Advice for a newbie!!!

[causticmomof2]

I am doing circuit weight training, incorporating about 6 to 8 different excercises for two muscle groups at a time. i.e....back and triceps......chest and biceps....legs...every other day ending the session with 30 mins on the treadmill...On my off days I do an hour of cross country on the tread mill, and blast my abs...Been doin this for a bout 5 weeks or so, Feel great...getting some good definition. My question is...Should I do more muscle groups or excercises on my circuit days?

My goal is fat loss and building definition...I want to see my work!!

I usually do about 20 reps of each excercise and go 3 circuits...

Any advise is totally apppreciated!!

Kimi

[XIII]

Well, it not exactly my main area of expertise, but I'll give you a couple of ideas. If I were you I would look into mini circuits instead. They would keep your metabolism reving and improve the strength training effect greatly. To get definition requires lower BF levels and good muscle tone. By a mini circuit, I mean instead of going thru your whole routine, then starting again, you would have a shorter loop, say at the halfway mark or one third mark what have you. I sometimes employ this myself, the last time was heavy barbell rows, followed by heavy seated overhead dumbell extensions then a set of abs. I still took about 30-45 seconds between each exercise, but it still enable me to train pretty heavy. Try it out on paper and see for yourself. THis would improve the weigth training effect and still keep you burning calories by reving your metabolism.

Cheers

[Special K III]

I wouldn't do cardio on legs day. Sounds like you need to give your muscle group 48 hours to recover. Your description sounds like your not giving your body a chance to rest and heal.

[causticmomof2]

Your saying on my leg day, do not get on the treadmill afterwards..? And give my body a day rest...? As it is now I am in the gym everyday....alternating weight day with cardio day....with half hour cardio after weight training also..

[wannaBmoy]

Originally Posted by causticmomof2

Your saying on my leg day, do not get on the treadmill afterwards..? And give my body a day rest...? As it is now I am in the gym everyday....alternating weight day with cardio day....with half hour cardio after weight training also..

I don't think it'd be bad to start your leg day with light cardio on the treadmill.