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Gym newbie - quick question regarding workouts

29 replies

pollythecat · 08/01/2026 23:07

I have joined a gym. Realistically I am not going to be able to go more than twice a week. Three times at most but it will likely just be twice. I have friends with loads of spare time who go multiple times a week and have set leg / arm / booty / core days. This isn’t going to work for me if I’m not going that often.

So I asked chatGPT to do me a beginners full body workout which I have done twice this week. Comprised of warm up on treadmill or bike, leg press, chest press, shoulder press, ab crunching machine and I also did some weights. Then finished with 5 minutes on the cross trainer. This felt achievable to me. But will it really do any good if it’s a full body thing just twice a week rather than focusing on specific areas?

I am trying to make healthy changes with the very limited time and resources that I have available to me so I feel like something is better than nothing. But also I want to feel like it’ll actually be benefitting me and isn’t totally pointless. Anyone in the know have any advice?

OP posts:
MaraScottie · 08/01/2026 23:22

Absolutely not pointless. Don't shy away from the weight either, it's really important to build and maintain muscle as we get older. 2 full body workouts if done consistently will absolutely make a difference.

If I were you I'd get a program by a PT and get it evaluated every 6 to 8 weeks.

Fatrascal27 · 08/01/2026 23:20

People over complicate gym stuff. That routine looks ok for general fitness. Ask the gym to give you a routine? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a full body workout.

twice a week is good! More than worth it.

pollythecat · 08/01/2026 23:19

Wizardonabroom · 08/01/2026 23:17

It really depends on what your goals are. You say healthy changes- do you mean weight loss or more around developing muscular strength or endurance?

Weight loss, general fitness. Just very aware that I’m getting older and need to do a bit more in the way of future proofing my body. Other than daily dog walks I have not exercised (weights, gym etc) in years. So I thought signing up and just doing what I can would be a good first step. But I can’t help feeling it might be a bit pointless if I’m not able to go more often.

OP posts:
Wizardonabroom · 08/01/2026 23:17

It really depends on what your goals are. You say healthy changes- do you mean weight loss or more around developing muscular strength or endurance?