Explain sets and resting in between

[FootSoreandFamcyFree]

So I am new to the gym. I had an induction session where I was told to do 30 minutes of cardio then use the weights machines. There are about 6 machines, each works different muscles. I was told to do 3 sets of around 12 reps resting in between each set. If each machine works different muscle groups is it ok to move from one to the next doing one set on each without resting. Or do I really have to sit there for 2 minutes between each set and do one machine at a time?
TIA as I say I am completely new to all this but want to build some muscle to help with weight loss.

In what way is your foot 'knackered', @Kittycat43 ? Is it just a lack of strength due to not exercising, or did you get injured - if the latter, I'd not take up exercise without seeing a doctor or physiotherapist. If there are no such issues, I would use the induction at the gym to check what type of exercise the trainer considers best for your foot.

Online, I have found Dr. Jo excellent for advice and exercise suggestions for all kinds of aches and pains. She is a doctor of physiotherapy and has lots of videos on YouTube.

Regarding Caroline Girvan, she is wonderful but definitely not for beginners. I appreciate that some people love the gym, but it just isn't for me. I love working out with her at home, in peace, while listening to the radio. All I need is a few sets of dumbbells, a mat and a resistance band - it has become a daily ritual which sets me up for the rest of the day. I found her workout series life-changing!

@PaminaMozart plantar fasciitis was the original suspicion as it hurt to walk on after sitting for a certain length of time and on waking. Physio concurred and said calves tight too. Had shock wave therapy on it and it seems a lot better but still not quite up to running. Certainly don't think I'd be able to do e.g.a hit class.
I don't really like the gym tbh and would rather work out at home but I do like the pool and the local council
Pool is grim. Maybe I could stick with the river for my swimming and ditch it and save cash and my embarrassment! There was nobody free to speak to from
The gym staff today but managed to work a few machines and feel better for going as I always do !

@FootSoreandFamcyFree sorry I hijacked there. As an aside I noticed plenty of people taking their rest ON the machine so I think you're fine !

No you weren’t rude @EmpressaurusOfCats

He, on the other hand, was extremely rude. I suspect he only did it because you’re a woman. Tell him you’re not finished yet. or tell him to fuck off.

The only reasonably polite way of doing g that would have been for him to ask if he could jump in while you’re taking your rest break. But if you’re lifting different weights that’s also a bit complicated.

I'm angry on your behalf. He was an arse. If he tries it again, tell him to eff off and warn the staff that a man is hassling you.

We are also expected to wipe down equipment between users which would get a bit excessive if people worked in constantly.

You don’t have to share if you don’t want to. After his behaviour, I wouldn’t!

No 😂 it’s a total gimmick. You don’t get the gains without the effort.

Thank you! Hoping I won’t encounter him again.

Sorry to hijack but wanted to ask something. I've been going to the gym and using machines, gradually using higher weights and feeling great afterwards.
I posted on here asking if what I was doing was right and got told that what I was doing was a total waste of time and I don't think I've actually been back since cos I felt so disheartened!
Can anyone help/advise me?

What do you think you're doing wrong? What's your routine?

It’s hard to know what effect your programme has from what you’ve posted.

What lifts do you do ? what weight do you lift , and how many reps and sets?

What’s a standard workout for you and how many times per week?

Seated dip 40lb 3 x8
Arm curl 30lb 3 x 8
Abdominal crunch 30lb 3 x 8
Calf press 55lb 3 x 8
Leg press 40lb 3 x 8
Prone leg curl 30lb 3 x 8
Leg extension 25lb 3 x 8
Hip abduction 40lb 3 x 8
Back extension 40lb 3 x 8
Tricep extension 40lb 3 x 8
Diverging seated row 20lb 3 x 8
Rotary torso 30lb 3 x 8 each side
Lat pull 40lb 3 x 8

This is what I was doing, 3 times a week and some cardio.

Well I’d say you do need a new programme which includes the 3 main compound lifts: squats, deadlifts, bench press.

There’s very little for your legs in there and it looks like it’s all machines - which are OK. as accessories but you need to get comfortable with a barbell and dumbbells.

Looking at your routine I can’t really see what you’re aiming for. It looks a bit random. But the main thing is that you need to do some all body compound lifts. IMO

What are your sims? To get fit, to grow muscle? To body recomp?

What you’re doing is definitely not a waste of time, being in the gym and doing anything is great. Do try and vary what you do though, do one day a week of this programme and then get a different programme for the other days. You’ll only be working the same specific muscles every time if you do the same thing every time, so only those parts will get stronger and leave you unbalanced in other areas. Also there are a million different things you could do in the gym that will work other muscles and help gain overall strength, and keep it from getting boring. Free weights are the most versatile

I agree with @BedZwift if you enjoy what you’re doing, then keep at it @Sorrytomoan

But if you have specific strength goals, there are better ways of doing it. What you’re currently doing doesn’t seem to be a programme of progressive overload or aimed at developing any specific skills or strength.

Have a look at MegSquats on YouTube. She has a very good guide to starting out in the gym. She has an online programme that you pay for, but a lot of free resources. Similarly, Jason and Lauren Pak have great Instagram content and a paid-for programme.

Those are the two I find really inspiring, but very down to earth and achievable.

And if you really want to make progress, it could be worth paying for an online programme for a few months to get an idea of programming a progressive programme for yourself. For example, I work with a PT but he doesn’t tend to give me a programme outside of sessions, so I use Stronger by the Day, which fits really well with what I do in PT sessions.

Thank you that's really helpful.

I looked round when I was in the gym this morning - totally normal for people to sit on the machines either drinking or playing with their phones during rests. So that’s fine 😀.

I also found a sign asking people to share ‘when it’s busy’. But presumably it doesn’t count as busy when half the machines are free.

Thanks for the support everyone.

There seems to be a lot of people here advising op to do things that aren't really necessary. She's a beginner, and pushed for time. It's fine to do cardio before weights, unless you're gunning for a pb on the weights all the time. It combines cardio with warm up, and saves time.

Good point @Watchkeys if you’re lifting 8k dumbbells. But if you want to lift heavy you need to do that first. I now know how much fatigue sets in between sets especially deadlifting - first set, 75 k flies up, but building up by the time I get to 95 kilos I can feel the fatigue after a set.

It’s totally ok to sit on your phone for a few mins between sets. If someone asks to work in with you though it’s accepted etiquette to let them. So you’re sharing the machine both of you want. I only ever ask to work in if I’m short on time and really just need to get this specific thing done, otherwise I’d wait and come back when they were finished.
i always take note of how the other person has set up the machine so I can return it to them how they left it when it’s their turn.
No you don’t have to share but this is generally what is expected in gyms, even when it’s not busy

@SideWonder

If the PT is good, they won't have OP 'lifting heavy' as a beginner. There's a process to go through that takes months before you get to that, via endurance, before progressing to strength power. It's ok to do cardio first, in that scenario, and doesn't denote a poor PT.

Sorry to hear you got disheartened. I can't imagine if you fo to gym, do exercises, gradually use higher weights and feel good can be a waste of time. Be wary of people giving advice. There are tons of fitness opinions and all claim to have research behind them. Head back and do your thing! You'll be great 😊

Thank you :)

No he was rude