Wanting to get a gym membership?

kimbelle_vie

Hello. I am looking to join a local planet fitness. It's about a 30 minute drive from home and 15 from my job. College student just wanting to lose weight. I don't care about weight training, I'd rather do cardio at least to start. I do have home DVDs but never use them, lack of motivation. So I am just looking to start somewhere. Get started. I am nervous because I was always the big girl that hated PE! I always got embarrassed because I thought people were laughing. Pros or cons on joining planet fitness?

suiteblooms

Well, I can't say anything about Planet Fitness because there isn't one where I live... however, joining a gym was one of the best things I ever did for myself. A few tips from me on making the most of your membership:
1. Change into your gym clothes at work and have a small healthy snack before quitting time. Then you won't be tempted to miss it because you are hungry etc.
2. Take advantage of the personal training options there. Usually a membership offers 1 free session, but get 1 per week for the first month or so to help you build knowledge, confidence and strength. If you can't swing the cost of additional sessions, give a fitness class a try. It will push you out of your comfort zone just enough to challenge you - plus it's a great place to make friends.
3. Make friends. Smile at someone in the locker room and tell them you love their running shoes. The more friendly you are, the more you will see that even the fittest people have issues. You will come to realize that people are inspired / motivated by seeing you there working hard, and you will gain allies in your battle.
4. Make friends... with the weights. I PROMISE : the weight will come off faster if you do just a few minutes of weights every time. It's intimidating, but put on your headphones to something that makes you feel strong and tackle just a few 5 lb bicep curls.
Well that's my advice. I hope it helps. Best wishes

suiteblooms

PS As for the self conscious feeling & embarrassment. There are 2 kinds of people in this world. There are people will laugh at you as you attempt anything in life. These people do not understand your struggle and are insects. Your courage, determination and strength coupled with your progress will crush them like the bugs they are. On the other hand, the majority of the people you will meet (and you must make yourself meet them - even the most intimidating) are encouraged by you, and are glad to be able to encourage you in return. Many have been through a similar struggle, others are proud of you for being there. They will likely offer guidance, words of strength and a spot. They will be the ones to notice that you got new gym clothes because you lost 10 lbs and you can't keep your old ones on. Both types of people can be a motivation to you if you let them.

kristafb

I'm 47 yrs old & at least 70 lbs overweight & I joined the gym last month. I had never set foot in the gym in my life. It was intimidating at first, but like the previous poster stated, I did get a personal coach for 1 session free & purchased 3 more (not cheap where I live $150 for 3 sessions). I found it super helpful to have her though & worth the money! She taught me how to use all the cardio machines & the strength machines in the circuit as well as showed me how to set up the machines & adjust them. She also showed me some body weight exercises that work my more problematic areas that I can do at the gym or at home. I've found that people for the most part ignore me & everyone else for that matter, they are in the zone, not there to chat, but they are pleasant enough in the locker room or coming in or leaving. I am really enjoying it and although my intention was to only do cardio I'm finding I prefer the strength machines.

We don't have planet fitness here but if the question was to join the gym or not, YES!

fishermanmatt

I've never been to Planet Fitness so I can't comment on it so mine is on gyms in general and being a overweight person in them. It's quoted from a page I wrote on my gyms website.

A link: http://platformgym.com/?p=426

"Joining a gym is intimidating.

I was 470 pounds in September 2012. I had lost 50 pounds in the months leading up to joining Platform Gym by changing my diet and swimming but knew I wanted something else. Still, joining a gym intimidated me.

“Gyms are for athletic people. Fat guys don’t belong in the gym.”
“They’re all going to stare at you and point and laugh.”

I didn’t even get out of my truck the first evening when I went to sign up. I just sat out in the parking lot and let my preconceived notion of a gym keep me away. I left feeling pretty defeated that night.

Determined to sign up, I stopped by the following evening and worked up the courage to go inside. Cindy happened to be working and after a quick tour got me signed up as a member. The following day I went in for my first workout.

In and out as quick as possible, I don’t remember even speaking to anyone. I was more worried about people watching me or getting in someone’s way than actually getting in a workout. My first few trips were pretty much the same. Little by little I got more comfortable and as I got more comfortable I started to realize that no one cared.

No one cared that I was a fat guy.

No one cared that I was weak.

None of my negative preconceived notions of a gym were true.

It’s been year and half now and I’ve become a regular at Platform Gym. I’ve still got a ways to go to reach my fitness goals but I’m down another 140 pounds and I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. The staff and other members have all been extremely supportive and helped motivate me."

sloseph

if its just cardio you're after why not save yourself money and go for a run outside?

(i hope this doesn't come across snotty, I've only recently been on the exercise wagon so i'm in no place to be tell you what to do)

evarga12

If you are starting off this might be the better choice than paying 35-60$ montly for gym membership. For 10$ a month this is the best priced gym around and you have all the equiptment you need to do your cardio and its open 24 hours! I have been to this gym a few times with a friend just because it stays open late but I never felt the same type of motivation that I got from my gym - the enviroment is completly different.

I have seen this with a lot of the people I know where they will sign up for a gym memberships and pay a large up front fee plus 35-60$ monthly fee and only go a few times a year. You should give planet fitness a shot for a few months and once you get your routine down then try out other gyms around your area.

earlnabby

Before you look into spending money, check out the facilities at your school. Many have open use hours for students and faculty when anybody can use the pool, equipment, etc. as long the sports teams and PE classes don't have them reserved.

If that is not possible, I definitely would check out a place like Planet Fitness. Their price is very attractive for a newbie because you can test the waters and not have to commit to a large monthly fee or long membership period (like a year or two). The closest fitness center to me offers a punch card option where you buy the card and it gives you 36 classes @ about $5 each. You can use the locker room and shower facilities but not the additional amenities like the sauna, hot tub, etc. I bought one for the water aerobics class I take 3 x a week and am now considering becoming a full member because I am going to the classes and I feel I am ready for additional workouts.

kimbelle_vie

Thanks guys! I am surely warming up to the idea more. Planning on going tour/sign up before work tomorrow.

rejectuf

Get a plan that doesn't require a commitment. Planet fitness is fine for a beginner but I think a lot of people end up needing a gym with better equipment and a gym that doesn't ban basic lifts.

MKEgal

I've been a PF member for several years; used it regularly for a while, became really uncomfortable with the location & clientele, fell off the wagon, stayed away for a year, and at the end of last DEC transferred to a different location which is a bit further away, but VERY different in terms of feel & people & parking & safety &... you get the idea. Basically, if that one doesn't feel right, go somewhere else.

PF is a very no-frills gym, but that's all you need.
I've probably used more than my annual membership fee ($100) just in hot water.
I'm in there 5 or 6 days a week.

There is (supposed to be) a personal trainer there several days a week, but I've seen the signup page & they take 4 people at a time, so not sure how helpful that would be. Other locations may do things differently.

Do look into getting at least a few sessions with a personal trainer, theirs or your own that you hire (search the member list for the American College of Sports Medicine* to find someone who's trained, certified, not a quack, not going to give you harmful advice, etc.).
That person can help you set realistic goals, help you learn the machines, how to use free weights safely & effectively, all sorts of helpful advice. Tell her/him up front that you're new, want her/him to help you set goals, learn to use things, and set up a plan.

* http://members.acsm.org/source/custom/Online_locator/OnlineLocator.cfm

MKEgal

BTW, other than being a lunk (dropping weights, grunting, being a jerk), or certain revealing clothing, I don't know that they 'ban' anything. This too might depend on the manager of that location, but I haven't seen / experienced any problems myself.

rejectuf

BTW, other than being a lunk (dropping weights, grunting, being a jerk), or certain revealing clothing, I don't know that they 'ban' anything. This too might depend on the manager of that location, but I haven't seen / experienced any problems myself.

So basically once you get to the point that you exert yourself, you'll want to find a gym other than planet fitness.

Most (if not all) planet fitnesses ban deadlifts and only have smith machines.

kimbelle_vie

Well it'll be a while before I start lifting any weights. Plus I have home DVDs like Jillian Michaels which involve little weight. I just want to start and see the weight coming off. When I get to a desired amount than I'll start the whole weight lifting process.

rejectuf

Well it'll be a while before I start lifting any weights. Plus I have home DVDs like Jillian Michaels which involve little weight. I just want to start and see the weight coming off. When I get to a desired amount than I'll start the whole weight lifting process.

And sounds like Planet Fitness is great for you at this stage in your fitness journey. I would just steer clear of any commitments and go month to month. You'd be surprised at how quickly you can find yourself wanting a more challenging environment.

kimbelle_vie

You are probably right about wanting a challenge. But for now I agree planet fitness is better. I just want to lose weight right now

kimbelle_vie

Hey guys! I just wanted to update everyone,I joined planet fitness yesterday!!! I absolutely love my home gym. I feel like it'll be a great match for me

got2befitnow

Congrats!! Getting a gym membership is a huge help with getting healthy. I'm sure you'll find yourself loving it even more as you get comfortable with all the equipment. Try to fit in some group classes - they're great at really pushing you.

Have fun!!