Joined gym but no exercise plan

At my gym the induction was literally just showing you the equipment and that was it. I thought that was normal. It seems a bit like going to a swimming pool and expecting them to provide swimming lessons (although I would love someone to show me how to properly do front crawl!).

I’d try out some different classes and when you find what you like, commit to those. You’ll see a big improvement going regularly and the instructor will help you out.

only thing you really need instruction on is how to lift weights safely

My PT is independent but only works at that gym, she prefers it that way as she organises her own bookings, clients etc. I found her through local FB groups.

I was a member of an independent gym where you were allocated a trainer and provided with a programme on starting. Unfortunately it closed this year and I’ve unfortunately gone and joined Anytime Fitness which Im really sad about. The staff there are the most disinterested I’ve ever come across and Im incredibly uncomfortable on the gym floor. Im paying my former PT for a programme though. What are the classes like OP? Do they have any body pump? The classes at mine are apparently half arsed which is a shame but you could maybe start off with a weights based class while working out a programme. One of the trainers is also running a 6 week beginners “lifting” course for women which I’ve seen advertised. Are they running anything like that?

You don't even get that much support at mine. An online induction (to tick the liability box) then there are qr codes and diagrams on the machines plus one member of staff in a vast gym. I have been using an independent PT for the last few
weeks and it has made a huge difference, she also does online training which is less expensive. I am much more confident with the equipment and settings now.

The really good PT at my gym is happy to do a one-off session or more regularly. He trains my DD and to start with he would message her what they had done in the session so she could replicate it by herself in the gym. Now she's in a groove of what she wants to achieve so he doesn't message her the plan unless she asks him! He is self employed and really flexible

I think it can be a bit variable. I joined one gym and paid for an introductory session and got weighed, measured and a beginner's programme (nothing too complex: X min of exercise bike, this interval prog on the treadmill then these two weight machines and this set of stretches). They gave me a card to tick off each time I did it which was a good motivation.

At another gym, I paid for an introductory session and got a fairly disinterested guy checking I knew how to use all the equipment safely and telling me I should do yoga rather than Pilates to stretch afterwards (but no specific stretches). I was disappointed.

In the short term pp have the best suggestions- online programmes or a one off session with another trainer

Yes, what you're expecting isn't normal for a gym. It's simply a facility and you would need to pay for personal training sessions; trainers are often self employed in my experience.

From what you say, consider one session with a PT, then a session once a month or so to see your progress. I've had sessions with different trainers over the years, and they are good for giving advice about form and the intensity you need. I've always found them kind and easy to talk to and have seen them working with all sorts of ages and abilities.

This does sound a bit rubbish. But i think it is the business model of some gyms. Its a real shame they were not clear they cannot provide you with any basic programs.
Do any of the PTS offer a trial session? Could you use this to get some guidance them say its not for you.

What is your fitness goal? How many times a week do you attend? Are you active on none gym days. Do they have classes like spinning etc there?

If you answer some of the above we can help. You can also use youtube to look up exercises to do in the gym. Lots of great resources on there.

Weight yourself. Take a photo of
Yourself in leggings and a sports bra or your underwear. Take measurements of thigh, hips, waist, chest, arm. A good PT does this to help you measure progress every 8 weeks or. So photos and measurements help so it isnt all about the scales and you see progress even if the scales stay the same.

You 'could' sign up with a different PT who
Does online only. Mine is 60 quid a
Month for online only. For that she gets to know you and then you get access to an app where she puts your personalised workouts on (with Demo vids). No upfront payments and once month notice to cancel. So you could just do it for a few months till you to to grips.

Yep, completely normal- you're paying for access to the equipment not to the expertise (unless you pay for the PT)

Good luck!

There's loads of stuff on-line to get you started. I'm not a member but you can join James Smith academy and get an initial plan to start you off.

You could also book a local PT and tabs them in as a guest? Or pay them to do some sessions at their gym and then workout on your own at your own gym?

Yes PT sessions are always expensive and on top unless you’ve gone to a very expensive gym (5k per year in my area). Ask if they have online programs.

alliteratively find out how much ad hoc sessions are and then do one a month?