Joining the gym what do you do there?

[bluenose1986]

I am joining the gym for the first time ever and booked in for a induction, but was wandering what everyone else does while they are at the gym? I'm wanting to get rid of the mum tum, lose about 1.5 stone and time everywhere. I feel like I need a miracle as I've got no idea where to start

[sniffle12]

I think my top tip is to keep it sustainable, and that means:

• Don't do too much - the instinct can be to think 'more is better' and wear yourself out, but then you'll only pull a muscle or make yourself sore, and then feel too rubbish to go back for days at a time, get out of the swing of it and lose motivation. Start moderate - aim to sweat a little and get your heart rate up but not be at your limit.
  

• Give everything a try - including some classes if available - and see what you enjoy. If you find what you enjoy you'll stick at it!
  

I think the most important thing to remember is something is better than nothing - even if some days you just go and do 20 mins of a bit of running or cross training and get your heart rate up a bit, that's still really good for you.

[Lalsy]

I am no expert, OP, but having pootled about for years in my gym quite happily, I have recently started doing more classes (short, intensive ones with just a few people, like kettlebells, VIPR and circuity-type things). They have really helped - it is easy to do a plank slightly wrong for example - and the instructors are very good at differentiating and getting everyone to progress from wherever they are are, IYSWIM. Ask the staff what they would recommend for a newbie, try that, ask the people in that class what other ones they do, and keep trying new things, would be my advice. Enjoy yourself!

[bluenose1986]

Thank you very much for the advice and getting back to me. I'm really excited about getting started and really going to get my money's worth out of the induction can't wait to get signed up for some classes aswell as I'll be joining and going by myself so hopefully I can build a few new friendships while I'm there.

[Lalsy]

it is quite difficult not to bond with people when you have done a Core class with them! lots of waving your bottom in the air and grunting, really breaks down barriers......

[Thebookswereherfriends]

I've been going for a couple of months. I do 40 mins, 3 times a week - treadmill, crosstrainer, recumbent static bike plus a little weight machines. I go to a fairly small gym and can go in the day sometimes which is nice because then it's mainly the 50+ age group rather than the slightly intimidating muscle guys and ultra fit younger women. I haven't lost much weight yet as I have not quite stopped my snack habit, but my heart rate doesn't whizz up to 150bpm anymore!

[bluenose1986]

Well done!! I think its definitely going to take me a while to get in the swing of things but I'm going to give it 100% I can only really go in the evening so not looking forward to bumping into the gym bunnies, I might just buy a pair of blinkers before I go

[bluenose1986]

Lalsy 😂 As long as I can find someone as un-coordinated as me I'll be happy

[Lalsy]

. I know it can seem intimidating but honestly no-one cares what anyone else is doing, IME. Most people are really friendly and encouraging if they do notice you at all - hold your head up high and smile. I think of it as my time and woe betide the (very rare) man who thinks I have less right to a weights machine than him!

[PossumInAPearTree]

I do 10-15 mins cardio warm up, about an hour of weights and then a 10-15 min cardio cool down.

[bluenose1986]

Possuminapeartree What's involved in a cardio cool down?

[confusedandemployed]

I've been going for years and I still like to mix it up - trying everything is great advice. These days I aim for 4-5 times each week, a mix of high-intensity cardio classes (usually a form of combat fit), pump fit classes (weights) and when I'm in the actual gym I'll do 30mins cardio (usually treadmill and / or cross trainer and then some fairly intensive weights, which i have built up to. Finishing off with 5mins intensive abs.
I love the gym so much I work there now!

[PossumInAPearTree]

Just using a cardio machine so either treadmill, bike, x trainer, etc for ten mins at a steady pace.

[OliviaBensonOnAGoodDay]

Another vote for classes. Give a few a try, see what you like. Don't be nervous, there will be lots on the sane boat as you.

2 years down the line, I'm still doing my 3 classes a week - body pump, body combat, and Zumba. I never thought I'd stick at it this long but it's become a big part of my life.

Occasionally I miss one of course, that's life. Or I switch it up with something else - swimming when it's hot, or a quick 20 minute circuit in the gym if I don't have much time. The good thing about classes is that you'll learn the 'right' way to do things, what works for your body and - hopefully! - what you enjoy. Good luck.

[bluenose1986]

Are PT sessions worth the money? I'm not very good going off and doing my own thing never know where to start or if what I am going is right but very good at doing as I'm told but don't want to waste money if there is a different way to get the same results?

[Thebookswereherfriends]

I think it's worth asking if an instructor would give you a programme to follow to start with. You then go in knowing what you need to do and can just get on with it.

[TheLongRains]

Definitely ask for something to follow if that will help you. After weeks of pottering about doing my own clueless thing, I had one session with a staff member who went round with me and wrote out a card with a number of activities and suggestions on it. Then all I had to do was pick up my card from the desk each week and crack on with the plan. I felt so much more purposeful (and it worked much better for my fitness and weight loss, as he actually knew what he was on about!)