Tuesday 22 January 2008

First session finished! phew! I'm knackered!

I was looking forard to my first session. This was a new thing for me to try, and it turned out to be good!

I started on a treadmill. I did 2 minutes at level 4(mph?) and then one minute at 5. I alternated like this until 10 minutes had gone by. Started to get a little sweat on, but I was feeling good.

Second thing was the cross trainer. I had used one of these before, and I thought they were instruments of torture! Turns out I just didn't know how to use it. Yeah, how silly do I feel now?
I spent another 10 minutes on this switching from levels 2 and 3 each minute. By now I was sweating nicely. Nice.

The last instrument of torture was the cycle machine. This was another one minute job as I switched between levels 2 and 3 each minute. This was my half hour of cardiovascular work. I felt good. I had a nice amount of puff taken out of me, and my legs were just getting to that wobbly stage that lets you know you're still very unfit.

At this point my instructor asked what is it I hoped to get out of the whole gym experience. I replied "I'm not totally sure. I want to get fit, but also put a bit of muscle weight on at the same time." He said "That's fine. I'll put you on a system that does each of those in smaller amounts."
So, after half an hour of nice leg work and a good warm up, I moved to the resistance machines. You know, the ones with the pegs and weights.

First thing was the leg press. This was easy for me. I've always been gifted with strong legs. I think had I not done the first half hour on the other machines, this would have been very easy. As it turned out, it was a nice exercise to get my thighs warm and feeling taught.


The next machine was the chest press. This involved sitting upright with two handles just beyond shoulder width and pushing out. I did this a total of 24 times. Three lots of eight.
This hurt. I struggled for the last few, but I completed my reps.

The next one involved pulling the weights from above my head to my sternum. No idea what this one was called, but it was hard! It worked my back and chest. I think. This was a good one with 3 x 8 reps again. I finshed these too.

The next one was my triceps. I asked about this one as it was really hard for me. My instructor said that you only use your triceps when lifting up and lifting out. I don't do either of those, so this one was REALLY hard!
Again it was 3 x 8 reps and I finished them. Just.

Last exercise was biceps. This was the same as triceps, but upside down. Kind of. Same thing again, 3 x 8 reps. I only managed 23 reps. I feel so ashamed!

This was the end of my workout. I'll be sticking to this plan until it gets too easy. Then I'll up it to maybe 3x10 reps. We'll see.

I feel good! Exercise is a good thing!

I'll post some pictures soon showing my progress.

1 comment:

M77XNE said...

Well done James, VERY proud of ya hun. As you exercise you will release 'HAPPY CHEMICALS' in your brain, hopefully this will also make you feel better in yourself.

I wanted to go gym tonight, but couldnt really as i had to have an injection at the dentist (yes, another excuse!!) I did go aqua aerobics lastnight though. Cant go gym tomorrow as we have parents evening GURRRR...
May be next week I will start gym, WHO KNOWS!

Well done once again.

Maxine
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