I work out 4x a week, 2.5hrs at a time.
I stretch every day for about 35mins minimum.
The 4x a week includes the time for serious stretching + dumbbells, then the Gym where i mostly use machines and moderately heavy dumbbells. This last just over an hour. Then i leave the gym and go to an apartment complex near the gym and i use their outside stairs for 10 flights, then its back home for 15 mins of aerobic.
Saturday i do the stretching + dumbells + Aerobic, no gym.
On Wed and Sunday i only stretch.
On Tuesday, instead of getting up at 5:10am, i get up at 4am.
This allows me to come home early on Tuesday, so that it feels more like a complete day off, even tho i did the 2.5.
So, by being finished on Tuesday by 7am obo, i then have the rest of the day off and then all day off on Wed.
Im pretty much a Nike person in the Gym.
All my gym shoes Nike's, all my shorts are Nikes (black)., and i usually wear grey T's.
I dont wear gloves, so, my hands are calloused from the years of "gym" and weights.
My advice to you if you are a male and want to start the gym process....(you should).
Dont wear socks that ride up the calf when you wear shorts and gym shoes

Find athletic socks, which fit the foot and ride just above the top of your gym shoes.
Save that classic (high sox) look for when you are in your backyard in August heat using an electric jackhammer to vibrate earthworms out of the ground to use as freshwater fishing bait.
To maximize your gym experience into the positive, you need to dress as tho you belong there which means you dont dress for the gym as tho you belong back on the earthworm farm.
Take off your rings, watch, chains.
Do not bring a gallon water jug to the gym.
Turn off your cell.
Do not try to talk to anyone, other then 'Hi"..... "Good Morning",.. as this annoys the people who are not there for conversation., which is 100%.
In the gym, you are in your own world, your own space, and so is everyone else.
And remember that the best thing about working out for years is that you get to die healthy

Ha.
<K><