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Anonymous
Sup /fit/

Trying to get in shape after a long summer of unhealthy eating and drinking. I opened up a membership at the local gym and started eating healthier.

The trouble is, I don't know what I should do at the gym to make the most out of it.
I start off on the treadmill for 20 minutes, but then I just go off doing random weight lifting machines.

I need your help /fit/
Should I work out everyday?
Should I concentrate on upper and lower body separately?


Pic unrelated
>> Anonymous
>started eating healthier

Good. Get your bodyweight equivalent protein in grams. Drink a gallon of water a day.

>I start off on the treadmill for 20 minutes.

That's ok, still better to run outside. Look up HIIT. Remember that jogging a mile isn't the same as running hard for a mile.

>Then I just go off doing random weight lifting machines.

Bad, stop doing that. Go do freeweights instead (barbells, dumbbells). Do compound exercises like squats and deadlifts. Start with the empty bar and work your way up, and remember: low reps high weight is the key.

>Should I work out every day?

Cardio every day is fine, HIIT no more than 2-3 times a week, lift 3 times a week. You need to give your body time to heal.

>Should I concentrate on upper and lower body separately?

For now do a full body workout every time. You shouldn't have to split up your workouts yet if you're just starting out.
>> Anonymous
Is there actually anything wrong with using machines, or is that just not the pure and honorable path?
>> Anonymous
>>341460
There's so many reasons why weight machines are terrible I don't really feel like listing them all. Just trust us, stick to freeweights and you'll see much better gains.
>> Anonymous
>>341460
I don't think so, but then again i'm not a /fit/head who wants to get extremely buff by doing deadlifts and drinking protein shakes every day.
>> Anonymous
>>341466
Oh for fucks sake, I tried to help but you're just fucking hopeless. Enjoy your weight machines.
>> Anonymous
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>>341466
>> Anonymous
>>341466
yeah, not exactly an authority.

>>341463

>I don't actually know any reasons why freeweights are better, but would like to be an elitist about it anyway because I then feel better about myself.
>> Anonymous
>>341483
I almost got trolled. You just ALMOST got me.

But for those of you who actually believe this guy, let me save you from making a huge mistake.

First off, weight machines restrict you to the fixed range of motion. This means you don't target all the parts of body that would otherwise be targeted by their freeweights. This includes the very important stabilizer muscles. Furthermore, machines pretty much always aid you in your lifting, so you're essentially doing as little as only 50% of the actual lifting at times. For the most part, machines only isolate specific parts of your body, and rarely if ever build any actual functional strength; in other words, all your doing is being able to lift more on than specific machine, not increasing your strength in general. Moreover, machines quite often lead to poor muscle balance and posture, which will actually lead to injuries and whatnot.

On the off-chance that you actually are NOT a troll and you seriously believe that machines are not total crap, then I seriously weep for you and humanity in general. I listed just a few legitimate reasons, I'm sure someone who's an expert could probably add to this.
>> Anonymous
>>341489

hooray, a well thought out and articulate response that actually explains it's reasoning!
>> Anonymous
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>>341489
>> Anonymous
>>341489
TL;DR START DOING THEM SQUAAAATZ
>> Anonymous
OP here, thanks for the tip anon