For all of you gym goers

I'm kind of an introvert, so I like going to classes at the gym. I've met some great people there. I stay in the back until I get the hang of the class and when I start seeing the same people, it makes it easier to go back. Being in classes with people makes me push myself more than a workout video. Also a good teacher will help correct your form. I tried 30-day-shred but wasn't consistent. I imagine that by the end of 30 days you are tired of the same 3 workouts. Classes will be a little different each time.

If you go at the same time every day/week, you will start seeing the same people it becomes more social.

For me, if a class is scheduled at the gym, I find it much easier to get to than doing stuff at home. At home, there is always something else that needs to be done. If I workout at the gym, then when I get home, I don't have to think about it. But it all depends on your situation.

Expect nothing. The gym can be fun, it is what you make it. Don't expect to be "ripped" overnight. Most of those people have been going for a long time. Advice don't step on the scale everyday, once a week was much better for my mental health.Find out what you like. I like to do mock tri-athalons. Start off on the treadmill then go to the stationary bike and finish swimming. I did this at first because I didn't know how to use the machines or weights and was too embarrassed to ask for help. You don't want to pull or build muscles wrong so learn the correct way to do things. The staff is there to help you. Just ask. Always clean and disinfect your machines sweat can be gross.

Regarding weight loss, it has helped overall especially in maintaining my weight after losing and health in general. Exercising does not cancel a bad diet. It did give me a little wiggle room when counting calories if I either went over or wanted a glass or two of wine. Try to find something that you will do long term.

I don't think it has more effects but different effects. Workout videos are done in solitude usually, but at the gym there are other people around to push you. At the gym you can tailor your workout to what you want to do. Some gyms offer classes that are included with the member ship ranging from step aerobics, kickboxing, to yoga ( i love yoga-great for stretching). Also some gyms have weight loss programs. For example they might give you a sheet of paper with ten things to do on it. You would jog down your times and reps, and track your fitness over a period of time.

If something hurts - stop doing it immediately.

Good Luck

My apartment has a fitness centre and it is very very small. I mainly stick to the treadmill, and then work out my arms/back on the machines, then go home. It takes me 30-40 minutes a day, and I get all sweaty and exhausted, and I feel accomplished.

I much prefer the gym to at-home workouts - after all, before I had a gym I could still run outside, could still do the Jillian Michaels videos. But I didn't have the motivation - home is a relaxation space for me, not a jumping-around-in-a-sports-bra place. But that's just me.

The treadmill allows me to set goals and accomplish them (first I ran a mile straight, then I ran for 20 minutes straight - next up, 2 miles straight. Then, 2 miles in 20 minutes). Using the weight machines is also linear - doing more sets of 10, increasing the weights when possible. It feels more like measurable progress, and something I can maintain.

Hi everybody!
I'm going to become a member of a gym tomorrow for the first time and I am not sure what to expect.
In the gym there's also a sauna and a smallish, but still usable swimming pool, thought I'm mostly gonna concentrate on the exercising part.
So, what can I expect from a gym? What has it done for you regarding weight loss? Do you think that it has more effects than workout videos like The 30 day shred for example?

Caloric Deficit is what gets weigh loss.
Working out (with weights or resistance) is what gets you sexy when you lose the weight.

I prefer the gym cause
-- I am there to workout, and that is my world, my therapy
-- I like other people's energy
-- gets me out of the house
-- plenty of equipment to work with
-- no distractions (for the most part)
-- can gain from other people's knowledge/insight

I like the variety that the gym gives me. Some days I get on the bike and I'm just not feeling it so I'll move on to something else.

Don't be intimidated. You'll be new for a little while but then newer people will join and you'll be the one who knows where the towels are and which machines work best and when the gym is too crowded. And, hopefully, you'll see those new people and how nervous they are and you'll encourage them.

A gym is a great community to motivate you and share collective wisdom.

Hi everybody!
I'm going to become a member of a gym tomorrow for the first time and I am not sure what to expect.
In the gym there's also a sauna and a smallish, but still usable swimming pool, thought I'm mostly gonna concentrate on the exercising part.
So, what can I expect from a gym? What has it done for you regarding weight loss? Do you think that it has more effects than workout videos like The 30 day shred for example?

the biggest thing i expect from any gym is time to myself to focus on me. i expect machines in good working order (and lots of them so you're not waiting around), i expect that both the clientele and the staff will leave me alone unless i need something. i expect that the locker rooms are spacious enough that you're not tripping over people while you change clothes.

as far as what it's done for me for weight loss... i honestly can't answer that because my rate of loss is ridiculously slow with OR without exercise. but it's strengthened my resolve, i have more endurance, and i'm physically stronger because of it.

Working out outside is wayyyyyyyyy better.

There's nothing outside that will help me squat 405 pounds though.