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Thursday 6 March 2014

Womens Gym Routine: What I do In The Gym



Hello everyone, so this isn't really a post that I had planned and I'm not a fan of posting semi-naked photographs of myself on the internet (my Mum is going to kill me) but after posting my detox tips and tricks post, a post where I basically told you all what I’ve been doing to keep fit and get more toned (read that here if you missed it), I was asked by a lot of people to write about what I do at the gym so I thought it was time to give you a brief overview of what I’ve been doing at the gym (as well as sticking to what I said on my detox tips and tricks post). I felt the need to include photos of my progress because otherwise, it doesn't make it very believable but I really have toned up recently, I have a long way to go but obviously I want to share my journey with you. I just want to point out that I am not a dietitian or fitness expert, I have a very big sports background, I competed for my county in Athletics, gymnastics and have always been a keen sportswoman, I do have a lot of people around me who are nutritionists and personal trainers who have given me some fantastic advice along the way but this is literally just what I personally do at the gym, I'm not saying whatsoever that you should even do this or that this is the right or wrong thing to do... now we've got that out of the way, let's get toned!



I thought I'd start by showing you some photographs of my own progress (in no particular order). The first photograph of me in an orange bikini was taken before the photo of me in the blue fluffy jumper and I have to admit I have seen a huge change in my abs since taking the photo in my bikini.

I make sure I go to the gym at least three times a week so I wouldn’t say my gym going is excessive, it’s worth noting though that I’ve always done sports from a very young age, when I did athletics it meant training quite a few days a week, I used to do ballet, modern and contemporary dance as well as gymnastics and ice skating – I’ve pretty much tried my hand at all sports, so I’ve always had quite an athletic background and have always loved the gym.  So I’m going to give you a few tips which help to motivate me before I even get onto telling you what I do at the gym:


-       Learn To Love The Gym - The gym is something that you’ve got to learn to love, if you want to be in good health and good shape, learn to love the gym. If you really do hate the gym, go for a run outside. I personally don’t enjoy going on runs just because I really don’t push myself hard enough unless I can alter the speed and the gradient like you can on a treadmill. There is no reason to hate the gym, why hate something which is so good for you? I find that buying new gym kit helps! I also recently bought some gorgeous new Nike trainers which you may have seen on my Instagram and weirdly, having nice, new gym kit, makes me want to go more. So if you're a shopaholic, this is good news for you.




-       Music Is Your Friend -  I tend to just put an incredible playlist on my Iphone and I end up singing and dancing along so much, that I forget I’m even in the gym – music really does power me through those moments where I'm really about to give up.




-       Have A ‘Fitspiration in mind’ – Everyone has a different idea of what’s healthy/slim/toned/fit – It really upsets me to see so many people slating slim people on facebook ‘oh she’s skin and bones’ ‘she’s anorexic’ when realistically, she is just a slim, toned girl. Equally though, I don’t think larger people should be slated either – so that’s why I wont be the one to tell you what the ideal body shape is as there really is no right answer.I go to the gym with someone in my head who's body I’d be happy to have, my goal body, then, when I’m pushing myself for that final minute on the treadmill, it really helps me power through by thinking ‘think of her stomach oh my god’ – try it, it works trust me.




-       You Never Regret Working Out – Have you ever actually regretted doing exercise? No me neither. No-one ever says 'I wish I didn't go to the gym'.




-       The Hardest Part Is Getting There – Getting up and getting to the gym is by far the hardest part, once you’ve done that, it’s easy from there – no I’m kidding, its not easy, but I find the hardest part of my day is forcing myself to go to the gym, once I get there, I love it and I power through. It really does help if you have a 'gym buddy' I don't unfortunately so I've got to really push myself to go, if you have a friend who also wants to go, you can push each other.



So now we’ve cleared that up, it’s time for me to tell you what I do at the gym, again, I’m not saying that what I do is correct, or right, this is just what I do and the only reason that I’m telling you all is because so many of you have asked/emailed requesting this post so here goes!




My Gym Routine:

- 1 - Cardio -  I normally start on the wave machine – the real reason that I started using this machine is because every single girl who uses it, seems to have an incredible bum (haha oops). I can see why, as it really does work your bum. It hurts so much to begin with, you kind of move your legs in a floating motion really fast and I love using it because it really does hurt, 'no pain no gain'. When I first ever used the machine, I was pretty rubbish and couldn’t go for longer than 5 minutes, it actually killed my bum. Now, I put the machine to level 18 and run on it for at least 15-20 minutes at the start of every gym session. Interval training is known for being really good for the body, you burn more calories because you can keep going longer, I find this machine is really good for interval training as you can run on level 18 for two minutes and then bend down and hold onto the bars to just do your bum for the next two minutes.

If you don't have a wave machine at your gym, the cross trainer is equally good for your bum too and obviously I love the treadmill too, so you can do the same on either of these. I always run on an incline on the treadmill (usually 2.5/3) because it works you harder and it feels like it does my legs more, plus, when running outside you’ll never really be running on a completely flat surface. I run at 12km/h speed and usually run for 20 minutes, however, as mentioned before, interval training is good so sometimes I’ll sprint at 13km/h for a minute, then move down to 11km/h, then move back to 13 so on. 

I'm gonna break this down and make it a little bit easier, so generally, I do 10 minutes on the wave machine, then 10 minutes on the cross trainer and then I move to weights but then after about half an hour with weights, I finish with a quick 5 minute sprint on the treadmill. Sometimes, I will do a full 20-30 minutes on the wave machine, then move to the weights then finish with a 5 minute session on the crosstrainer just to mix things up a bit, it depends what mood I'm in.

-      -2 - 'Girlie Weights' - Toning the bum and legs - I then move into the ‘girlie weights’ section, I call it this because at my gym this area is separated from the other weights section. I sit on the adductor, which does your inner thigh muscles – I used to just do loads of reps at 25KG as lower weights, more reps is the general rule for toning but then I decided that this was too easy and I wanted to tone quicker and still lose weight whilst using the machine so now I do 20 reps at 40KG, 6 times. I then do the abductor weight machine (usually next to the adductor) and this does your glutes/outer thighs (bum) -  again, I do this on weight 40kg and do 20 reps, 6 times. Depending on how I feel, I will just do a straight set of 100 reps if my legs can handle it, I do this quickly so that it gets my heart pumping and I can really feel myself burning calories. However, I'd say you benefit more from doing squats and lunges than just using these machines, don't rely on them as you can be pretty lazy on them.

-       - 3 - Leg Press – I move onto the leg press after I've done the adductor and abductor as this does the back of the legs and the glutes again. I never used to do the leg press but after seeing a photo of Amy Willerton using it, I realised that it’s probably very beneficial (and it really is). I do this at 50kg and just do 3 sets of 15 as this is quite heavy for my little legs – I don’t go to the gym to bulk up or lose weight, I go to the gym to tone what I’ve got. Sometimes I put the leg press to 25kg and do 8 x 20 reps at this weight.



-       - 4 - Onto the Matts –

-     This is where I really work hard and how I tone my bum (generally I go to the gym to make my bum bigger, firmer and build muscle). I move onto the matts in the open gym area and first I lay and do donkey kicks, I started doing these after seeing Jen Selter discussing them on Instagram, obviously it depends what you’re wanting to tone but I do these because I’m trying to make my bum more perky and larger, the more muscly it gets, the bigger it will look. I do 30 donkey kicks on both legs and then do the doggy hydrant, 30 to the left, 30 to the right. This 'Jen Selter' Butt guide will properly show you how to do them and it will explain the technique to you. My bum really aches by this point which is a good thing! I then do a thing which looks a bit awkward but you raise your bum up and down, tap the ground for not even a second and suck your bum in whilst doing it, I place a kettle bell on my pelvis whilst doing this as Blogilates, a fitness expert on YouTube taught me that this helps build the bum muscles.


-     Then I grab two kettle bells, the weights vary depending on what I'm doing but they're not that heavy, I make sure I’ve got a good song on, because this really hurts, and I then do kettle bell swings, firstly 20 using the lighter kettle bell, I then have a little breather and do 20 reps using the heavier kettle bell, this time I just stand in a squat position and come half the way up, then back down, some people call these 'duck squats' – this really hurts. I then go back to the start and do another 20 kettle swings using the smaller kettle bell,  then back to the heavy one and do another twenty whilst pulsing. I usually do about 80 squats per session, some are sumo squats (legs wide apart) and some are jumping squats (type the names into Google and YouTube to see how they're done). The best way to learn to do this safely and properly is to ask a fitness instructor at your gym, I was shown how to do this by a personal trainer, YouTube also has some good tutorials so I'm not going to show you any photos of me doing it or try and tell you what the technique is as I'm not trying to say I'm an expert, ask an expert and they will help so that you don't hurt yourself. I have seen a huge change in the size and perkiness of my bum after doing the above for a few months now and quite a lot of people have commented on it, if you work at it you can really see a difference.

-      Abs – I don’t do that much on my abs as I feel like everything I do do, does my abs without me realising. As you'll have probably heard, abs are made in the kitchen - you can read my healthy eating, toning and detox guide here which outlines what I've been doing to get a flat tummy and to get more of a toned body. I do however, do hill climbs, I do 30 of these really fast, I then do the bicycle and move to each side 100 times. I also tend to do about 100 crunches too – but again, it depends how exhausted I am from my squats. I also do oblique twists holding either a heavy ball or a kettle bell, again, 100 of these. Again, do a quick google image search to see what these exercises look like or ask a professional at the gym as they can show you the correct way to do them.

-     Personal trainers have told me that it's best to do the weights first and then finish on cardio, I personally prefer to do cardio first and my gym is always really busy so it's quite hard to get into the weights section but because of this, I  tend to finish on a quick sprint. I run on the treadmill on an incline of 4 and sprint at 14km/h and work my way to up 16km/h at the end of most sessions, if I'm mega exhausted, I put the treadmill onto a bigger incline (hill) and walk really fast on it. Don’t feel that you need to do this speed too, I do have sprinting and long distance history so I can run quite fast and have good endurance, a lot of my friends run on 10km, anything that works for you is great.



Above are two great things from Pinterest which you can do at home to tone up and they should hopefully show you some of the exercises that I've mentioned.

Please don’t hold me to this as I’m not saying that you should do this, or that this is correct whatsoever, but its worked for me and I would love to see your progress! I fly to Vietnam in just over 3 weeks so now it really is time for me to get working hard! 




If you're wanting some more gym inspiration, I am forever pinning good work outs and body inspiration on my body inspiration board on Pinterest here, this really motivates me! I hope that those of you who have asked for this post have found it helpful, if it helps one person then my job is done.
Also, please follow me on Instagram: emshelx - to see my progress as I always post fitness photos. 

What do you do at the gym? Share it with me! What do you find really helps you to tone? Have you found anything thats really made your bum get bigger or your abs get better? Are you going away this Summer and wanting to tone? Do you do similar to me at the gym?

Again, don't forget to pair your exercise with a good diet, read my healthy eating post here.

 Lots of love, Em x


 Don't forget to follow me on bloglovin! 

58 comments:

  1. This was such a helpful post! You look amazing :) interesting to see what other people do in the gym and what works for them!
    Alana x

    www.dual-beauty.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aw I'm so so glad that it's helped, thank you so much - that's so kind of you! Yeah it really is! I loveeee hearing about what works for people! xxx

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  2. Loved this post! You look fantastic and it is so good to see the gym routine of someone I can relate to for a change. Those abs gurrrrl! Xx

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    1. Aw thank you so much, yeah I'm forever reading ones online which don't make sense to me! So I thought I'd just write out mine so that normal people can see that it is possible! xxx

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  3. This is such a detailed post! I loved reading it, especially since I want to re-join the gym, so I'll definitely be following this. And your progress is AMAZING, you look great xx

    D Is For...

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    1. aw yay so glad you like it, eeek! I hope it's helped you and has inspired you to re-join! Thank you so much it means a lot! x

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  4. You are so toned, you look gorgeous. Thanks for this posting this, its so helpful <3

    http://sparklyghosts.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Aw thank you so much - I really do hope it helps! xxx

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  5. Great Post!
    You look amazing!!

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  6. Wow you look incredible Em, I am getting married in July so really trying hard in the gym and with healthy eating and this has really inspired me to keep going. Thanks :) xx
    emmalouisedreams.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aw thank you so much Emma - eeeek yayyyy that's a good thing to aim for, get yourself wedding ready although I'm sure you already look fabulous! xxx

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  7. you have such an amazing figure, im trying to motivate myself to go to the gym and start eating healthier!

    Lauren| thatgirlcalledlauren.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aw thank you so much, inspiration is pretty hard, some days I really can't be bothered but other days I'm really inspired! xxx

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  8. you look really good ! i exercise at home and am building myself up slowly so i don't feel defeated or like giving up too quick. i do about twenty mins every day and very light, toning to help get me moving :)
    Lauren x
    Britton Loves | Fashion Lifestyle + Photography - www.brittonloves.blogspot.co.uk
    Support my Photography Project here !

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    1. Aw thank you so much - yeah! I do it at home sometimes too, it's so easy now (and free) to just do it via youtube at home! That's so good, that's really goood well done you! xxx

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  9. Great post so inspiring, random but I love your bikini too after some new swimwear for my hols :D I've been really into running lately really want to start weights again though used to love incorporating them x

    http://subjectbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Aw thank you - so glad you like it and find it inspiring! Aw thank you so much, it's from Triangl!!! Oooo yay weights are the way forward!!! xx

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  10. Loved this !! Your body is AMAZING! Your work out looks so hard , but is obviously worth it and I'm sure it gets easier with time :) I do have one question - how long does this all take you ? xxx

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    1. Aw thank you so glad you like it! It is hard but, no pain no gain! hahaha! yes it does get easier! Ooops I forgot to add that! Usually about 1hr 15 mins :) xxx

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  11. very detailed post! I am not fat, but I defo want to tone up.
    I love triangl bikini's, I REALLY want one!
    My ideal body is something like yours, so I guess I should start working out haha xx

    LauraThinksAbout

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    1. aw thank you - yeah i just go to tone!!! Eek they're so gorgeous aren't they, it's crazy how lovely they are! awww wow thank you so much! xxx

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  12. Dem abs doe.
    Seriously, your body. :o

    Your progress is amazing! So inspirational.
    Do you remember how long it had been between the first and last photos?

    P.S. I have that EXACT bikini. Colour and all. ;)

    Much love xx
    http://christiestakeonlife.blogspot.com.au

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    1. Aw haha thank youuu!!! :$ eek... erm not sure! Likeee, 3 months probably?! Ahh great choice!!! xxx

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  13. wow look at you! Where did you get that swimsuit in the first pic. So cute!!!

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  14. You have an absolutely cracking bod, that is what I'd like to aim for! I dread to think what your inspiration is because if I looked like that I'd think I was God's gift and wouldn't want to do any more :p I'm going to bookmark this page and come back to it when I join the gym next year at uni. Yep, you have just convinced me to join the gym. Eek.
    Lucy xxx
    La Lingua : Food, Life & Travel in Italy

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    1. Awww bless you - thank you so so much!!! I don't go to the gym to lose weight to be honest, it's just to maintain and to tone up, to make my bum bigger to be honest haha! Aw yay good luck how exciting!!! Ahhhh my job is done woohoooo! xxx

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  15. Absolutly amazing results Em! you should be a fitness model!

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  16. Excellent post! I'll be taking some of these on board and trying them myself! The results are incredible, you look fab!

    Jenn | PhotoJennic

    x

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  17. wow, amazing body! you look FAB girl! :)

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  18. Your handwork shows! Here is my favorite 5 minute ab workout

    http://www.inallofhersplendor.com/2014/02/28/pilates-series-of-5-remix-intensity/

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  19. You look amazing:) Whatever you do, must be good:) I really need to kick myself to the nearest fitness center:)

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    1. Aw thank you so much! Yes do it! you'll feel so good for it! x

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  20. Thankyou for the amazing inspiration!!x

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    1. aw thank you - so glad you find it inspiring! x

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  21. Such a helpful post!! I really need to get myself down to the gym so this is a great pointer:) x

    www.thebeautymist.com

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  22. OH GOOD GOD THEM ABS GURLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Wow you are now my fitspo, seriously, like oh mah gawd!

    My abs have someeee tone and some definition but my god not anywhere near yours and I now want more haha!
    I currently work out 5/6 days a week, doing a mixture of classes (10 a week) like spinning, body pump, body combat, yoga, mma, core conditioning, body tone, pilates, OWT, and I run 5k in my local park twice a week. I eat healthily for the most part and all, but umm...think I need to fit in some wave machine time haha!

    Oh and a Triangl bikini cos like, yeah.

    You look AMAZING!!
    Holly Mixtures
    xx

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    1. aha ohhhhww this comment made me blush thank you! woweee you do SO much more exercise than me!!! you're gonna look like a victoria secrets model in no time and you must be so fit and healthy, you go girl, you're my fitspo! xxxx

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  23. You look great! I love the gym and love reading other bloggers fitness regimes. Check one of my fitness posts out here-http://lmatkins.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/fit-inspiration.html

    :)
    xxxx

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    1. Aw thanks so much - eek will check that out thank you! xxx

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  24. You have such a wonderful figure Em, abs to die for and an abs routine to kill! Nice to see you encoporating some weights in your routine too- although I'd argue that you've said 'more reps' for toning is best, for muscles you really want higher weights and lower amounts of reps ( as when you're building muscle you effectively want to tear the fibres to encourage them to grow), then again it depends on the level of 'tone' you want and how big you are to start, the amount of protein you're eating yadda yadda yadda.Obviously whatever you're doing works amazing though, if you ever do want a hand with weights let me know though :)

    xxx

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    1. Hey Hannah - thank you. Yeah, obviously like i said im not an expert, but i have studied sport and what i meant was, more reps, lower weight is for toning so yeah you're right, sorry if i didnt get that across properly. Yeah i know that to build muscle you have to do lower reps and more weight, ill go read over what i put as maybe it didnt come across like that... i dont actually want to build muscle as such im more into toning and like you said yeah what im doing is working for me - thank you, i will probably be in touch that would be lovely to chat to someone whos into exercise like i am! xxx

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  25. Wow, thanks for putting so much detail into this post! It must've taken you so long to write, I appreciate it so much! I'm bookmarking this post for sure, it has all the info I need at this point! Thanks again!

    http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/

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  26. An amazing and inspiring post! I'm going to Portugal in 3 weeks and I have been working out that little bit extra but this has just given me the biggest kick up the bum!! Thanks Em, I find it really easy to relate to you as I have also got a sporty background, I've been playing all types of sports since before I can remember. Well done girl, you are doing great an inspiration to us all! :)
    Love Elle xxx
    http://elledujour-uk.blogspot.com/

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  27. You look incredible! I have 8 weeks to try and lose a bit of weight for my holiday and this post have definitely inspired me!

    kelsie x

    kelsielaurenxo.blogspot.co.uk

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  28. Today’s I found it finally. I even have gathered additional information from your web site.
    Natural weight loss tips

    ReplyDelete


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