Question:
ARE YOU LIKE ME? 5'3 LOST OVER 100 LBS NOW 165 WANTING TO LOSE 25 MORE LBS. I

I HAVE BEGUN CARDIO WORKOUT AT LEAST 4 PER WEEK KEEPING A HEART RATE OF 127 FOR ABOUT 30 MIN EACH SESSION. I ALSO AM DOING THE WEIGHT LIFTING TYPE MACHINES. MY DELIMMA IS: THEY WANT $900.00 AND 18 PERSONAL TRAINER SESSIONS TO TELL ME WHAT MACHINES AND HOW MANY REPS TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL OF 140 LBS WITHIN 4 TO 6 MONTHS. I KNOW I CAN DO IT BUT WOULD LIKE TO USE MY TOOL THE MOST EFFECIENT WAY. YOU KNOW MORE PROTIEN MORE WATER MORE EXERCISE. BUT WHAT KINDS AND HOW MANY REPS WILL ACHIEVE THE FASTEST MOST DESIREABLE RESULTS. I AM GOING TO THE GYM 4 OR 5 TIMES A WEEK. PLEASE HELP ME. SORRY FOR BEING LONG WINDED AND THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP. I LOVE THIS PLACE.    — Tammy P. (posted on April 29, 2003)

April 29, 2003
Achieving weight loss (burning fat) is different than building muscle by weight lifting. What weight machines to use, and how many reps and at which weights to do them, isn't really a weight loss question so much as a toning question. In other words, if you keep up with your aerobic (fat burning) exercise, you'll see weight come off just from that. If you also want to build muscle, which is a good thing because more muscle burns calories even when at rest, I can't imagine why they can't show you some of the machines *just once* (or perhaps, a gym member can help you), in order for you to get started at your own pace as far as weightlifting goes. Later, if you decide you really want to tone up as you get closer to goal, or if you want to get serious about weight lifting, you can still do that. IMHO, though, you shouldn't have to pay a personal trainer $900 to tell you to "burn fat by aerobic exercise," which is what your primary short-term goal is here.
   — Suzy C.

April 29, 2003
It may depend on the gym you belong to also. I have gone to the hospital gym here in my town, "state of the art", and when you sign up to become a member, they do an assesment(sp) on you such as your ideal goal, etc...You can tell them what areas you want to work on, and they will tell you what machines to use, how to use them, and how often.Maybe try another place if thats possible. Wish you luck...
   — Marie A.

April 29, 2003
Honey, don't wasted your time with expensive stuff. Join Curves for Women it is a cardiovascular and a muscle strenghtening workout you get and it is geared to us women and it only takes 30 minutes, three days a week. Good luck Jan
   — Janet S.

April 29, 2003
Last year I joined a collage course 3x/wk on body conditioning and weight lifting. I was instructed how to do all the machines properly and all the other particulars that go with learning this. I now use the college 5x/wk for free.(open times) The class only cost what typical 2 credit class would. If someone told me that I would weigh "140 in 4-6 month" with what they want to charge you, I would MAKE them put it in writing or my money back. I would suggest going the college route, cheaper and your instructor isn't "trained" but has a teaching degree. My daughter is a personal trainer and she had only a short training course.
   — ZZ S.