Right, this is what I'm doing but, of course, happy to take advice. I know it's a bit unstructured and very unscientific. Or at least it feels that way. I'll check back later to see if there have been any initial reactions. As I say it feels... wrong on a number of levels.
32 years old
I think about 1.76m tall
95kg
The aim is go lose a bit of weight, although the fat is carried well(!) and build more strength. I feel I should be lifting more for my size.
I'm currently going to the gym 5/6 times a week. The gym has every type of equipment I'd like. All types of machines, dumbbells (starting at 5lbs all the way upto 120lbs I think), bars (and weights to put on there far beyond what I could ever lift). Squat racks and fixed/adjustable benches. The only thing it doesn't have is a rowing machine and a swimming pool! I am splitting things like this:
Day 1: run 30mins, cycle 15mins (either can drop or rise depending on how I feel/other commitments and I change up the cardio to x-trainers etc to avoid boredom). But it's fair to say I do about 35/45 mins of cardio a day.
Then I change my t-shirt (because it will be dripping with sweat) and hit the weights. I've recently stopped using machines so do... dumbbells. I'll try to make this concise but I already realise it'll ramble on:
Chest...
Incline press: 50lbs x 2 and then increase by 10lbs every set til I reach my max of 80lbs. So that's 8 sets of about declining reps. At 50 I do around 16/18 reps (it feels like a nice warm-up) and at 80 I'll do around 8/10 reps. 80 is my max cos I struggle to get anything heavier into position! I'm sure I can press more quite easily though. I can't easily ask for assistance as when I go it's quiet and there are very few gym staff around; the time I have asked the assistance was more a hindrance than help. The dude was holding my hands around the knuckles!
I could use the bars and free weights I s'pose but I think it's something psychological stops me. And I just realised whilst writing this I've never gone up by 10lbs each set; instead I'll do bigger jumps by 20lbs or something. Hmm.
Flat press: same routine but I'll start heavier @around 60lbs and stop at around 80lbs again. This almost feels like an afterthought behind the incline press. Weird. So in total 4 sets of around 8/10 reps.
Incline flies: Just 3/4 sets x 8 reps @45lbs.
In all the above I'll throw in occasional bicep curls, one of various tricep machines or shrugs @60lbs to distract myself. 30lbs on the biceps as I don't wanna fail on the bigger muscles.
Yep, I'll just move straight onto back. I'm not sure if I should perhaps mix the two together but I do know I enjoy the antagonisitic nature of doing chest and back on the same day.
Back...
Lat pull downs: Nearly all machines... and all lat pull downs of various descriptions. They all do feel different though and I vary my grip trying to change up depth and width on the back. On the regular lat machine I'll go to, I think, around 90lbs. I'll do it in the same way as chest too: starting lower then moving on. So 6 sets of 8 reps. But on other machines I'll stay on lower weight: 60lbs max. So 2 more lat pull down machines with 3 sets of 8/6 reps. I'm missing a lot of detail on back but again... it feels like an afterthought. Chest seems to get most focus.
Incline dumbbell row: is that the right name? Basically bent forward raising my elbow up beyond my back with a dumbbell in my hand. 4 sets x 8 reps @ 45/50lbs.
I'm going on a bit. My shoulders, arms and legs are set up the same way. So just a quick rundown...
Day 2! Start with the same/similar running and then...
Shoulders...
Shoulder press: Much like chest incline press I have to stop at 70lbs as I struggle to get anything more into position! Start at 40lbs x 2sets x 14/16 reps through to 70lbs x 1 set x 8 reps. So in total 8 sets x 8 reps (aside from the starting 40lbs sets). God, this must be hard to follow...
Lateral and rear lateral raises: 4 sets x 6/8 reps at varying weights. 25 (x2)/30/35lbs.
Upright cable rows: 6 sets x 8/6reps of increasing weight to 100lbs.
Bicep and hammer curls: 10 sets x 10/8 reps of 40 - 80lbs although anything past 50lbs is usually on a machine...
Legs...
These are always often neglected but maintain a good tone from the running/x-trainer/cycling.
Leg extensions/hamstring curls: 4 sets of 10 reps at 80lbs onwards.
I'll try to rest for 30/40 seconds between sets but, occasionally, will get interrupted by something trying to talk to me or a pretty girl walking past.
I don't squat or deadlift like I used to in the past. And I'll simply alternate. So day 1 & day 2 repeating until something interrupts or I feel like a break.
Pull it apart GAF, I realise it's a real mess hence me posting it. I'll also try to edit it down to be more concise. Any questions fire away (maybe on my diet?).
EDIT: And lots of tricep stuff that, stupidly, I spread over both days. Extensions (seated to a max of 65lbs, 4 sets x 12 reps)/kickbacks (35lbs 4 x 8 reps), dips and so on... Ugh.