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Exercise

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Big Girl Gym Routine Help

10 replies

Uggmugg · 18/07/2021 23:31

Hello

Well, I've gone and done it and joined the gym. I'm the heaviest I have ever been and sneaking into a size 24. I'm not adverse to a bit of exercise it's just finding the time and motivation.

Anyway, I've been trying to find gym routines for very overweight people. I can find your standard ones that involve burpees which at my stage I don't find very efficient because I spend most of my time just getting off the floor.

I'm looking for a a routine that allows me to use the equipment at the gym effectively for my size that is also time efficient too. I need something to kick me off and get me to standard of fitness where I feel like I could join a class.

I dont think I am using the correct search terms as I am struggling to find something for the gym as opposed to a home work out.

Any suggestions?

Thank you x

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 19/07/2021 06:26

Can the gym staff not help male up a program for you?

devildeepbluesea · 19/07/2021 06:27

I second asking the gym instructor to sort a programme for you.

Dreamstate · 19/07/2021 06:45

I'm roughly same size as you.

I do all the weights machines ( we have ones that the guys use as they take more set up adjusting or the easy ones with pins 1 to 10)

I use the pin ones, quick to use.

For weights I do 4 set of 15 with 30 sec break in between at a level comfortable to you and then go heavier over time.

I also use the bike ( one where your sitting on a chair) more comfortable and do a 2 min warm up on an easy level and then I go hiit, so 30 seconds at a really hard level pushing 90 to 100 rpm then 1 min back on easy at about 77rpm then 30 secs back on hard ...I do that 4 times. Take a 5 min easy peddle and then do another set of 4. You have to build yourself up to doing 2 sets of 4. Then aa i find the levels easy i increase the levels.

And thats it. The weights will tone you and the hiit will improve your cardio quickly.

Dreamstate · 19/07/2021 06:48

The cycling hiit is basically my adaption of tabata training. It maximises your workout and you see results quickly in terms of improvement to your cardio and you don't feel need to spend an hour cycling!

Once I lose enough weight I'll take that routine and do that on the treadmill, e.g. 30 sec sprints 4 times, 2 sets.

Uggmugg · 19/07/2021 21:52

Thank you Dreamstate. That's what I was looking for.

It's a JD Gym so you're basically left to get on with it and if you want a routine you pay for a PT.

They do classes so I think I might join one but have a word with the Instructor beforehand to go easy on me until I can build up my cardio.

Thanks

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 19/07/2021 22:04

I dont like the gym as I'm not good at motivating myself. I go to classes and I'm a larger person (just under 16 stone). I do les Mills classes mainly and you work to your own levels and the instructor always gives lower impact options; I do pump, combat, attack and balance

Dreamstate · 19/07/2021 22:30

If they offer kettlebells class I would highly recommend it! Tones you up alot! I don't go anymore a si bought a kettlebell for home during lockdown so I just do the routine I learnt in class but at home.

itcouldhave · 19/07/2021 22:51

I would pay for a PT session with the aim of writing you a programme. You will need to be upfront about not just wanting to train regularly with a PT though because some of them in my experience use the initial query as a green light to book you in for sessions and never do you a programme.

I am larger and also have the problem of getting down onto the ground then up again, but I work around it in classes by asking the instructor for alternatives. They should be able to work around it and I’ve seen lots of people in classes doing alternatives to stuff they can’t do.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/07/2021 15:37

Warm up - 10 minutes on the rower at about 32 pulls per minute/ten minutes on a recumbent cycle.

Actual exercise - use the weights machines. Follow the instructions, make sure you are correctly positioned, don't go mad and don't do hundreds of reps on something you can't even feel, go for something you can just about do 8-10 reps of slowly and controlled before stopping, drinking some water and then doing another set, repeat. If you've overestimated what you can do, drop the weight down one pin or reduce reps by 2 until you can complete three sets.

Spent around 30 minutes moving between machines. You're too heavy right now for squats to be safe for your knees (I know this from experience), so make sure you include the Leg Press.

Warm down with another ten minutes on Rower or Recumbent.

Depending upon how you feel each visit, you might want to spend longer on the warm up/cardio element, you might need more leg work (or back, or arms). Listen to what your body is telling you.

Sorted. Do that around 3 times a week, chuck in an easy walk twice a week (or walk back from the gym if you can) of about a mile/20 mins and you'll start seeing a difference very quickly. Adding some gentle stretching or foam rollering can help recovery times. Drink loads of water, eat well, make sure you always have at least 24 hours between doing weights.

If you can, make at least one of those three sessions in a pool instead, so Aqua Fit or just swimming, as it will feel really good without causing impact injuries as a dry land class can do.

Classes are great for those who love them, but I know from direct experience that at size 24, you're dropping an awful lot of weight onto your feet, knees and hips before your muscles are strong enough to cope with it. And the pain of overdoing it because somebody's there shouting at you to put some more effort it, as this is fun, and you're aware that other people seem to be finding it easy is like nothing else.

lastqueenofscotland · 21/07/2021 12:29

Have a look at an insta account called Laura’s Fit To Live
She is a very big girl who comes up with a lot of short workouts for people starting out.

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