New to gym, help appreciated!

So, me and my husband are joining a gym today, i've been doing zumba at a local class, but started slacking. My husband kept saying we would do stuff at home... but easier said than done! So, here we are! Figured this way we can drag each other, and plus my sister just joined so we have "workout buddies" anyways, I am completely clueless on what to do.. I went yesterday and we just did the treadmill, and eliptical and the bike. Basically I need advice on a routine of some sort.. And should I use the weights? I don't even know where to begin. I'm a little overwhelmed! HELP!!

Replies

  • Jo2926
    Jo2926 Posts: 489 Member
    Does your gym offer an induction? Or writing you a programme to meet your goals? Most do, although sometimes you have to pay a little bit for it.
  • I_GoT_ThIs
    I_GoT_ThIs Posts: 170 Member
    I'm not sure. My sister just joined and there was nothing to that sort offered to her. I can't pay extra.. this is already costing us 100.00 a month that we really can't "afford" but our health is important, so we're doing it anyways.
  • GuybrushThreepw00d
    GuybrushThreepw00d Posts: 784 Member
    If your a complete gym noob, get yourself on the cross trainer. Put it to as high a resistance as you can manage at a fast pace, and keep going for 30mins. If you can do that without issue, progress to the treadmill and run 5km, see how fast you can go.

    If you are wanting to look at the weights, you'll really need to get them to advise you... Or you'd better start reading. :)
  • budru21
    budru21 Posts: 127
    Don't be a cardio bunny!! Limit cardio to a few times a week....HIT THE WEIGHTS!!!! Watch those around you. Find someone that is confident and assured in what they are doing and watch them. Just observe and be friendly to everyone. Go home, go to bodybuilding.com and look up exercises for each body part. Mix and match ones that are simple to do. Continue to watch those around you in the gym. Learn to like lifting, then start asking those that you see on a regular basis if they can help with certain exercises that you can't quite figure out. EVERYONE WAS NEW AT ONE POINT!!! You can do this!
  • ripemango
    ripemango Posts: 534 Member
    ask if the gym has a personal trainer. They will often give you a session for free. You could also just ask advice from the staff for recommendation on a workout regimen. I find people are usu quite helpful and eager to provide assistance.
    So, me and my husband are joining a gym today, i've been doing zumba at a local class, but started slacking. My husband kept saying we would do stuff at home... but easier said than done! So, here we are! Figured this way we can drag each other, and plus my sister just joined so we have "workout buddies" anyways, I am completely clueless on what to do.. I went yesterday and we just did the treadmill, and eliptical and the bike. Basically I need advice on a routine of some sort.. And should I use the weights? I don't even know where to begin. I'm a little overwhelmed! HELP!!
  • Joanne_Moniz
    Joanne_Moniz Posts: 347 Member
    I am a personal trainer and can help. Please friend me
  • If you're really new, get someone who works there to show you the circuit training. They're the machine-looking things (the only way I can think of describing them, perhaps someone else would like to help as that makes them sounds a lot more intimidating than they are hah) and they're great because you can adjust the weight to what works for you, plus it gives you an idea of what working different muscle groups feels like so you know what to look for when you move on to other exercises.
  • I_GoT_ThIs
    I_GoT_ThIs Posts: 170 Member
    Thanks guys and gals! I will try not to be a cardio bunny. but that's all i know! lol I have a friend that knows more about weights and is going to come with tomorrow! Yay! I wanna do weights. I hear it's better and helps things move along! I hope so!
  • Jo2926
    Jo2926 Posts: 489 Member
    I'm not sure. My sister just joined and there was nothing to that sort offered to her. I can't pay extra.. this is already costing us 100.00 a month that we really can't "afford" but our health is important, so we're doing it anyways.

    At that price I'd expect it to be included - just ask next time you are there. Tell them what you want to achieve at the gym and they should devise you a programme to follow
  • I_GoT_ThIs
    I_GoT_ThIs Posts: 170 Member
    I just sorta winged it with the weights. ;)
  • Kebby83
    Kebby83 Posts: 232 Member
    Don't watch people work out, wipe down machines, Don't talk to people, do talk to people, don't make eye contact, do make eye contact, don't go on a machine next to someone and look at their numbers, do watch people to see what you should do, wear work out clothes, wear slobbish clothes, do wear make up, don't wear make up, put your hair up, don't put your hair up, do not be naked in the changing room in eye shot of other people of the same sex that are also not to be naked but get changed, do go early in the morning when no-one is there, if you wear headphones turn them down and don't accidentally sing, only do things correctly at all times - you are being watched, do not have a cell phone and answer it while at the gym, always make it appear that you are giving your best - give it all or go home - even if you already went earlier but now are just working off a few calories you over indulged on people don't know that and will judge your lack of effort - run at 15MPH with 15lb weights in your hands in-case someone is watching and judging, do not use those little colored weights, don't go with someone and laugh and have fun. Gym is serious.

    Oh you meant technique. Just giving the gym etiquette tips I've found on this site that have led me never to step into a gym! :)
  • Mell00546
    Mell00546 Posts: 158 Member
    If you’re interested in lifting look for a program that walks you through it. For example, Jamie Eason's 12-week Live Fit program is amazing for everyone but extremely helpful for beginners (I should know)

    You can find her program plus so many others on bodybuilding.com under find a plan. She even has recopies and a meal plan if you need some direction.

    The best part (that has helped me) is you can click on the picture of the workout you are supposed to do and watch a video or print our pictures or the exercise. I have my "workout bible" that I take with me every day to the gym. It has what I should do that day and pictures of the exercises in the back if I need a reference (I made it by printing Jamie’s program off the site).

    Add me for support or if you have questions :)
  • breyn2004
    breyn2004 Posts: 162 Member
    LIFT, LIFT, LIFT! :smile:

    Don't be shy... ask someone who works at the gym to show you the machines and/or weights (I like free weights) so that you can familiarize yourself with them. Someone there should be able to give you some guidance. And www.bodybuilding.com has TONS or workouts listed with videos. I think they even have some routine guides.

    Just take your time, study, observe and lift! Good Luck!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    New Rules of Lifting for Women.

    Your hubz will freak out and youll loveeeeeeeeeeeeee your time at the gym!!!! (plus the first 2/3 of the book teach you some AMAZING things and its a fun read! Ive read it almost 3 times!!!)
  • RainbootsToBikinis
    RainbootsToBikinis Posts: 465 Member
    If you’re interested in lifting look for a program that walks you through it. For example, Jamie Eason's 12-week Live Fit program is amazing for everyone but extremely helpful for beginners (I should know)

    You can find her program plus so many others on bodybuilding.com under find a plan. She even has recopies and a meal plan if you need some direction.

    The best part (that has helped me) is you can click on the picture of the workout you are supposed to do and watch a video or print our pictures or the exercise. I have my "workout bible" that I take with me every day to the gym. It has what I should do that day and pictures of the exercises in the back if I need a reference (I made it by printing Jamie’s program off the site).

    Add me for support or if you have questions :)

    I second this :) Live Fit is a GREAT introduction to weight lifting. I'm so glad I completed this program.
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    I am a personal trainer and can help. Please friend me

    how do you stand on the wall like that? spider man powers?