Beginner's Question...

[saint]

I just began going to a gym and working out. Thursday was my first workout
and I worked my chest area. I used 2 machines, one where you bring your
parallel elbows together and another that simulates bench pressing. I did 6
reps and 5 sets of each with a 5 min run to warm up beforehand. It is Sunday
and my under arms and pecs are still sore. I understand that this is what it is
all about. Working hard, then recovering with rest and protein.

Question is, is it fine to return to gym after a full days rest, to work on
say my abdominal area, even if my chest area hasn't fully recovered. From
what I've read it seems that this is fine as long as the area that is still
strained is not worked at all. Or should I wait until I'm not sore before
returning to work on another area?

Much appreciated.

[ApPrEnTiCe]

Shame bud, no one's helped you out with some info. Wish I could but I might be tellin you the wrong thing. I'm no expert. Good luck.

Come on pros...

[bryanc]

Yes, it is fine to work out another area on a separate day.

[tootall_paul]

Don't go to heavy just yet. Let your body adjust to your new lifestyle, then hit it hard!

[monsta]

Beginers really should start with a full body workout. Do it for at least a couple of months, or until you find that the time taken to get a good fullbody workout is taking too long, the split the groups up. I'd suggest that you work with free weights rather than machines as they also work the stabilizer muscles, not just the targeted area. Start with the larger muscle groups as they use the most energy. They are... legs, back, chest, shoulders..in that order. But it may pay you to seperate legs and back a bit, because they can use the same muscles as stabilizers. Dont worry about too much about the smaller muscle groups yet(arms, abs) as they get worked doing the larger compound movements. Start with one or two sets for each group after a warmup of that area, and aim for about 8-12 repititions. Make sure that the weight you use is what makes you honestly struggle for the last 1-2 reps, they are the ones that actually do the work. You can find good exercises and tips here
www.exrx.net

[saint]

As a beginner I'm not adept to reading my body as an experienced trainer. If the muscle group feels slightly sensitive / sore, is it ok to return to the gym after a days rest for another workout on that area?

[westcoastfem]

You should be recovered from working one area of your body in about 48hours. If you are still hurting days later then you overdid it. My rule of thumb is that if I still hurt then I don't work that area again until I am fully recovered.
Keep your weights lighter to start... our muscles can adapt quickly to weight training but our tendons and ligaments are much slower to respond. Lighter weights will start preparing these tendons and ligaments for the heavier load to come in future weight programs.
Sometimes beginners are so anxious to get working and see results that they just end up being so sore and hurt that they can't continue to workout for days or weeks after that initial session. Slow and steady progression is the way to achieve results.

[tim mccrary]

hey pal, do yourself a favor and pay the money if you have to and get a trainer to show you what to do...then write back with any future questions

[saint]

GEE tim, what valuable advice. the same post on t-mag got vastly different responses to yours. thanks for sharing nothing though.