What should I be doing at the gym?

BigenFluffy
BigenFluffy Posts: 56 Member
edited December 20 in Fitness and Exercise
We joined the YMCA...mostly for the water park...but I digress...

I explored it today and ended up walking for 45 minutes on the treadmill. I'm extremely self conscious about other people seeing me without makeup...and sweating...and had no idea what to do, what machines to use...etc. I have only been to a gym ONCE, yes once, in my entire life. I know that raising the heart rate is good, but should I be doing old school sit ups or something, too?

The YMCA offered me a month of a fitness trainer with signup for free. It sounded like a great idea, until I saw him today. Having Mr. Hot-Bod around would just make me more self conscious.

I'm looking for any advice you guys can offer.

Replies

  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    It depends what you want to do. What do you want to get out of the gym?
  • warmachinejt
    warmachinejt Posts: 2,162 Member
    look up a women's or beginner's routine online. www.bodybuilding.com or muscleandstrength.com
  • abbym919
    abbym919 Posts: 23
    I'm similarly self conscious at the gym - I have three trainer sessions at the Y but I waited until a month of gym time before I actually asked for an appointment. Can you delay your free training until you're more comfortable?

    Machine wise for cardio, I started out with the elliptical - it's a really good machine for a beginner. You can increase resistance as you become more in shape - I like doing intervals (2 min high resistance, 2 min low). After three weeks of almost exclusively working out on the elliptical, I was shocked to be able to jog for 20 min on the treadmill... Not that impressive but I wasn't expecting the elliptical workouts to translate! But that's just my experience. I'm sure the gym employees would be happy to give you quick intros to a few machines, too!
  • maryjay51
    maryjay51 Posts: 742
    i dont go to the gym for a fashion show..i started going when i was a size 26 and im down to a 14 so far.. if i worried about what others thought about me i wouldnt have gotten as far as i got. ive had a trainer for two years now and am currently on my fourth trainer as i switch every six months or so for diversity. the one was hot as hell .. for some reason i never cared what he thought about me ..low and behold we wound up going out a few times and are good friends today. im 20 yrs older than him and we have both learned from each other about alot of things ..,no romance with us at all --just friends. be rest assured alot people there feel the same as you-- even the ones that look fit
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