Need fitness/gym help

A lot depends on your level of fitness. When I first starting working out, I was pretty out of shape. I started with the treadmill, but quickly decided that the elliptical trainer was easier on my joints. I usually do 30-60 minutes of cardio (again, you have to decide your level of fitness and what your body can handle) then I lift weights for about 30 minutes, depending on which muscle groups I'm doing. If you're feeling nervous, I would avoid the free weights. That area of the gym can be intimidating if you're new to lifting. Most of the machine weights have diagrams and instructions printed on them. Start low. A weight is heavy enough if you find it challenging to lift the weight for the last 3-4 repetitions. If you struggle to lift the 2nd or 3rd rep, it's too heavy. Take your time and make sure that you have the correct form...there's no point at all in lifting incorrectly.

As the previous poster said, there is usually a staff member willing to help you out. Every gym I've ever belonged to gives you a free orientation session with a trainer as part of your membership. Check to see if you have that benefit.

Good luck! You're about to start on a great journey!

Ask your gym about setting up a program for you. Normally they include one session with a trainer to get your started, and to introduce you to the concept of working with a trainer, in other words to get you hooked and buy their services.

When you start lifting weights, start out slowly, doing only one set of 15-0 repetitions for each exercise. When you can do this easily and without being sore, add another set. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, push yourself the first few weeks of lifting weights. You will get way too sore and possibly stop. I've had alot of years experience lifting weights with many starts and stops along the way and this type of program works best for me.

Hopefully a trainer will set you up on a program where you do 1/2 of the body one day and the other half the second day. This is much easier on the body than doing the whole body 3 times per week. A good program is lifting weights 4 days a week, possibly mon tues, thurs, fri, then doing cardio only on Wed and Sat/Sun. Always take at least one day off completely to rest your body and your mind.

Hope that helps

I agree w/everyone! Definitely take advantage of free personal training, if it's part of your membership, or pay for 1 or 2 sessions. Be sure to let the trainer know that you're a novice looking for a good routine to start off with. Form is very important b/c you don't want to end up injured. The trainer can show you how the machines work--most of very easy to figure out. Start off slow & as you get more comfortable you can increase time or intensity once the workout gets easy. Remember that everyone there was a novice once.

I focus mostly on cardio b/c I have lots of weight to lose & was pretty muscular to begin with. When I first started I stuck with the elliptical--easiest on the joints--and incorporated the treadmill (walk/run intervals) & stairmaster as my endur&nce increased. I started with 30 mins--I work with kids so I had decent endurance--and now can do 1hr+ on all of the machines at a moderately high level. So just give a few different machines a go & figure out what you can do and just work up from there. Even 5-10 mins on a machine or two is better than nothing!

Have fun too!