New to the Gym

im_simply_karen
im_simply_karen Posts: 50 Member
edited November 22 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey y'al. So I finally joined a gym today. Anybody have any tips? I have never had a membership before, so this is very new to me.

Replies

  • colors_fade
    colors_fade Posts: 464 Member
    Don't be intimidated. Everyone is there working on themselves. No one is there to judge you.

    Ask for help. If you don't know how to use a piece of equipment, ask a staff member, or even someone nearby who you can see knows how to use it. Most gym members are helpful people.

    Get familiar with the equipment. You want to make the most of your time in the gym, but that probably won't happen the first time or two you're there, as you're feeling your way around. But plan on getting to know the place real well, so you can be efficient when you are there.

    Good luck. Gyms can be great places to build your confidence, and your body.
  • JoReddBowe
    JoReddBowe Posts: 25 Member
    Welcome to the gym! So happy to have you! The common courtesy things: wipe down your machine when you're done on each, and rest only briefly between sets in case someone is waiting on that machine. I can't wait for you to find which things you enjoy doing! I split my workouts into 3 groups: arms/back, legs, and plyometrics.
  • Ctbiggs
    Ctbiggs Posts: 99 Member
    Awesome!

    I always advise my friends to have the staff give them a walk through. Of the gym facility, equipment, programs.

    I also tell them the biggest part is that you have to go and do something.
  • MsJulesRenee
    MsJulesRenee Posts: 1,180 Member
    edited August 2015
    Always prep before going to the gym, get your headphones untangled, have your playlist ready, phone charged, socks sorted, water bottle chilled. I have all my workout clothes sorted into outfits so I can grab and go. Have an extra pair of gym shoes/headphones in my car and sometimes even a whole outfit in case I was to quickly slip in after work. Have a plan before you go in what you want to work on: upper body/lower body/cardio. You'll be able to get in, get out faster and not feel like it's an inconvenience to go.

    If you start getting bored switch up your routine or even download a new playlist, that usually helps me.
    If you are doing a lot of cardio go to a runner store and get your shoes custom fitted to you by an expert. Will save you much money and pain in the future!! They are usually the same price as if you went to a Sports Authority but you know for sure that they fit properly.

    The hardest part is getting out the door to go to gym, if you get through that one step you're golden B)
  • dfranch
    dfranch Posts: 207 Member
    See if you can schedule a staff member to work with you through your first couple of sessions. They can help show you how to use the equipment, show proper form and give advice on # of sets/reps you should be doing. Pay close attention to your form. The first gym I joined they took me through my 1st circuit and I went along my merry way for a few months. I thought I was doing everything just fine. Then one of the trainers saw me using poor form on the 1st machine in the circuit and followed me through the entire circuit making sure I did it right. I was so sore the next day. You're better off lifting a lower weight with proper form than a bunch of weight with poor form.
  • dolliesdaughter
    dolliesdaughter Posts: 544 Member
    Focus on you, not some dude, not some other woman, YOU.
  • jeffords
    jeffords Posts: 32 Member
    Bodybuilding.com and find a beginners program for female
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    Check out StrongLifts 5x5 -- they have an app for tracking and lots of online help, including videos
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