Is this set of Cardio exercises any good?

B

BilltheAnt

0
I recently joined a gym and the trainers set me up with this set of cardio exercises.

If I do the following exercises every Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and some Mondays (depending on if I have time), how long will it take until I start to see a difference:

Treadmill: 5 mins (Speed Setting=11, Heart Rate=140-155)
Treadmill Cool Down: 5 mins (Speed Setting=10, Heart Rate=135-150)

Cross Trainer: 5 mins (Cross-Ramp=4, Resistance level=4, Heart rate=150-160)
Cross Trainer Cool Down: (Cross-Ramp=4, Resistance level=3, Heart rate=145-155)

Sci-Fit (the machine were you spin your arms around, just like a stationary bike only for your arms): 5 mins (Resistance Level=5.5, Heart Rate=does not measure Heart Rate)

Stationary Bike: 5 mins (Resistance Level=8, Speed=70-80 RPM, Heart Rate=145-155)
Stationary Bike Cool Down: 5 mins (Resistance Level=6, Speed=70-80 RPM, Heart Rate=135-145)

Rowing Machine: 5 mins (Resistance Level= 6 out of 10, Rate= 500m in 2.5 mins)

I know resistance levels are different on different models of machines but I put them down anyway.

I just want to know if I did that 4-5 days a week, how long would it be before I start to see results.

My Stats:

Age: 19
BMI: 20 (ish)
Weight: 72kg
Height: 175cm
 
yes, but . . .

Why all the switching around?
It sounds like they're trying to make sure you appreciate the fees you pay to use the facility.
Face it, if you're looking to increase your cardio rate it can be done on one machine. Interval training is great. If I were to be switching around it would be from say a rowing machine one day to a bike the next and a crosstrainer the next.
 
American Heart Assn. recommendations are to do cardio for at least 20 minutes continuous. I'm big on cardio and I would not do any piece of equipment for less than 30 minutes, but that's just me. So, I'm with Pikeman and would do one piece each day and rotate them around if you want. Also, incorporate weight training as well. It sounds odd to beginners, but you lose more weight with weight training and cardio than you do with weight training alone or cardio alone.

Those are reasonable beginning goals for heart rate (approximately 70 - 75% of your max) but at your age I suspect you could go even higher.
 
Hey thanks for the replies.

I probably should have amended my post. The day after I posted this I was shown around the weight machines.

This is what I do every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Every workout is 2 sets of 8-10 reps (I started at 12-15 at a lower weight but I asked how to improve strength and this is what they put me on)

Chest Incline 45kg
Chest Press 50kg
Leg Press 80kg
Low Row 30kg
Shoulder Press 30kg
Leg Curl 35kg
Leg Extension 35kg
Tricep Pull Down 15kg
Bicep Pull Down 15kg
Upright Row 15kg
Lat Pull Down 30kg

Every day I do weights I increase the weight by 5 kg, so next time I use them, they will all be 5kg larger.

Also an alteration to the cardio:

I generally increase resistance or speed each time I use the machine.

Treadmill: 6 mins (Speed Setting=13)
Treadmill Cool Down: 5 mins (Speed Setting=11)

Cross Trainer: 6 mins (Cross-Ramp=20, Resistance level=12)
Cross Trainer Cool Down: (Cross-Ramp=20, Resistance level=10)

Sci-Fit: 6 mins (Resistance Level=9.5)

Stationary Bike: 8 mins (Resistance Level=11, Speed=55-65 RPM)
Stationary Bike Cool Down: 5 mins (Resistance Level=9, Speed=70-80 RPM

Rowing Machine: 6 mins (Resistance Level=10 out of 10, Rate= 500m in 2mins 10secs)

I know this isn't 20 mins on one machine, but that is what I have been doing since the last time I have had chance to check the forum. Is this still no good, because the personal trainer told me that it would be best to use each machine in every workout because variety is good.

I don't know I just assumed they knew what they were talking about because they are Personal Trainers.

Thanks again for the replies.
 
I'd really suggest you just buy a good workout book (New Rules of Lifting, etc.) or have a personal trainer come up with something for you. It looks like you're just being shown around to each machine in a circuit and although it's better than doing nothing it isn't a good workout plan if you're looking for results.
 
BilltheAnt said:
Hey thanks for the replies.

I probably should have amended my post. The day after I posted this I was shown around the weight machines.

This is what I do every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
BIG SNIP!
I don't know I just assumed they knew what they were talking about because they are Personal Trainers.

Thanks again for the replies.
Click to expand...

Sheesh - that's quite a bit! I assume that all that is distributed among the three days. Be sure not to allow this to become work. If it's not fun you won't stick with it. I'm a big believer in fun.
And the comment about reading-up on weight training is a very good suggestion. One thing I've discovered is that there are many contradictory opinions on the best way. The critical element is to discover _your_ best way. You may wind up with an approach with some techniques from here and some from there. I don't think you need a "sensei" to get results. It will take experimentation and simple trail-and-error.
Don't be in a hurry and don't forget about the fun thing.
Good Luck!
 
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