some workout questions
So I have a few questions about my workout routine and exercise pain and all that...
1. I seem to have very weak lower back muscles. Whenever I do crunches or pilates, or even push ups/planks, my lower back gets more sore afterwards than do my abs or my arms. So, what are some good lower back muscle strengthening exercises I could do to help this? When I do ab work, I curl up slowly and back down slowly, and when I do crunches I do keep my stomach in and back straight.
2. I've been holding up a routine (I'll describe it below) and I'm building muscles in my legs (and arms, which I've never had any in my life), especially the areas right above my knee, BUT they are still pretty thick. Should I just keep up with my cardio and eventually maybe they'll become slimmer?
3. Also, what are some easy posture exercises or stretches other than the exercises I already do? I'll admit I have horrible, horrible posture (I slouch, my shoulders naturally slouch forward and pushing them back feels awkward, etc), so I would like to fix it gradually.
4. I also would like to lose a few pounds. Nothing drastic, but maybe just 5-10.
5. Also, does anyone workout in the evenings? It's not ideal, but I'm pretty busy these days that it's hard to work out at any time. Mornings I usually don't have time. Then I'm at work until 5.
So, here's my workout routine:
I have a turbo jam collection, so I do mostly those routines these days. I've been doing it for maybe 2-3 months now. I also have Insanity, but last time I did it, I only could do 20 min and then was sore for a week, so I am working up to that.
So I do cardio turbo jam (40-50 min) every other day plus 30 pushups
And then the other days I do a 30-40 min strength training workout with lunges, squats, hand weights, elastic tubing, etc.
And then every weekday when I walk to/from bus stop and home and work, about 20 minutes in total.
1. I seem to have very weak lower back muscles. Whenever I do crunches or pilates, or even push ups/planks, my lower back gets more sore afterwards than do my abs or my arms. So, what are some good lower back muscle strengthening exercises I could do to help this? When I do ab work, I curl up slowly and back down slowly, and when I do crunches I do keep my stomach in and back straight.
2. I've been holding up a routine (I'll describe it below) and I'm building muscles in my legs (and arms, which I've never had any in my life), especially the areas right above my knee, BUT they are still pretty thick. Should I just keep up with my cardio and eventually maybe they'll become slimmer?
3. Also, what are some easy posture exercises or stretches other than the exercises I already do? I'll admit I have horrible, horrible posture (I slouch, my shoulders naturally slouch forward and pushing them back feels awkward, etc), so I would like to fix it gradually.
4. I also would like to lose a few pounds. Nothing drastic, but maybe just 5-10.
5. Also, does anyone workout in the evenings? It's not ideal, but I'm pretty busy these days that it's hard to work out at any time. Mornings I usually don't have time. Then I'm at work until 5.
So, here's my workout routine:
I have a turbo jam collection, so I do mostly those routines these days. I've been doing it for maybe 2-3 months now. I also have Insanity, but last time I did it, I only could do 20 min and then was sore for a week, so I am working up to that.
So I do cardio turbo jam (40-50 min) every other day plus 30 pushups
And then the other days I do a 30-40 min strength training workout with lunges, squats, hand weights, elastic tubing, etc.
And then every weekday when I walk to/from bus stop and home and work, about 20 minutes in total.
