weight training - gym or Cathe or both?

[midwestchick]

Hi everyone,

Quick question! I know how important weight training is for weight loss/maintenance/toning, etc. How does everyone here get in their weight training? Cathe DVD's only? Weight machines at gym or home? Free weights or machines??

I have the BootCamp/ME DVD and feel the ME workout is a good weight training but as good as weight machines?

Opinions please

Thanks!
Heidi

 

[Mckmain]

Hi Heidi...I have gotten my wieght training from Cathe, P90X and mostly using Free weights from home. I am just not a gym person. I have a weight machine that attaches to the wall that I use also...Cathe has so many good workouts so it depends on what you are looking for...

 

[40something]

Free weights vs machines has been the on-going argument for years. MOF we just talked about this over on the Open forum recently. You can't go wrong with either choice and as was pointed out on the other thread...the best weight workout is the one you will actually do, free weights or gym machines.

For many, many years I have worked out exclusively at home with videos and free weights and I have always been in shape. So, do you NEED to go to a gym to get buff...no. I have a gym membership and only use it for the pool. I will occassionally use the weight room (I love the rowing machine and leg press) but my gym doesn't have a cable machine. We have a small local YMCA...basic set up...no frills but lucky to have it for a small town.

I love Bootcamp and ME. I would also strongly suggest you get the Hardcore Gym Style series. Cathe has other weight training workouts of course but I would spend my money on the Hardcores next, if I was you.

 

[EricaH]

I do both. I do free weights at home and machines at the gym. I do my very heavy lifting at the gym since I can't safely do it at home without a spotter.

ME is good for muscle endurance. For strength, my favorite Cathe workout is the chest portion of Slow and Heavy chest/back. I also think Cathe's Gym Style workouts are very good.

Erica

 

[kathryn]

I do all my weight training at home, to Cathe, but also to other video workouts (especially Beach Body workouts with Tony Horton, TLT's, some Firms, and a variety of others).

As for whether home training is as good as using weight machines, it depends on what you mean. Weight machines can allow you to lift heavier, because they stabilize your body and isolate muscles. This can help you get bigger, but it's not very functional.

Working with freeweights may not allow you to lift as heavy, but your body has to stabilize more, which is more functional.

The best, IMO, would be using free weights with safety racks, as in a gym, which would allow you to lift as heavy as possible with freeweights while still being safe.

If your goal is, as you state, weight loss/maintenance/toning, then home workouts can definitely help you reach that goal.

 

[Alhambra]

I do all of my weight training with Cathe's DVDs and free weights. I find my strength and muscle definition are wonderful with these. I was at the gym (having not done weights on machines in 5 years) and decided to see what I could do. As a result of workouts with Cathe and dancing I was doing an amazing amount on leg presses, inner and outer thigh (seeing numbers well above what I used to get when I went to the gym 3 times a week). The only thing I miss at home is the pull up machine (which lets you use part of your weight). Now that it's spring I'm going to the playground with my kids to do my pull ups.
For strength I'd recommend the Pyramids and the Gym Styles by Cathe. Pyramid upper body really challenges my biceps in particular. Gym Style chest gives me DOMS for 4 days. Gym Style Legs and Leaner Legs are amazing lower body weight workouts.

 

[LauraMax]

I do all my weight training at the gym. I really love the options a health club offers--between machines, squat racks, leg presses, smith machines, free weights.........my hats off to those of you who manage weight training at home.

Cardio & core on the other hand are done at home. My typical split ends up being about 5-6 hours a week at the gym, 5-6 hours a week at home.

 

[meow]

Hi Heidi

I used to go to gym to use the weights and weight machines, but now I only do my workout, even strength training, at home.

I find going to gym is very beneficial since there are many different machines to use different parts of your body. Sometimes using machines is much safer than using free weights since some of the machiens have support and safety lock on them. Also you can find a partner to go to gym with, as for working out at home, it's more difficult to invite someone over to workout with you i.e. "hey, what you doing tomorrow morning? Wanna come over at 7 a.m. and workout w/ me?"

I have free weights, barbell and many different weight weight-plates, and a bench. I still choose to workout at home cuz I find it more comfortable to make any strange noise at the end of each rep In another word, I can focus more on my workout. Besides, I get lazy going out. If the gym is right next to my house, then I might consider joining again.