Alex Bowman is a tutor at Lifetime Training. He has over six years of experience in the health and fitness industry, including fitness instructing, personal training and studio instructing.

If you have a fitness question you would like answered by Alex, all you have to do is submit your question using the Comment on this Article box below. And remember - sign-up to our monthly health and fitness newsletter to receive your expert answer direct in your in-box.

Jess Asks:

I’ve just joined a gym but I’m not sure how long I should work out for. I’m very unfit and the gym instructor gave me a 1 hour workout plan and I just can’t do it and get frustrated. Thanks, Jess.

Alex’s Answer:

Hi Jess. I like to give my clients (regardless of whether they are unfit or superfit) a programme where they will be in and out the gym in an hour. This includes warm up, cool down and getting changed. There is no right or wrong time but you can definitely have an effective workout way within an hour. The best advice for new and experienced users is to go by how you feel with each exercise. I get people to use what is called the “RPE Scale” (Rate of Perceived Exertion). This is a 1-10 scale, 1=Very easy and 10=Extremely Hard.

With this in mind, every exercise you do you should be working around a 7-8 out of 10. If you get off that piece of equipment feeling that worked that way then you have done your job, regardless of whether it has taken you 5 minutes or 15.

I assume what your instructor has done is set you a programme that you will build up to achieving. However, these goals need to be realistic and quickly achievable otherwise you will get frustrated and demotivated. I would suggest setting your own goals. E.g. if you have been set the Cross Trainer for 10 minutes and you can only do 3, Set yourself a target of 5 for next week. Keep doing this until eventually you can achieve the full time. By setting these goals you will motivate and progress. Think how amazing it will feel when you can complete the full programme set! Also make sure you fill out your programme card. This is a great motivation tool as you can look back at how you have improved over the past weeks.

On a final note, please stick with it and set yourself goals. I promise this will make you feel better as you will start progressing towards the full programme. Remember, if you don’t actually like the programme/exercises then you need to get your instructor to change it otherwise you won’t enjoy the experience at all.

Stick with it Jess.

Alex Bowman, pictured. When taking up any new activities or exercise always consult with your GP first and ensure that you get advice from an appropriately qualified instructor.

For more information on fitness courses & more contact Lifetime Training on 0870 702 7273 or visit www.lifetimehf.co.uk