I joined a gym and I am scared to death!

Right - no big deal!

Bring some headphones in case you want to listen to music or if you can plug in to a TV. Or bring a book if you can ride a bike and read at the same time.

Half the battle is showing up.

Congrats!

Just take your time, I find that the gym is my time for me away from 'home'

Talk to the trainer, tell them what you need and that you are just starting and plan to work your way up to jogging and working with weights, sometimes they will go over things that are way over your head and leave you intimated and never wanting to come back.

Good luck and do not be intimated by others - I honestly love it when I see new faces at the gym and people who are just starting out it makes me want to cheer them on make sure they keep come back!

Just remember everyone had a first day at the gym

Similar situation. Been using a calorie app for almost a year now...only started exercising a bit last week. Just starting slow ( 20-30 min on treadmill 3-4 times a week with a little Nautilus on upper body); I'll consider tweaking things in a couple weeks. Right now, I need to get in the habit of showing up. Good luck to you.

I just joined a gym about 2.5 weeks back and my advice to you is-- start with the less scary equipment and low weights.

I'd actually recommend a stationary cycle or rowing machine over the treadmill as there's a lower chance of injury(and I usually find that pacing my breathing is easier on them, wheras if I try to run I totally forget how to breath and wipe out in five minutes, but that's me).

Talking to the trainer is also a good idea, let them know that you want to focus on form the first few times with your strength training. And don't ever feel pressured to do as much as the person next to you or more than you are comfortable doing. Running at 4 mph is still better than sitting on the couch, doing exercises with 5 lb weights is better than not doing any exercise at all. And make sure that you give yourself a day between strength work outs, and don't overdo it if you know you need to be able to use your muscles the next day(remember: lower intensity workout is better than no work outs). But I try to make myself go to the gym to just do cardio in between strength training, as A) it's exercise and it gets me into the habit of coming to the gym regularly. I also usually do about 15 minutes on the bike before my workout to get the blood flowing, and then I do another 10 minutes of cardio after, usually the rowing machine. I find I don't get as sore the next day if I do a little cardio afterwards

If there is a machine that just truly flat out terrifies you, don't use it. Ask what muscles it works out and if there is an alternative exercise you can do. There usually is.

Your first workout will probably make you feel like death, but you'll find that after even your first week things will be much easier, and then you'll be able to workout harder. Also don't eat 30 mins before your first workout(Just saying your body might stretch in ways it's not used to and you might use muscles you haven't in awhile and you don't want to get an upset tummy during it all), and try to get some protein afterwards, and stay hydrated.

No biggie, just get yourself comfortable in the setting first, at my old gym I had started off with the easy things, as that was what I was comfortable, then BAM! I'm in the Ga-doosh section with the big boys a couple of months later...I'm a 158cm (5'2") girl...... Lifting more than some of the guys there, now I am more comfortable in that section than the cardio

Go at your own pace, do what you feel comfortable and you will find that most gyms have a good and supportive culture

No worries! It's just a room full of machines No reason to be nervous about it.

My husband and I also just joined a gym but I'm also starting a C25K running routine with a friend 3 days a week. Other than treadmills, elliptical machines and other "leg" stuff I have no idea what I'm doing. I ran this evening so I shouldn't do anything working my legs tomorrow right?

I just started at the gym Aug. 7th, and am down 11 pounds so far. What I do is hook up to the wifi at the gym and watch a tv show while riding the exercise bike on a hill program, and start and end the session with a 3 minute walk/run. At first I would walk 20 seconds, run 10, but now I can run a minute! I know that will sound stupid to many, but with my asthma, it feels like a huge accomplishment. I also do a bit of weights every day, as I would like to make sure that I am toning up, not just losing weight.

Best of luck, and don't give up! If it was easy, we'd all be skinny, but just keep your eye on your goals, and focus ahead.

PS, I use visualization to help me. I just visualize a lump the size of a pound of butter for every pound I lose. So when I lose one, I picture that pound stuck on the front of my stomach, thigh etc, and realize what an accomplishment to have lost it.

You got this.. Don't be intimidated..Go to the gym with the attitude that it's all about me and to hell with everything else..Don't let your fears or worries beat you down..

I find that when I go to the gym, I work out harder and longer than if I was at home. I think just being around others that are working out helps to motivate me more.

GO FOR IT!!! Don't forget everyone had to start at the same point too! Hold your head up high and do what you need to do :-)