So bored with free weights. Help me.

[beefcheeks]

I haven't done Body Pump for probably 4 or 5 years, but back then I really liked it! I don't think it'd be a waste of time if you used heavy/challenging weights and tried to up your weight periodically. The truth is, if it keeps you engaged and "on the workout wagon", then that is all that matters. Who cares if it's not the absolute perfect best workout. You're there. That's (more than) half the battle!

[janegold]

Yes, go to a class. They're fun and over before you know it. I need to start going to one again...it's such an efficient way to get full-body strength training.

[pantsparty]

Have you tried any Fitness Blender workouts? I find those work better for me because there's often a combination of HIIT/cardio/weights. Once I get in the rhythm of one of their workouts, I usually mute them and play my own music. Here's some routines I like:
www.fitnessblender.com/videos/fat-blasting-booty-builder-hiit-cardio-and-strength-training-workout
www.fitnessblender.com/videos/total-body-strength-training-with-dumbbells-challenging-dynamic-superset-workout
www.fitnessblender.com/videos/intense-fat-burning-cardio-intervals-and-butt-and-thigh-workout-
www.fitnessblender.com/videos/strong-lean-toned-arms-chest-and-shoulders-workout-lift-like-you-mean-it

[toepick]

I think it's just a matter of mixing things up. We do four-week cycles at my lifting gym. For example, right now we are doing something like this:

Day 1: 4 sets of each
Heavy deadlifts: 4 sets of 6
Single leg lowering with band.

Reverse lunges
Single Arm Row

Push ups
Pallof press

Swings - 4-6 sets of 10 on the minute

Day 2: 4-6 reps of circuit
Turkish get ups, 2 on each side
Squats - All the way down, up halfway, back down, up
Bicep Curls with a band
Ab rolls on the ball

Day 3:
Heavy squats
1-legged RDLs
Assisted pull ups from the rings
[some other stuff I can't remember]
2 sets of leg matrix: 10 each of body weight squat, lunges on each side, step ups on box, and skaters.

[starlily]

Jun 30, 2015 13:13:46 GMT -5 Jennyanydots said:

TRX! Uses your body weight with straps on this big A frame. It's pretty hard.

My gym runs 6-12 week sessions.

Maybe do some stuff with kettlebells or medicine balls to mix your workout up a bit?

TRX is awesome.

[cinco]

I prefer classes. TRX and body pump are my favorite.

[gummybear]

Another vote for TRX!

[pittsmcgee]

I LOOOVE body pump. Do it!

[cuccaro]

I just finished the Bikini Body Guide and loved it. Started round 2 this week. It's mostly resistance workouts. I get bored very easily and didn't get bored at all with this.

[amberlyrose]

Can you throw in some pilates or barre? I loved my shape when I did heavy lifting mixed with a barre class.

[daisybuchannan]

I agree with everyone that says to head to classes. I teach both bodypump and trx. The key with pump is to keep upping your weight. You should be shaking by the end of each track!

Also find a total body class using weights. The instructor should use weights in creative ways, and you can repeat new moves on your own.

[zoomzoom]

Also, you can use a Bosu ball to mix it up. There's all kinds of strength & core exercises that also really help with overall balance. You can even use Bosu for cardio. It kicks my ass. Every.time.

[Nonny]

I *loved* TRX. It was one of a handful of classes at my gym where I could feel it working instantly, and I really liked how just a slight change in position could make things easier or harder.

kooshball, do you have the TRX trainer you linked to? I'm very tempted to pick it up, but I'm not sure where I'd put it.

[CloudBee]

- do a few classes
- weights at home in front of the TV so you can space out and not mind the repetitive motions
- machines at the gym that don't require hands (go on your phone and read)

[pixy0stix]

It takes 12-15 weeks before you notice a change in your body. It takes 20ish weeks before other people notice. Keep sticking with it. If you're bored I'd definitely try a class OR find someone to work out with you.

[sugarbear]

Jun 30, 2015 13:08:51 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

sugarbear (I know you lift a lot).

I know that free weights are the most efficient way of building muscle/shaping my body. But I find it soooooooo boring. I am working my way through New Rules of Lifting for Women and I am half way through phase 2 and just feel sort of over it. 

I am really tempted to do a couple Body Pump classes each week or use the precor weight machines (which don't bore me as much for whatever reason) instead. Is that just a crappy use of my time, though? My goals are improving my metabolism and body composition and just generally enjoying being active (and getting a break from my children lol). My other activity right now is 3-4 days/week of yoga (some hatha and some power vinyasa).

If it matters, I have noticed improvement in my strength over the 8-ish weeks I've been doing the program but I have not been blown away by body changes. I have more arm and shoulder definition, but that's been the only visible difference so far. 

You know I teach a kettle bells / intervals class on T / Th afternoons, right? We do a lot of traditional lifting, too, depending on what people want and where we are in the year. You are welcome to come. It's free...ish. In Fremont.

Or, you can workout with me anytime. I've read all the New Rules books and I cane help you design workouts so that you're doing something different every day.

I am not a fan of body pump-type classes because generally they are too cardio-ish for me, but that's personal preference. If they get you into the gym, they are a great choice. I would do those instead of machines, though. The benefits of free weights are that a) you're using your core-- and other muscles-- to stabilize, and b) you're lifting in a natural motion or pattern. Machines don't mimic life very well.

If we spent a few hours together, I can show you how to build your own workouts to keep them interesting. Let me know!

[sugarbear]

Just read the thread. The TRX plays a huge role in my classes as well as my personal workouts.

[sugarbear]

Jun 30, 2015 14:16:42 GMT -5 Nonny said:

I *loved* TRX. It was one of a handful of classes at my gym where I could feel it working instantly, and I really liked how just a slight change in position could make things easier or harder.

kooshball, do you have the TRX trainer you linked to? I'm very tempted to pick it up, but I'm not sure where I'd put it.

You can put most of the versions I've seen in a door jam.

[goonfest]

Jun 30, 2015 14:22:54 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Jun 30, 2015 14:02:32 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Can you throw in some pilates or barre? I loved my shape when I did heavy lifting mixed with a barre class.

My gym has barre & pilates as well, so could definitely add one or both. I am happy with yoga though and don't really want to replace that. I guess I want something OTHER than heavy lifting lol. Is barre a could conditioning/strength class or is it mostly cardio? I know very little about it. 

Have you ever tried Ashtanga yoga? It's a set sequence of poses that starts with 10 sun salutations (half A, half B), then includes vinyasas between most of the poses. I find it more challenging strength-wise than vinyasa flow classes.

[amberlyrose]

Jun 30, 2015 14:22:54 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Jun 30, 2015 14:02:32 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Can you throw in some pilates or barre? I loved my shape when I did heavy lifting mixed with a barre class.

My gym has barre & pilates as well, so could definitely add one or both. I am happy with yoga though and don't really want to replace that. I guess I want something OTHER than heavy lifting lol. Is barre a could conditioning/strength class or is it mostly cardio? I know very little about it. 

It's mostly strength, but it works on the little muscles that shape while lifting works on larger muscle groups for function.

[Nonny]

Jun 30, 2015 14:22:40 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

Jun 30, 2015 13:08:51 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

sugarbear (I know you lift a lot).

I know that free weights are the most efficient way of building muscle/shaping my body. But I find it soooooooo boring. I am working my way through New Rules of Lifting for Women and I am half way through phase 2 and just feel sort of over it. 

I am really tempted to do a couple Body Pump classes each week or use the precor weight machines (which don't bore me as much for whatever reason) instead. Is that just a crappy use of my time, though? My goals are improving my metabolism and body composition and just generally enjoying being active (and getting a break from my children lol). My other activity right now is 3-4 days/week of yoga (some hatha and some power vinyasa).

If it matters, I have noticed improvement in my strength over the 8-ish weeks I've been doing the program but I have not been blown away by body changes. I have more arm and shoulder definition, but that's been the only visible difference so far. 

You know I teach a kettle bells / intervals class on T / Th afternoons, right? We do a lot of traditional lifting, too, depending on what people want and where we are in the year. You are welcome to come. It's free...ish. In Fremont.

Or, you can workout with me anytime. I've read all the New Rules books and I cane help you design workouts so that you're doing something different every day.

I am not a fan of body pump-type classes because generally they are too cardio-ish for me, but that's personal preference. If they get you into the gym, they are a great choice. I would do those instead of machines, though. The benefits of free weights are that a) you're using your core-- and other muscles-- to stabilize, and b) you're lifting in a natural motion or pattern. Machines don't mimic life very well.

If we spent a few hours together, I can show you how to build your own workouts to keep them interesting. Let me know!

Can you PM me the details of the class you teach?  I've been doing a lot of cardio with Zumba and biking, and I know I need to step up on strength training, but a gym membership and/or personal trainer isn't really in the cards for me right now.

[orangello]

I am not a self-directed exerciser - I need classes to keep it fun and fresh. Try the Body Pump classes - they're a great workout, and can be a good supplement to free weights. They focus on light weight, high rep tracks, so it's a little different than NROLFW. I really want to try TRX as well, but haven't yet!

[sugarbear]

Nonny and jenny1980, you've got mail!

[zoidberg]

I started doing body pump because I had a nagging injury that made heavy lifting difficult. I LOVE IT.

I never fail to get an amazing workout and, as I have increased my weights, I have seen a lot of results that are pretty much like my results from heavy lifting.

I may never go back.

[zoidberg]

Also, I do an abs class 3x a week and really love/hate it. I recommend something like that for core strength, it makes a difference in everything you do in the gym.

[happyholiday]

NROLFW IS boring! I just couldn't get into it. I'm really enjoying Strong Curves by Bret Contreras right now. It's glute-focused and takes about 35-45 min. I get bored by lifting, but I can get through these by listening to podcasts/audiobooks.

[5thofjuly]

For me, the difference between boredom and tolerable is if I have a good podcast. It's not so much what I'm doing in the gym as long as I can tune it out.