Gym for the first time tomorrow morning... HELP!

melissa_stocks

If your YMCA is like MY YMCA, they do have orientations, you just need to set up an appointment with a Wellness Coach. I LOVE my YMCA. You can have appointments with the Wellness Coaches as much as you'd like, no extra cost. They will work up a workout plan for you, whatever you'd like. Everyone is very helpful! I go 6 days a week now, I never would have thought that could happen! Good luck, and have fun!

Agreed! The Y is great! And they have staff everywhere! Just ask someone where to get started! One suggestion, do 30min of cardio EVERY DAY. Do it at once. And start with it before doing strength or u will talk urself out of doing the full 30min. Also, start off slow. No need to sprint ur first day! I was overhelmed for about a week. But then i became a "pro" lol It will take a minute to understand the circuit but u will get it. I people watch and learned alot! And hon dont worry about whether or not u r the biggest one there or if someone is judging u. What u need to remember is that u r there to better urself!

nikki2lose20

The treadmill is a safe start. You can change your speed every few minutes to increase your intensity and calorie burned. :happy:

icandoit203

you can also try a slice of toast with peanut butter, that will help so it's not too heavy on ur stomach. especially if you don't know if you are an eater or not before exercise.

dont worry i was nervous too it's not gonna be bad everyone will welcome you with open arms no judgement there everyones on the same path. To be healthy and have fun exercise is FUN.

perham07

Good luck, my first day was today and I was completely lost. I spent most of my time on the treadmill and was perfectly happy there. I also have alot of the same feelings as you but remember, we chose to join to feel better about ourselves and get healthier. Anyone who looks down on you for choosing to be healthier is just wrong. I wish you all the best

AllieCheeseburger

Awesome job on taking a big step in the right direction! Don't be nervous or worry about looking silly. Gyms tend to be full of a lot of supportive people who have all been new at some point. Just keep this in mind, if you think people are judging you for being out of shape, they're actually probably commending you for making changes to improve your fitness.

As others have suggested, start out on a treadmill or elliptical and find a challenging but doable pace. You can adjust the speed and the incline as needed to give you a challenge. While your getting started there scope out the weights and watch how others do it. I've been going to gyms for years and I still often feel clueless when it comes to upper body strengthening. Don't hesitate to ask, people love to show off their knowledge!

Keep track of your workouts every time too. Then you can start working on progressing from there. Trying challenging yourself to a minute longer or a slightly higher incline every few visits. But listen to your body, if it's yelling at you pay attention. Take it slower in the beginning so you don't over do it. When you feel comfortable chat up a friend, it's always motivating to see familiar faces. Good luck and have fun!

thohnfit

First time is intimidating for everyone. Do not be afraid to ask for help. YMCA's have very helpful people to answer questions!

ginaquinn2

Congratulations to you for taking that step. I'm no expert but I would say you need to eat but not feel uncomfortably full when you go. I think you should take it easy on yourself at first, don't complicate things so you don't get discouraged right off. You want to do something you can be a success at right away! Build on that first success and go from there. We can all walk so I would say start on the treadmill. You can do this for a while till you get used to the gym environment and you getting busy. :-) Take your time and look around while you are on the treadmill. You will get to observe others and then decide what you want to do next. Even if you don't have a personal trainer generally you can ask at the front desk if there is someone that can help you learn how to use the equipment safely. People are a lot more helpful than you might think. Go slow, get some successes so you feel good and just try to concern yourself with being as consistent as you can. Every body is nervous at first and everybody has had their first time in the gym...this just happens to be yours. Have fun and try to relax. :flowerforyou:

christenwypy

Thanks! There is no trainer or orientation (not that I know of) .. it's just the YMCA.. and I am SO nervous.. is that normal?! I'm so on the fence about it, I really want to start, but then I keep saying "What if I look weird" or "what if I'm the biggest person there?!" .. such a struggle!!

I feel the same way about going to the gym! I am sure someday i will join one since I only have limited equipment at home but I have had those same hesitations, I am sure everyone does!

lgpperry

If you're planning on doing any serious cardio, I would suggest just eating a banana and having a more filling breakfast after you exercise. I lovelovelove the exercise bike. I tried the elliptical and found it boring, and running on the treadmill is a huge drag, but the bikes are great.

Plus, no one can look at how fast you're going or how hard you are working when you're on an exercise bike.

jjnt007

I went to the gym for the first time in years on February 29. I was so scared. When I first entered the gym I was going to excercise for one hour. That did not happen. I rode on a stationary bike for 15 minutes, went for water, then I rode an additional 15 minutes. I did not know how to set anything but a friend told me to hit the green automatic start button and peddle. After three days I changed to a different stationary bike that had a back rest. I rode beside a man and I was so proud of myself because I was able to peddle for one hour. The next day I sat beside the same gentleman and halway through our stationary bike ride I looked at his resistance level which was set at 10 mine was on a one because I did not know about that button. lol

Now I take Zumba classes, walk on the treadmill at a 3.5 speed and a 5 incline (I built up to that speed over a month period), I ride the stationary bike for 20 minutes on a 5, rowing machine. I cannot do the elliptical but if you can master that machine you will burn so many calories. On Sunday I began with the weight machines. I do not have any knowledge so I will not share.

Do not be intimidated, you will notice all different shapes and sizes. Watch, ask questions, good luck on your journey.

jpfost

Every gym i have been to has sombody there to answer your questions about the machines, and give you kinda of an idea what you need to.

Di3012

I have no idea where to start. Any advice is welcome!!

Do I eat before or after? What machines should I use? I am looking to lose weight and strengthen muscles

Often gyms will give induction sessions when a person goes to the gym for the first time. They will show you how to use the machines and what sort of reps and how many to do. This gives you an idea of what to do and you gradually can adapt it to suit your needs.

When a person is genuinely interested in any subject, they will mop up any information on it like crazy (just goes to show what we are all really capable of really, doesn't it lol).

The other thing you could do is to hire one of their personal Trainers for one or two sessions so that they could advise you accordingly.

marci423

bump

mmklinemm

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/08/09/infiltrating-the-empire-how-to-workout-properly-in-a-commercial-gym/

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/02/15/how-to-build-your-own-workout-routine/

Thanks for these!!

jodycoady

I have no idea where to start. Any advice is welcome!!

Do I eat before or after? What machines should I use? I am looking to lose weight and strengthen muscles

Those are really good questions! I bet you will start a lengthly thread.

Me: I go at night. Because it's the only time I can get away...I wait 4 hours after eating a main meal....start off with the treadmill, or if you get bored easily, do 10 mins on the elliptical, 10 on the stairmaster, 10 on the treadmill....use what ever machine you are comfortable with. Load up you ipod with good beats, and that water bottle holder? Use it!

jodycoady

No one is even looking....and if you are shy, just shut out the world with your ipod or mp3:blushing:

stephenatl09

if you don't want to feel stupid because you look like a newbie, here's my advice.

go in, hop on a treadmill, and while you are walking and getting warmed up, scope the place out. when i'm on the treadmill at my gym i can see all the goings-on in the place.

and remember, the rest of the gym rats were new once too! give 'em hell

^^ I agree totally. This is what I do whenever I go to a new gym or are thinking of joining a gym. I go get on a treadmill or elliptical and just scope it out. You get to watch other people, see how the staff works, etc. They are usually easy to figure out too. Most I have seen have a quick start button that will get you going...GOOD LUCK ! that 1st step is the hardest !

Hezzietiger1

So, How did it go??

mclaughlin709

Just got back from my first day. I didn't really do a whole lot, i intended to go this morning, but talked myself out of it. After all day I decided that I would just go for a walk..... BUT! it was raining. SO i said screw it, i'm going to the gym.

Once I got there I was completely lost, so I saw en employee and asked her to show me how to use the treadmill, she was super friendly and helpful and told me that on my next visit to get an appointment for an orientation. Anyways, I did 20 minutes on the treadmill alternating between 2.7-3.5 mph.

Afterwards I literally thought I was going to pass out, I went to get the stuff to wipe it down and was really wobbly and had to sit down in fear I was gonna fall down! a little scary, but I figured I may have over did it for my VERY first time on a treadmill. (if not, i'm gonna feel silly, lol)

Anyways, I feel like I wanna go again right now!

Robertt300zx

take a good protein source first and before your exercise eat. also your's vitamin whit the moorning protein.

jjstokes

:flowerforyou: DO eat something before you go. an oatmeal square or something so your body will know it's OK to burn calories. That's how you get your day started in the right burning direction.:flowerforyou:

megsmom2

Good for you!!!! Its a healthy habit to develope!