference, only their knowledge and enthusiasm for training. I like someone who'll push me, not dangerously, but beyond myself.

That overall soreness you're getting will soon be a thing of the past. Just don't overdo too much at the beginning. Allow time for rest. Not only are your muscles adapting, but so are your joints and ligaments. Take your time and build a solid foundation to keep yourself injury-free down the road. Before you know it, you'll be disappointed if you work a muscle really hard and it doesn't stay sore for x number of days.