Scared about the gym

take a buddy along!

I had the same problem before. I had access to the free gym on a military base. All well and good except when you go into the military gym and have no idea what you're doing you look like an idiot in front of a bunch of hot military guys! HAHA! So anyways I stuck to the treadmill which is self explanatory but not really effective unless you do it forever! I've joined Curves and love it. Not the hardest work out but a workout none the less. If you want to go the regular gym route I would say do your research. 1) Google different machines and see how they work 2) Drive around to different gyms in your price range and see what the times are when they are least busy 3) Well I don't really have a three but I figured I can't just stop at two so good luck and if all else fails try walking around the neighborhood for about a month before the gym and I guarantee you'll sweat less

I would suggest that you make an appointment and get set up with an instructor that will go along with you and show you all the machines and help you develop a plan/workout. They will help you set the amount of weight and repetitions. Take a cheat sheet so you remember.

Then you'll know what each machine does and what part of the body it works. I start me workouts with at least 20 min on the treadmill and then move on to the machines. At my gym it's first come first served on the treadmills so, make sure @ your gym as some of them are assigned by hours and you don't want to be on anyones machine, they get cranky.

Ugh! I hate bad Gym experiences! Will you be going back to the same Gym? Before you join, I would ask for a tour of the gym and ask about the equipment. That is what my husband and I did. At our gym, you not only get a tour, you get an orientation after you join. They will show you each piece of equipment, set you up with a general workout plan, all just for joining. The majority of gyms in my area will do it. A Gym should be catering to YOU! They want your money and need to treat you with respect. So go in with confidence! Ask questions! )

FYI, the first cardio machine I jumped on was broken and there was no sign announcing it. It was an elliptical and I kept trying to figure why in the world it wasn't turning on. I was nervous enough walking into the room for the first time and then standing there trying to figure out why it didn't work! I turned around, laughed and said "I guess this is what I get for coming to the Gym! Machines that rebel!" and hopped on another elliptical! )

babe, theres no need to worry ! just be fearless in your actions. i know its easier said than done but it can be done. Now that you have made up your mind that you want to make a change, who cares that you will be out of breath in 5 minutes?...you know your goal and you clearly understand that you will get in baby steps! so go cycle, walk use the elliptical at your own pace! with time your body will get used to the motions and before you know it ! you will be a MACHINE! at the gym.

Dont be embarrassed just see it as one of the many steps you have to overcome to become the new and improved you!.

Stay beautiful!
-richard

I would really check the gym out ahead of time to make sure it's a place/environment that is going to be productive for you.Beyond that, just remember everyone else in there is trying to do the same thing ...get healthier, get in shape ,get thinner, etc.....don't be intimidated!

If you're doing some gym shopping, go check them out at the times you are planning on going, and pay attention not only to the facility itself, but also to the people who are there working out. If there are a bunch of meat heads, then maybe go somewhere else. When I work out at the gym, there are a lot of elderly people and a good number of really over-weight people there, so no one really stands out.

Depending on the gym, I don't know about asking an instructor. My first gym experience with one of their personal trainers (PT's) was a bad one. I'm on the other end of the spectrum - a really scrawny guy trying to build up - so I was already feeling pretty self-conscious walking in there. The PT was doing their "standard free fitness evaluation", which was pretty much him pushing me to go farther until I almost threw up. So yeah... I'm kinda against asking the gym PT's for help as a beginner.

A lot of the gym equipment may have instructions printed on them (all the ones at my gym do). And, there are a lot of videos on the web that show you how to use them. There's a channel on YouTube called 'standfirm' (http://www.youtube.com/user/StandFirm) that has recently posted a few videos on how to use some gym equipment. Take a pen and pad of paper and write down some of the names of the machines when you go, then look them up online.

Just a few ideas from someone who also had a bad first experience at the gym, but continued to go back and learn anyways, and now I LOVE going to the gym!! (I still won't ask a PT for advice tho, lol!)

Ask people for help you would be surprised how many people like helping at the gym.
Whenever I see somebody with that glazed look I ask if they need any help.

People feel a little special if you ask for there help.

I don't know how helpful I'll be after I just posted my very own fears of working out!

I've had years of experience working out at gyms, and usually employees will be more than happy to give you a tour of the gym and explain the machines to you. I thought that usually came with your initial start up. Anyways, when I was unfamiliar with a machine, I'd work out at a machine close to it, one that I knew how to use, and watched someone else use it.

I've found there's usually really nice people at gyms, and if you are working on a machine and they think you could improve your form, they will politely give you pointers. I've had this happen more than once, and I'm so happy they did!

L.