Flyweight ... a question.. ??

[traciB]

Hi Flyweight,

I saw in one of your posts that you were a gymster but you now work at home and you think that results can be achieved with home workouts.
I found that interesting seeing that you have done both. I have always worked out at home and I used to think the same but recently I went to the gym with a friend and tried the machines and they felt so much more effective... I am beginning to rethink my position. Can someone get as cut as Cathe just using dumbells, barbells and their own bodyweight ??
Out of curiosity too... you mentioned having a pullup bar.... how many pullups can you do ???

 

[Flyweight]

I don't think there is any one right way for everyone. Even when I was at the gym, I didn't work out with machines much...I headed to the free weight area. At some point, I decided I could just do it all at home with a minimal $$ investment and it would save me the cost of the membership. If you look at the cut guys at the gym, you'll see that most of them are in the freeweight area.

Check this guy out: http://www.rosstraining.com/ . He's really cut, even for a guy. He advocates lots of bodyweight exercises and even wrote a book called "Never Gymless". His whole philosophy is that a gym membership is a waste of money. I tend to agree. I didn't like machines much because they don't allow as much range of motion as free weights.

I'm curious about what feels "more effective" about the machines to you? Did you feel a little sore later? Maybe that just means that there are other muscles you haven't exercised for a while.

I'm not sure what Cathe's routine is, but I do know that people are cut, defined, etc. not so much because of doing tons of weight exercises, but rather it's because THEY HAVE VERY LOW LEVELS OF BODY FAT. That's what makes people look cut and defined. I've seen some very strong fat people who aren't cut because their body fat isn't low enough. Muscles LOOK bigger when all the fat's stripped away. That's why body builders undergo a big cardio phase before competitions -- they're stripping away the body fat to reveal the muscle. My boxing trainer is a tiny woman...she doesn't do weight training at all, but puts a lot into her boxing training. She has very low levels of body fat and is cut. Her diet is squeeky clean. Diet is probably 90% of what it takes to be cut.

As for the pull up bar, I have it up in one of my doorways and try to pull up a few times every time I pass by. It's the best exercise for shoulders and back. I can't do very many with only my own body weight, so I use light resistance stretch bands to help me up and then I go down slowly to get the benefit effect of the "negative" motion. I'm getting better though

 

[paxy]

I worked out only at home for years! I now have a gym membership and work out at home. I think with the right workouts you can get just at fit being a home exerciser. I go to the gym because as a stay at home mom I need to see the light of day and other people. I also find that going to live classes breaks up boredom. But for those who can't go to a gym or afford one, it is nice to know that you can be just at fit doing it in your own living room.

Cheryl

 

[fox2star]

Adding my 2 cents here... I have had a gym membership for 30 years and ithas no renewal fee. When I signed up 30 years ago, they had a special that they ran if you gave them $250 cash at that time, you had what they called a "Gold " membership with no yearly renewal. ( of course they no longer do this!). Anyway, I haven't gone there in 5+ years. I bought a treadmill, an Eliptical, weight bench and various weights and workout in my basement every day. I know I would not get to the gym and the time it takes driving etc would make me not go. I am up at 4:30 am and my workout is done before I go to work every day. This is the best for me.

 

[traciB]

Thanks for responding. "More effective" -eg. I usually do plie squats and leg lifts for inner thigh (while lying on my side) for inner thigh but I have never really felt any DOMS after but did so after using the machine.
I will continue to work out at home because it's less expensive, more convenient and I am more likely to stick with my w/o routine but the feel of the machines was tempting for a moment.
With regards to diet what you have said makes a lot of sense. I am still trying to find the right balance though and when I do hopefully I'll be that cut.
Way to go on the pullups !!!! I admire any woman who can use a pullup bar because I think it is THE HARDEST exercise around.