I try to go to the gym around the same time everyday. Personally, I like to get my workout over with in the morning. If for some reason I have something to do in the morning I won’t go workout in the evening because then I’m not in the mood. I think it’s easy for people to get off work or out of class and then say "I don’t feel like going now, or I have too much to do". By going in the am, it also gets me energized for the rest of the day and helps me work because I am mentally alert since my blood is flowing. If you are a night person and will go every night that is just as good.
I do cardio 5-6 days a week and weights 3-4.

* Most every exercise I do 3 Sets of 12 Reps unless otherwise noted.    *Dumbbell "DB"    *Reps "R"
* When I do cardio in the Gym I rotate around on the elliptical machine, bike, treadmill and Stairmaster.

Please keep in mind this is only a reference. I am always changing up my routine a little to ward off boredom, strengthen more than tone or just to try a new exercise. I recently have been lifting a little heavier with less reps to get stronger, but I will never go very heavy because I build muscle too easily. A workout depends upon the individuals needs. If you need strength and muscle you may lift heavier or if you just want to tone and maintain do more reps and less weight. I like doing different cardio machines because I get bored on just one. I find it helps to read a magazine (or look at the pictures), listen to music or talk to the person beside you. This should be done without too much distraction as you don't want to take away from your workout. While I may do cardio at moderate intensity in the off season, in the on season I pump up the intensity near the end with intervals of sprints. At this point I listen to music and focus on getting through the workout. I may do 30min of cardio before my workout and 30min after or I may do it all before. I sometimes do 2min intervals in between sets of my shoulder/arm exercises to keep my heart rate up. You may wish to do an aerobics class instead of regular cardio. Adjust your workout to suit your needs.
Need to change up your boring treadmill walking? Try this:
For every 30sec, increase your incline by .5. At 10 min you will be walking at a 10% incline. Stop there after cooling down,
OR begin to decrease the incline by .5 until you reach a 0% incline at 20min!
***I am a stickler on form. If you aren't sure how to do an exercise, ask a trainer at your gym to show you the proper form. (Don't ask too many questions unless you are paying them, but typically they will be more than happy to answer a question here and there for you). Research training articles in magazines that instruct you on form. Always keep your head up and train with confidence. Your focus should be on your training and not what's going on around you. This is especially important if you are spotting someone; your eyes are always on them! Don't use your whole body to perform an exercise. This is using momentum and is not safe or efficient. It would amaze people how much harder it is to lift the same weight without momentum via speed or body. Don't let your ego of pushing loads of weight compensate your form. Ex) One day someone (typically guys, sorry) will throw their back out thrusting it back and forth as they do bicep curls with a bar! Only their elbow joint should move as the forearm lifts the bar to near shoulder height. No shoulder movement should occur and feet should be planted firmly on the ground (if standing). Another common mistake that is commonly seen among women is lunging and thrusting the front knee over the front foot. You should keep your body upright, shoulders back, head up and KEEP THAT KNEE IN LINE WITH YOUR HEEL. You do not want to injure your knees!!! Think of pushing off your heel instead of your toe.
Please feel free to e-mail me suggesting what tips or improvements you would like to see added to these pages!

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