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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Gym workout'ers - how many calories do you burn each visit?

44 replies

MuckyAnthea · 21/11/2006 03:13

And whats your gym routine?

I work out for over an hour - 60 mins cardio, and 20-30 mins walking flat on the treadmill [just to wind my body and heart rate back down] I tend to burn off 600-800 cals. I go three times a week, and swim once a week too. Yet I have not lost weight, only inches around my arms and legs. I don't mind this, but am interested to hear about other peoples gym regimes and weight loss.

: )

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 23/11/2006 21:49

Yay, I have been considering starting a thread for gym bunnies so this is really interesting to read. I have no idea how many calories I burn except on the bike, which says 100 (10 mins interval training), but my word you all do a lot of cardio compared to me! I loathe cardio and just do 1500 m on the rowing machine then 10 mins on the bike. I am meant to do 5 - 10 mins on the stairmaster as well, but my god it is dull so I always tell myself I don't have time...

I also do free weights and weight machines for about 30 - 40 mins and have found it easy and satisfying to progress. I wasn't aiming to lose weight but to change my shape, and although I haven't lost many inches around my waist etc, I have built a lot of muscle which I can see and which is starting to balance out my body nicely. Plus I feel much fitter, and just like my body works better and moves more gracefully and easily.

Sorry to not really answer the original question but it is good to share experiences.

FrannyandZooey · 23/11/2006 21:51

Oh and I like Air, Dreadzone and Bentley Rhythm Ace when cycling - nice fast tempo with fluid sounds as mentioned to get into a zen sort of state

handlemecarefully · 23/11/2006 21:56

"I have built a lot of muscle which I can see and which is starting to balance out my body nicely. Plus I feel much fitter, and just like my body works better and moves more gracefully and easily. "

Good grief I'm beginning to fancy you from that description and I'm a hetero woman!

Actually, I think running on a treadmill has hampered me physically. It's help bugger my back. Stuck with low impact swimming currently.

FrannyandZooey · 23/11/2006 22:00

HMC I have a wonderful ability to delude myself which sees me through many a moment of crisis

when I say "a lot of muscle", I mean a lot for my ectomorph frame

I honestly could see the muscle appearing from the first week I started with the weights though, it was amazing

and I have a much better body image now - just feel more confident and more content with my shape

dinny · 23/11/2006 22:07

F&Z - please, your weights workout please?

handlemecarefully · 23/11/2006 22:09

Well good for you franny, if it helps you feel better about yourself that's what matters!

FrannyandZooey · 23/11/2006 22:16

Yes I don't care what I actually look like as long as I think I look alright HMC

Dinny oh dear I am not positive I know all the names of the things

I do squats with a fit ball and shoulder raises with 4 k weights

erm those biceppy lifts with 6 k

inner and outer thigh machine - 100lb and 80 lb

Chest press 5 k

Seated row 10 k

Tricep machine 3.5 k (god I struggle with that but they are looking quite good)

erm can't think of any more and dp wants the pc

I do as many reps as I can each time, usually 8 to 16 but with the free weights I do more as I am trying to strengthen my back before lifting heavier weights. 2 sets each time, sometimes with a pause in between and sometimes work my way round so I will move from one machine to another without a break, then do it all again.

MuckyAnthea · 24/11/2006 10:46

wow, so many great responses to my original question, its been really interesting reading everyones workout and gym experiences!

can someone advise me on how I can start to train myself to run. I have something in mind like 5 minutes walk - warming up, then hit the speed button on the treadmill so I am at running speed for say 3 minutes, then slow it down to walking pace for 3/4 minutes, then start it all over again. If I continue this for say 30 mins, do you think its a good way to start? The following week I would increase the running to walking ratio.

Oh and my IPod is invaluable in the gym, I could not even comprehend doing a work out without it, I have to listen to very fast music and it has to be loud. This week I am mostly listening to Faithless Greatest Hits, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and few fast Primal Scream tracks. I forgot about Dreadzone! so will download some this weekend to add to my workout playlist.

Can I also ask how old you all are, I am 33, I started putting weight on when I was 28, before then I had always been slim. I have started losing weight since last year, and this year I vowed to get myself fit, so I will be my desired weight by the time I am 34 in May 2007!!

OP posts:
loopity · 24/11/2006 11:10

Hi MA
That's pretty much how I started running, so go for it and let us know how you get on

I'm four years older than you, have 3 lo's (youngest is almost 2). I'm average weight for my height (5'4 and 9 and half stone) but would really like to get back to just over 9. Pre-children I weighed less than 9 stone but have accepted that I won't be able to reach or maintain that weight now!

(Just an idea - why don't you join us on one of the weight loss threads? I'm on the lose 10lbs one - have lost 5lbs already)

Marls001 · 26/11/2006 00:10

MA - Yes; join us on the other thread ...

I'm 37. Had DS1 at 34; DS2 2.5 months ago. Gained 30 lbs with DS1 and lost them 6 months later; then gained back 6 of them and lost them by one year out ... Had DS2 Sept. 3rd. Gained 40 lbs when pg with him ... lost 30 by now, but 10 pounds to go and I think they will be VERY stubborn due to my age, etc.

MY DH put me on a weights program. I'm lucky in that I live with someone who put himself through University by being a personal trainer ... and he exercises regularly, so we motivate each other that way; makes it easier ...

I'll provide his program in detail if anyone's interested. I'm only getting to the gym once/week (Sat), but when I leave my hands are shaking. I could cut it in 2 or even 3 for easier workouts, I suppose, but don't want to take the time. Then Sundays I go for a long run. That's it - maybe 20 minutes of jumping rope 1 day in the interim. I like to be efficient, not really spend too much time on it ...

dinny · 26/11/2006 07:27

yes, please, Marls (re programme)
F&Z, ta for yours, most useful!

MA - make sure you're not trying too run too fast at first, start a little more than fast walking pace and increase from there when you get hang of it.

Marls001 · 27/11/2006 16:35

Dinny - sorry for delay; have been ill. Will put weight room routine if you're still interested onto this thread in next day or so ...

laneydaye · 27/11/2006 16:39

do 10 mins on x trainer ---100 cals
10 mins on bike----100 cals
10 mins on rower---100 cals
10 mins on stepper----- 100 cals
then run for 15 mins---roughly 100 cals

some are slightly over 100 and some slightly under but it works out roughly around 500 cals 3 x per week..

dinny · 27/11/2006 21:58

yes please, Marls

Marls001 · 30/11/2006 01:27

Hi Dinny ? Finally!

Pounds to lift: Begin with whatever weight allows you to only do the below number of repetitions, before being unable to continue. Then when it gets easier, use a heavier weight. It?s okay to keep with one weight for months, though you might work up quickly in some exercises.
There should be two different kinds of exercises for every major muscle, and takes me just over an hour to do it all. If you do them quickly, going from exercise to exercise, you will get a cardio workout as well so it's kind of like 2 in one - a real time-saver so you're only at the gym once or twice a week.

Exercise (sets)[repetitions]:

CHEST AND BACK:
Chest Press (3-4)[8-12]; Row Machine (3-4)[8-12]; Swiss Ball Push-Ups (2-3)[as many as you can do]; Chin-Up Bar ? holding chin-up position (2)[for as many seconds as you can];

CORE AND BALANCE:
Core Raises ? plank position, alternating R leg & L arm up, & then switching to other leg/arm up(2-4)[10 seconds each]
YOGA: Crow position (2)[10 seconds]; Backbend (1)[as long as you can]; plough position (1)[long enough to stretch out after backbend]; updog/downdog(1+); standing splits, airplane & half-moon (1 each side)[just flowing through them as needed]

LEGS:
Walking lunges (2)[12-15]; Stiff-legged deadlifts with dumbbells (2)[8-10]; Abductor (2)[8-12]; Adductor (2)[8-12]; Lying hamstring curl with Swiss ball ? lying on back, feet on ball, pulling ball toward your body & then away (2)[10-15]; Single-leg squat, bodyweight (2)[5-10] OR Leg Extension Machine (2)[8-12]; Donkey Calf machine (2)[15-25]

STOMACH:
Crunches on Swiss ball (2)[40+] OR Swiss ball stomach tucks - in pushup position, rest calves or feet on top of ball & bring knees to chest, then back out (2)[10]; Weight ball obliques ? holding weight ball, making an arc with it to either side of your body while legs are lifted off the ground (2)[20-30] OR Oblique twists with weight ball ? in pushup position, squeeze ball between feet ? then rock one foot toward the ground, then the other, count of 10 (2)[10]

ARMS AND SHOULDERS:
Forward dumbell raises (2)[8-12]; Side dumbell raises (2)[8-12]; Dumbell overhead press (3)[8-12]; Dumbell bicep curls (2)[8-12]; cable machine (bicep) curls (2)[12-15]; cable machine (tricep) pull-downs (2)[12-15]; tricep dips - with bodyweight (2)[8-12]

MuckyAnthea · 07/12/2006 07:34

Hey Marls
That looks like a great strengthening workout. Thanks for posting this. I will remember to write it down for future reference. I really need to start lifting weights now and your workout looks really effective.

I have had a week off from the gym recently, I last went last Wednesday, did a really good workout, but the next day felt like I had a been in the boxing ring with Scarey Spice. My whole body ached. Worried I had picked up some kind of virus, I took a few days off. I have been walking this week mainly, and then today I went swimming and it felt really really good. I swam 30 lengths breast stroke, then alternated every 5 lengths with back crawl and then breast stroke and repeated until I got to 70 lengths.

Felt good to be back exercising, I never thought I'd say that, but its true. Its more of a mind thing with me, and it just feels 'right'.

Hope you are all keeping up the good work!
MA : )

OP posts:
MuckyAnthea · 11/12/2006 08:30

Hi gym'ers!!
Its Monday, it's a new week!
Hows everyone's gym sessions going?
I swam a mile today, a good way to start off the week. Although I have some hob nob biscuits peaking at me, but I shall hold back, yes I shall!!

Mucky A : )

OP posts:
Marls001 · 13/12/2006 00:19

Hi Mucky ... currently between computers ... have 2 new workouts just for variety, from a trainer I've been seeing at our new gym (switched from our old one)... have only been doing them for 2 weeks (so twice each one), but they seem to be effective. Areas most worked are the lower stomach and lower back. For me the weights she recommended are less than what I'm using for the below - More about balance, cardio and continuous movement, as much about weight loss, and less about overall strength than the below. When I get set up on new computer, if you are interested, could post them too.

dontgivethedogsprouts · 13/12/2006 22:58

This has been interesting reading, as I joined a gym in June last year. hadn't been in a gym since I was about 18. (I'm now 32.) When I joined last June, I weighed 11st 13lb (I am 5ft 4ins tall) and was a dress size 14 - 16. I combined my gym routine (three times a week ideally, cardio and weights) with sensible eating and lost 2 stone in about 7 months. It came off at a steady 2lbs a week. More recently, I do have long lapses, and have gained a few pounds. I've recently been looking after my Mum who had a stroke, so haven't been able to go to the gym until this week. I usually cycle there, about 15 mins it takes, then I walk for 5 mins on the t/mill, and do a 20 - 25 min jog at speed between 8.5 - 9.6. I then vary between x trainer, stepper and rower and then do some weights before finishing off with some abs work on the gym ball. I'm hoping to stick to my routine now, and stop having the lapses. It's so easy to lose motivation.
You all sound like you do really well.

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