karcan65 wrote:
> My gym does in fact have Stairmasters and stepmills as well as the
> other machines I mentioned. I just usually steer clear of those
> because I find them very difficult. Particularly the mill.
Well, that is what I was told, too. But when I started using the
stairmill (at a moderate pace: 69 steps/min), I discovered that it is
quite "easy". It certainly gets my heart rate up, but it is not as
hard on the legs as I expected. And I see people going m-u-c-h slower
(and faster, of course). So I would suggest that you continue to try
the stairmill, even for short periods of time (a few minutes).
Eventually, I suspect you will be able to handle it.
(PS: I find the Stairmaster m-u-c-h harder to use than the stairmill.
I am surprised.)
> If I mixed and matched my cardio as you suggested, how much time
> on each machine? 10 minutes?
That really is an individual choice. There is no magic formula -- as
long as you do not waste so much time moving from machine to machine
that you let your heart rate fall too much. Remember that what
distinguishes "aerobics" is that you __continuously__ keep your heart
rate up throughout the routine.
I would say a minimum of 10 min on the first machine. It takes about
that amount of time for your body to fully respond to the aerobic
demand. I strive for 10-15 min per machine. But if I am tired or
pushing myself, I might survive only 5 min on the stairmill
.
> And do you have to push yourself to full capacity or is a
> moderate pace just as effective?
Again, a very individual choice. The more you push yourself, the
better the results cardio-wise. But variability is good: alternating
moderate and high intensity. I do not do "intervals", even though I
know I should. I "warm up" at a moderate pace on the first machine,
push it on the second machine, then "cool down" at high-moderate pace
on the third machine. (Not really a cool-down because I move on to
other exercises afterwards.)
> Also, would you recommend doing
> weights in between the cardio sets or doing the cardio all at once and
> then the weights or weights then cardio as the case may be.
Again, an individual choice. Sorry if I'm sounding like a broken
record. But I believe there is no magic formula, contrary to those who
insist that there is only one right way to do things. Funny that no
one can agree on what the "one right way" is
.
I prefer to do all my cardio, then resistance or core exercises. The
reason is more psychological than physiological. I start with cardio
to get myself in the mood. Once I get into resistance and core
exercise, I am in a different mindset. Also, in my gym, the cardio
machines are in a separate part of the building. Walking back and
forth gives me too much down time.
However, a lot of people do alternatve. I can certainly see a benefit
if you are working only one part of the body in a session (e.g. abs,
upper body or lower body). I try to alternate within each session.
> I am really concerned because even the idea of getting outside for a
> walk or a bike ride instead of going to the gym doesn't really appeal
> to me anymore and that isn't good...
> Is this a stage that most people who exercise regularly go through?
I cannot speak for "most people". But I do have a similar problem.
For a time, I was cycling to the gym (20-25 min each direction), then
doing 35 min of cardio in the gym followed by 45-60 min of resistance
or core exercises. I loved it; but it took a lot out of me, both
physically and time-wise. And I do not want to give up my gym time for
cycling or exhilirating walk instead -- even though I know it is fine
and even a good thing to do.
So for me, it is not that "real activities" have become unappealing.
It is simply that I cannot figure out how to work them into my routine
without overdoing it, compromising my gym time, or leaving me with no
time for the rest of my life
. As you say, that is not good. I am
not motivated to solve the problem not, with the inclimate weather
approaching. I will work on in the spring. In the meantime, I will
try to work in some Spinning(tm) sessions.
>> Stay informed about: HELP! I'm fading fast... 
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