Beginner Workout

Hey guys, OK - so I am waiting for insurance to approve my surgery. When I started looking into WLS I decided it was also time to get my good habits in order. I have been eating healther, cut out carbonated drinks, walking daily - basically trying to make the transition as easy as possible for me. So one of the things I promised myself was that I was going to join a gym. So I did! Actually, both my wife and I did together. But, mind you I am 46 years old, and haven't stepped foot in a gym since I was 18 - and even then, it was no picnic for me. So I found a friendly local gym - one that likes old fat guys - Fitness 19. Pretty basic gym, no real hardbodies there that I could see. So what do you guys suggest for a beginner workout? I was thinking of starting slow - treadmill, eliptical maybe the bike for 20 - 30 minutes, and work up to a better workout. What do you think - too much - too little? How long should a daily workout be? And how strenuous? Any advice would be great - thanks.

any trainers there to get you started? that would be the best start. just tell them your goals and go from there. now once you get the surgery you'll need to lay off the gym for a good several months. so i hope you bought the three month membership! anyway, to start i would suggest a lot of cardio, some lifting and maybe some of the new crap they push like classes of pilates or something. if you want to do weights then i suggest doing circuits. pick two compound exercises per body part and work your whole body with only 30 sec rest between sets. do the whole circuit three times. believe me, you'll be puffing hard if you do it right. of course you'll need to make sure you can move from one station to the other to make it work. hard to do if it's crowded. i would do this until your surgery at least three to four times a week. i would pick it up again for another month or two when you come back to it. after that, think about an int. lifting routine. always get your cardio in there somewhere. i think this is as good a start as any because you get cardio, weights, if you limit your rest to 30 sec. and the extra muscle will burn fat all day long. good luck........

Thanks for the response. I do have an appt set up with a trainer, and I will definitly work with them. Thanks for your input.

Unless it's a long run day, I like to be in and out in an hour.  I get there and stretch for 10 minutes.  I run for 30 minutes and lift for 20 minutes.  Sometimes I linger longer if I have more lifting to do but not usually. I think that 30 minutes of cardio 3-4 times is a good start.  As you get better at it, you can increase the time and intensity and there is really no limit on how much you do. As far as lifting goes, the older I get the more I like the Nautilus machines.  I still use free weights but the machines are really effective.  There should be little instructions on each one that will help with technique.  I'd hit all the major body parts a few times a week.  For a starter, I'd do 2 or 3 sets of 8-10 reps at a conservative weight.  That will ease you in and limit soreness.  As you get better and more used to it, you can change it up and do maybe 3 sets of 6-8 reps using more weight.

It's a new world for me - so glad to hear I'm on the right track. Thanks for your input. I talked with the gym guy today, and he agreed 20-30 mins 3-4 times per week. So - I'll start small and work up to it.