But personally, running is my total body conditioner and nothing else I’ve ever tried as got me the feminine, long, lean conditioned look that running achieves.

I combine it with sculpting resistance work and variety but ultimately, running is what makes the difference.

Also, another reason I disagree about the use of treadmills as a starting point is that I have several clients who are so heavy, have so little core strength and are so out of condition that they could no more do a chin up or mountain clmber or prisoner squat (right now that is) than fly in the air.

For people so overweight that they are cumbersome and lacking flexibilty, balance and strength of any description, I think a sensible starting point is to be ambitious with 7-8 RPE walking, using inclines and intervals while punching out with hand-weights to to start to shift enough weight so as to give them the possibility of doing more advanced and demanding compound exercises.

It’s only my opinion – we’re all different – I’ve just seen too many people put off right at the outset by being given programmes they just aren’t capable of doing which leaves them feeling demoralised.

Reba

Peter R, great call on switching to KB swings. They’re my “go-to” exercise when I’m time-pressed and have time to only do one thing.

Jarc, thanks for the exercise descriptions.

bkd963, surprisingly, doing this as long as I have, I don’t know anyone that has torn a pec. however, i would suggest that you get a lot of soft tissue work done on the area (by a physical therapist or chiropractor) and avoid the bench press from now on…try suspended (blast strap) push-ups or DB presses instead.

Carey, I’m glad you agree. I think people just gravitate to whatever they perceive to be easiest without really thinking things through.

AC, you hit the nail on the head with the DIET comment. That’s the one rule of my industry…YOU CAN’T OUT-TRAIN A CRAPPY DIET. BTW, 4-5 weight training sessions? Isn’t that excessive (you’re doing running too?). It sounds like your program could use some efficiency.

Cheers all,
Chris

I have to disagree with you a little bit here….but let me first say that I do not disagree that someone just getting back into fitness should start running like mad and I do agree that a cycle of getting yourself hurt is a major problem.

That said I am a big fan of running to keep weight off. I do strength training 4-5 days per week but nothing keeps weight off me like running. But ease into it…mix running and walking early on in a 50-50 split and slowly start to run more than walk to avoid injury. If I paid better attention to my diet I probably would not need to run, but for now it helps keep the pounds off.

I’m also a busy and fit dad and a personal trainer. Your training principles and philosophies seem identical to mine.

I couldn’t agree with you more on the common mistake of losing weight and getting shape. i.e., join a gym, start running treadmill and get hurt. They want to get in shape before lifting weight. Huh!

Carey
Your Dream Body WorkoutXpert

http://www.YourDreamBodyWorkoutXpet.com

http://www.CareyForFitness.com

split squats:
put one foot in front of other and squat down. make sure front knee doesn’t go past front foot.
do reps with one foot forward and then switch to other foot forward and do reps.

burpees…stand up. bend down and put hands on ground. jump feet back into push up position. jump feet back to hands and stand up.
harder options are to actually do push up and then jump feet back to hands and then jump up reaching in air, getting most height you can, be careful with bad knees or joints.

have fun.