Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 383, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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johnjr
johnjr
Posts: 28
Joined: 2005/01/04
Canada
2005/01/05, 12:26 AM
Great Site,

Well I guess I am looking at starting the new year off right. I was once very active and fit, however the real world took over and I am looking at starting over. I am 5'11" and at approx 215lbs. I am not looking to be skinny, but wanting to loose fat and keep a somewhat bigger size. Sports I am interested in and played in the past were rugby, hockey, and some martial arts. So I am not looking at loosing 50lbs. But more keeping a 200lbs to 210lbs and having a more muscle mass and less fat. I am on the progressive plan which appeared to be the right choice to start.

MY QUESTION: should I be lifting lighter weight or heavier weight based upon what I am looking to achieve. Also to aid in getting rid of some fat would cardio be a huge plus? Or should the weight training mainly do what I am looking for?

Thanks in advance,
John
xxrajxx
xxrajxx
Posts: 423
Joined: 2004/08/12
United Kingdom
2005/01/05, 04:16 AM
welcome to FT

go heavy :cool: but with good form

cardio is good for fat loss and general good health,
have a look around here tons of info to be found
good luck
crispy01
crispy01
Posts: 130
Joined: 2004/09/08
United States
2005/01/05, 11:38 AM
Lifting heavier will put more muscle mass on your body, and with more muscle you have, the more fat you will burn throughout the whole day. So if you do lift heavy you will see an increase in weight at first but you know that it is muscle. Cardio should be second to weightlifting, because its effects last only during the cardio session, (unless you do interval training, which I believe causes about 24 hours of higher calorie burn.) But it is good for overall fitness and health. I do 3 sessions of cardio a week at 30-40 minutes each. Also diet is very important in muscle gain and fat loss. You should set up a nutritional profile on this site to get your nutritional needs. I am in the same boat you are. I am 5'11 about 210 lbs. I also want the same goals as you. I can tell you this site has helped me a lot, and should be of great benefit to you too, if you use it.
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2005/01/05, 11:41 AM
Yep, always strive to challenge the muscle. Get your reps in, but not at the expense of weight. Always try to keep increasing your weights.

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If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything....

bb1fit@freetrainers.com
smallbig
smallbig
Posts: 86
Joined: 2004/12/27
Canada
2005/01/10, 11:33 PM
Go with the big three lifts (deadlift bench and squat) and do'em heavy, you'll see both size and strenth gains.