Gym Help?

nshafer1988
nshafer1988 Posts: 11
in Fitness and Exercise
I joined a gym today that has access 24/7, but they only have the trainers there like two hours a day, and I can't go at that time bc I don't have childcare...so what should I be doing when I go, starting out? It has a ton of weight machines but I'm not sure if I will know how to use them correctly:( Any advice or pointers would be appreciated. Oh, and I don't have a spotter, the only time I have to go is late at night. Ill be going the first time in about an hour...

I have used some of the machines before bit the gym I used to go to was more of a women's gym and this one owned by a bodybuilder...

Replies

  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    skip the machines and go to the free weight section ..

    Familiarize yourself with compound lifts - deadlifts, squats, over head press, bench press, pull ups, chin ups,etc....

    I believe that New Rules For Lifting is a popular book for beginners. You can also you tube the above mentioned moves...

    Once you have those moves down I would incorporate them into a full body type routine where you are hitting arms/legs/back/shoulders three days a week and then mix in some cardio two days a week ...after six to eight months you can back off the cardio and maybe go to more of an upper/lower split four days a week with one day of cardio..

    good luck to you ...
  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    I would recommend checking out New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women, Starting Strength, and Strong Lifts. After you see what they are all about pick one and go for it.

    Jamie Eason's Live Fit is also popular and the Women's Health Big Book of Exercises is good too.
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    ^^^

    Most/many trainers arent even going to teach you how to do free weight barbell exercises. The ones that do may have no idea WTF they're talking about. Your best bet is to do a lot of reading.

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

    check out the stickies..

    If barbell exercises are too hard for you, you could start on machines. At 25, I'd imagine you can probably go straight to free weights unless you are extremely out of shape and uncoordinated.

    Just as important as form, you need a good program. You should pick something like Starting Strength, Allpros Beginner Routine, JasonDB 5X5, etc., an DO IT AS WRITTEN.

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