How do you work out?

[ColsTiger]

So I've had a membership to the gym forever! But i never go. Well, i finally found a workout buddy and if I can get him on the ball, i'll finally be going regularly. I'm already pretty lean. But I'm wanting to build up in certain places. Chest, shoulders, arms and legs and ass. :P Just a couple areas.

So do you have any favorite workouts or secret tips on gettin results?

I like the treadmill, but I'm an old fart. I never liked going to the gym. When it was popular, I was really into the Racquetball scene; I would go two or three times/week. Bikes are great, but it takes a while to build up your endurance. It's also hard to ride a bike when it's raining outside.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Hang around fat people.

[Youngbinks]

^^exactly.

Protein supplements will help to add some quick muscle mass. You'll want to avoid too much cardio so you don't just burn off anything you've put on, unless you have a bit of pudge you're trying to get rid of.

[acosmichippo]

Hang around fat people.

yes, it's a lot of work to hold yourself up against their combined gravitational pull.

[kokogirl]

I like to run, but my knee is bad now, so I do the elliptical machine a lot. I do run some, but only in circuits with weight training. I will jog a lap, then do some squats, then run a lap and do some abs, etc.... Now, this is not what the men at the gym usually do. But it burns a lot of calories (I am not naturally lean).

You may want to hire a trainer, (or find a friend who knows the proper form) so you do not hurt yourself. Also, if you do the exercises with proper form, they will do more good by isolating the correct muscle.

There are also lots of books that give examples of workouts with pics of proper form. I started with Body for Life by Bill Phillips. It helped me learn how to eat better and taught me form on many basic exercises. I think Men's Health has some good articles and workout plans. I enjoy reading that magazine (even as a girl), and it is not as into the steroid-men as Muscle & Fitness.

I can discuss the gym stuff forever. I love my workin' out. (I also love my eatin', so it evens out)

[Hayesimus]

well my knee/knees are not very sturdy. They hurt pretty badly when I do squats and the like. I'm really wanting to go crazy with the butterflies. And I've tried protein shakes and they don't seem to help me. And also... I just died laughing at acosmichippo's story. Totally made my day! LOL

[acosmichippo]

if you've got bad knees, you should definitely give swimming a shot.

i've got an ankle that's pretty f'ed up, so i had to pretty much quit all of the athletic activities i used to do (primarily basketball), and start swimming. I like it much more than i thought i would. It forces you away from everything... you can't hear anyone else's crappy music blaring on the other side of the room, or clanking of weight machines, or humming of treadmills, or cars honking as they're passing you by... and you can't exactly take your iphone with you. I've found it's better than just 'exercise'.

[kokogirl]

if you've got bad knees, you should definitely give swimming a shot.

i've got an ankle that's pretty f'ed up, so i had to pretty much quit all of the athletic activities i used to do (primarily basketball), and start swimming. I like it much more than i thought i would. It forces you away from everything... you can't hear anyone else's crappy music blaring on the other side of the room, or clanking of weight machines, or humming of treadmills, or cars honking as they're passing you by... and you can't exactly take your iphone with you. I've found it's better than just 'exercise'.

I do like swimming. I was training for a tri when I hurt my knee. Maybe I will swim some this weekend...

[Hayesimus]

well during the summer I usually swim almost every afternoon. Weather permitting. I havent started yet though. Maybe soon.

[acosmichippo]

the only thing to remember (well, not ONLY...) is that the stroke you use DOES matter. For instance, if you have bad knees, stay away from breast. Of course, it would be pretty obvious it was a bad idea pretty early in your workout.