Expert: Ken Alan - 12/7/2005

Question
I quite new to exercise, and at the moment, I do running on a treadmill and then do some toning exercises on legs, bum, arms and stomach.

How long before I will see a difference?

How fast should I be running on the treadmill?  At the moment, I run for 3 mins at 8.5km/hr and then walk for 2 mins at 5.5km/hr.

Will my calves get big and horrible from the running?

I don't feel I'm getting enough of a workout (i.e. I don't feel very achy or that my muscles have been used). Should I
(a) Up weights for each set (I find the some of the ones I'm doing quite hard as it is).
(b) Up the reps I'm doing each time, i.e. from 12 to 15, or
(c) Up the sets of reps I'm doing (i.e. stick to 12, but do more sets each time).

Sorry, know this is long, but the gym instructors don't seem to be much help.


Answer
Hi,

Glad you are motivated to exercise.  I need to know a lot more information about you to be able to answer your questions accurately.  If the gym instructors are not much help, join another gym or hire a personal trainer for a couple of sessions.  It's worth it if you are serious about getting results.

How long before you see a difference depends on how well you do your exercises.  Calves might get a little bigger but that is not horrible by any means.  If you dont feel you're getting enough of a workout, up the weight gradually until you can't do more than 8-12 reps without losing form.

Hope this helps.