Joining the gym! Tips?

Having a program and knowing what I am going to be doing that day helps me immensely. I tend to get easily distracted and don't want to be those that wander nomadic style from place to place at the gym.

Start slow. Your central nervous system needs to adapt to the added stress before your musculoskeletal system can really shine. I recommend sticking to ‘beginner’ routines, going light and focusing on form (don’t be afraid to watch a ton of form videos for every exercise you’re unfamiliar with even right before you do them). I still do it all the time to avoid injury and make sure I’m activating the correct muscles. Really allow adequate rest in between each workout (48-72 hours depending on the workout plan you like and follow); eager to see gains we tend to think we need to workout more and more, but rest is just as important to rebuild those torn muscle fibers and remove built up lactic acid. Also diet is ESSENTIAL, even more important than what you do at the gym. Take it from me, I’m a newbie and 90% of the work I do is outside the gym, and I’m seeing fast, measurable results every week. These beginner gains will begin to fade and progress will become slower, which is fine, but once you see a complete plateau for a few weeks, you’re ready for an intermediate workout program that ramps up your workouts. I follow a beginner routine that only includes compound exercises (it’s the most bang for your buck) as you don’t really need to isolate smaller muscle groups right now.

Lastly, I recommend light warm ups before you workout (not static stretching because research has shown that can lead to increased risk of injury), But static stretching after you work out and even throughout the day thereafter and even when you wake up in the morning is very beneficial. Loss of mobility, which can be common in many of us, can lead to injury. Stretching has many benefits, including increasing blood flow, improving flexibility, and removing metabolic wastes from the muscle.

By no means am I a professional and it’s just my 2 cents, but I use to lift a lot when I was younger and I injured myself as a result of doing a lot of things wrong. I’ve tried to learn a thing or two from my mistakes to prevent them from happening again.

- Go and keep going! Even when it’s cold out, or raining, or you are behind on laundry or that big report is due. Consistency is key!
- Do stuff you enjoy along with stuff you want to try and stuff you feel you “need.” Too many folks focus on what they are good at and never explore other stuff because of the learning curve. But some of the most fulfilling accomplishments are from things you were terrible at and overcame.
- Remember that everyone started somewhere. Some of the most super fit people in the gym started in terrible condition.
- Don’t get down in yourself when you have a bad day. Sometimes just going and getting your body moving a little might be a big accomplishment. Other days you might feel like a superhero!

I hope you enjoy this!!

If u are new to the gym:

1) Learn what each piece of equipment is designed 2 do and how 2 use it. Ask for advice and assistance from staff

2) Decide what your SPECIFIC goals & needs are and wc equipment best serves those needs/goals. Also ask 4 staff for advice and assistance in this regard

3) ignore the noise and UNSOLICITED advice from others and focus on your specific needs and goals and DON'T worry about what others think or say, as long as you are are clear about what ur goals/needs r and u know (based in ur search and the advice of PROFESSIONALS) wc equipment will best meet ur goals & needs.

4) if you've done1-3, don"t worry about what anyone else thinks or says to u in the gym.

There are a lot of self-appointed EXPERTS in gyms who think they know it all (when they don't) especially men who think they "need" to give advice 2 women who don't ask 4 their advice.

Take it from a man who has spent a lot of times in gyms in the past and wh has seen it happen more than once.

Good luck!

Biggest thing about gyms: The overwhelming majority of gym-goers are paying no attention at all to you and your workout.

Number one is having a program to follow. That way you know what to do, and don't waste time. Plus it will help with your progession.