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3/10/2026 6:24:40 AM EDT
I've been on a bit of a weight loss journey, currently down 260lbs. I signed up for a membership at the YMCA in town yesterday and am wanting to start working out. Our Y is fairly small, i didn't see any free weights but they do have about 20 weight machines and a few treadmills. I don't know what exercises to do or even what half of the machines they have do.

Is there a good website or app that can help plan a workout?
3/10/2026 6:29:23 AM EDT
[#1]
The best money you will ever spend if you have never been in a gym before is on a personal trainer.  A good one will teach you the proper form for exercises to prevent injuries.

Don't go at it on your own.
Middleofnowhere, Nebraska
3/10/2026 6:31:52 AM EDT
[#2]
I'm not sure one exists in this small town and if its the chain smoking granny that was working the counter at the ymca it's not going to inspire me.
3/10/2026 6:59:41 AM EDT
[#3]
Is there a high school football coach in your small town?
3/10/2026 7:19:40 AM EDT
[#4]
I use Fitbod to track and keep up everything.
3/10/2026 7:58:58 AM EDT
[#5]
The machines are fairly self explanatory.  Do  a circuit daily. Work till it hurts a bit. Don't over due it. Work a day rest a day until you reach a rhythm and start adding weight/resistance.  I started with nautilus machine 10 years ago at 64. Work out daily
Not trying to be Arnold but certainly more fit than a bunch of 70 somethings
SOCIALISM COMMUNISM AND FACISM ONLY WORK WHEN BOOT HEEL OF A POLITICAL CLASS IS ON THE NECK OF THE WORKING CLASS, PICKING POCKETS FOR THE LEISURE CLASS
Fighting Commies since 1969
3/10/2026 8:50:53 AM EDT
[#6]
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Whoever double-crosses me and leaves me alive, he understands nothing about Tuco. Nothing!
3/10/2026 9:11:01 AM EDT
[#7]
Use AI. Give it as much detail as you can
3/10/2026 9:26:41 AM EDT
[#8]
Is there no local gym that has squat racks?  I'd buy a copy of Rippetoe's Starting Strength and join a different gym.
"Do not overthink it, gentlemen. It's only a gunfight, not an IRS tax audit." - Louis Awerbuck
3/10/2026 11:17:14 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By 10mmillie:
Is there a high school football coach in your small town?
View Quote




From what I remember of coaches and weight training in the 80's, I think that sounds like a bed idea for a beginner that isn't 17 years old.
I love a good double entendre.
3/10/2026 11:30:00 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Originally Posted By trails-end:




From what I remember of coaches and weight training in the 80's, I think that sounds like a bed idea for a beginner that isn't 17 years old.
View Quote


"from what I remember from 45 years ago...."
3/10/2026 12:31:58 PM EDT
[Last Edit: B556][Edited] [#11]
I try to get my steps in most days, and lift 3-4 days a week, 1 hour. I like full-ish body workouts, not really into body part splits. A push, a pull, a squat, and back extensions. Always back extensions for me lol!

Barbells, dumbbells, machines, body weight... all have a place. Figure out what you enjoy to do so you are likely to keep doing it. Take it slow, and expect a few set backs along the way. Figure out what schedule works best for you and stick to it as much as you can!
3/10/2026 12:43:03 PM EDT
[#12]
Boostcamp app has 1000's of routines including all the popular ones with user reviews for all of them.  A few of them are for paid members only, but most a free.  There's videos for every exercise and recommendations for similar movements depending on equipment. It's very usable in the free version, but paid is better.  It's the only app I pay for.  I'm sure there's others that do the same, but I'm not familiar with them.

It's worth downloading for free just to sort through routines and read reviews.
3/14/2026 8:59:02 AM EDT
[#13]
If you never really lifted.

Starting Strength is hard to beat to get rolling.

It's dead simple, doesn't take long at all, and keeps you consistent.

Do it for 8-12 weeks, then get an idea of what you want out of the process and move on to something else.

It catches a lot of shit, but people use it incorrectly. It's meant to be run short term by a rank novice. Lots of guys run it right into the ground and get frustrated, you're not supposed to do that.

Moving from that to 531 or even GreySkull LP is a good strategy.

https://startingstrength.com/get-started/programs
If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.
3/15/2026 12:06:32 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Tanren37][Edited] [#14]
Quote History
Originally Posted By sitdwnandhngon:
If you never really lifted.

Starting Strength is hard to beat to get rolling.

It's dead simple, doesn't take long at all, and keeps you consistent.

Do it for 8-12 weeks, then get an idea of what you want out of the process and move on to something else.

It catches a lot of shit, but people use it incorrectly. It's meant to be run short term by a rank novice. Lots of guys run it right into the ground and get frustrated, you're not supposed to do that.

Moving from that to 531 or even GreySkull LP is a good strategy.

https://startingstrength.com/get-started/programs
View Quote



SS would do itself a favor with a nice "beach body" circuit finisher, especially for the newbies or females that can handle more volume.  Something like a waterer down WOD, low intensity, high volume, 3-4 movements.

Wouldn't be a bad app idea.    

3/15/2026 7:52:16 AM EDT
[Last Edit: sitdwnandhngon][Edited] [#15]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Tanren37:



SS would do itself a favor with a nice "beach body" circuit finisher, especially for the newbies or females that can handle more volume.  Something like a waterer down WOD, low intensity, high volume, 3-4 movements.

Wouldn't be a bad app idea.    

View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By Tanren37:
Originally Posted By sitdwnandhngon:
If you never really lifted.

Starting Strength is hard to beat to get rolling.

It's dead simple, doesn't take long at all, and keeps you consistent.

Do it for 8-12 weeks, then get an idea of what you want out of the process and move on to something else.

It catches a lot of shit, but people use it incorrectly. It's meant to be run short term by a rank novice. Lots of guys run it right into the ground and get frustrated, you're not supposed to do that.

Moving from that to 531 or even GreySkull LP is a good strategy.

https://startingstrength.com/get-started/programs



SS would do itself a favor with a nice "beach body" circuit finisher, especially for the newbies or females that can handle more volume.  Something like a waterer down WOD, low intensity, high volume, 3-4 movements.

Wouldn't be a bad app idea.    



Honestly I think just restructuring it a bit so it's not so squat heavy is a good idea.

Dan John has said that looking back, he wishes he didn't lean so hard on the squat.

A Squat/Row day and a Deadlift/Press day is a good balance, then finish with pushups or dips and chinups or inverted rows.

But...that adds complexity, and one thing that's nice about SS is just how stupidly simple it is. It's a good training tool in consistency.

I still think the most effective program for most people with general goals is Boring But Big. It just works, but it's much more difficult than SS.
If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.
3/22/2026 6:37:19 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Mike_Golf:
Use AI. Give it as much detail as you can
View Quote


I’ve been doing this for 6 months and the workouts are awesome.

Just tell it the equipment available, time available, and the goal of the workout.

This was today’s session. 1 hour long.

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3/30/2026 8:51:04 AM EDT
[#17]
I hate to admit this, but I actually used Grok to come up with my new plan. I asked for a PPL routine based on my age, goals and listed my available equipment.
"Life is Hard, its Harder if You're Stupid" - John Wayne
3/30/2026 10:44:43 AM EDT
[#18]
My wife and I have had great success with the athlean-x workouts

He has very good videos demonstrating proper form. You cold most likely get most of his info from his you tube channel, but it was worth it to us to purchase a few of the programs.

Currently going through teh "Xpress" program. Workouts are 30 minutes in length. I have no desire to be in my basement gym any longer than I have to when its nice outside.
3/30/2026 10:54:48 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Currahee][Edited] [#19]
You already lost 260 pound, or you are down to 260?

Need a lot more info to offer any advice.

What is your current age, weight, fitness level? What type of exercise have you done in the past?

Most people are just telling you what they like to do, which might or might not work for them. And might or might tot work for you.

i'm no expert and my only advice for aging males is resistance training mixed with cardio. You can't skip the cardio even though I hate it.

If you have machines available, start light and work your way up read the directions. Watch videos on YouTube find a type of cardio that you enjoy and will stick with.

The most important thing about any exercise program (after safety) is consistency so you have to like doing it.

Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case of the Greeks and Romans and must be that of every free state. -T Jefferson

https://everycitizenasoldier.blogspot.com/
3/30/2026 10:58:38 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Currahee:
You already lost 260 pound, or you are down to 260?
View Quote



I believe it is close to both of those being correct

OP has put in some work

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