first day at the gym

TeresaC79

my husband and I sucked it up and decided to pay for a gym. we didn't really think we had the $$ but sat down with our budget and worked it in.

today is my first day, but i'm nervous. i don't know where to start. i've on day 12 of 30DS and I'm going to continue that as well on my days not at the gym (Every other day...we have three kids, so my husband and I will go every other day so someone is home with the babies.)

so, where do is start today? should i just do cardio? should i do some of the weight machines as well? what about reps?
any advice on a beginner routine is helpful!

busyPK

My first advice is to learn how to use the weight machines properly. Using improper form is counterproductive. Does your gym have intro days where a trainer shows you how to use them?

For me, I like to start with some weights (usually arms) and then I do cardio at the end. Some days I do more arm reps and less cardio, and then change it up to more cardio and less arms. You can use the treadmill, bike or elliptical.

iuangina

I tend to do my cardio first because I get to the gym right before the rush of people who come after work and I don't want to wait on cardio machines.

I totally agree with learning how to properly lift on the machines. You don't want to waste time doing it incorrectly.

TeresaC79

The guy at the gym told me you can't do the weight machines wrong and there is a sticker on them that tells you how to do them and what muscles they work. is this wrong?

i also didn't know if it was more benefial to do cardio first then weights or vice versa...or if ti even matters.

smiverz

do a 5 or 10 minute warm up on tread mill or bike this will get your heart rate up. then i would try out the weights see how u get on. you dont no til u try!! depends on how big ur gym is but i would do 2 sets of 10 reps on each machine just to get u started and used to them. finish off with some cardio bike/row/run. that should take 50 to 60 mins i would imagine.

stormieweather

I do a 5-10 min warmup on the treadmill, then my weight routine. I do a three day split, Chest/Back, Legs/Abs, Shoulders/Arms. Do 3-4 exercises focusing on the muscle group(s) of the day. I believe in heavy weight, medium reps (8-12). So my routine looks something like this:

Chest/Back day

Warmup
Lat Pull down
Bench press
Dumbell rows
Pull ups

Legs/Abs day

Warmup
Lunges
Squats
Leg Press
Slanted situps
Captain Chair leg lifts

Shoulder/Arms day

Warmup
Dips
Kickbacks
Curls
Behind neck press
Rear Lateral Raises

Here is a really good site with actual gifs of each exercise so you know the proper form. It's helped me immensely!!

http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html