First time at the gym...stupid question alert!

[Bluesheep8]

Hi everyone, at 45 and having gained half a stone out of nowhere (thyroid test normal) I've bitten the bullet and joined a gym. I went for my 'orientation' session on Thursday evening and was shown my half hour programme which I did with the instructor. Time for the stupid question...is it normal to ache this much 2 days later? Arms, stomach muscles and ribs are really sore (bear in mind I've done nothing like this ever before!) I'm determined to commit to this though and have been advised to go 3 times a week. So, should I go while it's still hurting? Today/tomorrow? What were you like after your first time?

Ok, embarrassing update...arrived at the gym and couldn't get the locker to work, try as I might, so had to leave my bag etc in there and leave it unlocked (there was no one else in there to ask) AND I've now lost the £1 coin I put in but that's by the by as it gets worse from there...struggled to fathom out how to set the treadmill and for some reason couldn't bring myself to ask anyone to help (I'm normally a very confident person by the way) anyway, I managed to get it working, but have no idea if it was at the speed/gradient I'm supposed to have it set at. So I'm ashamed to admit, I did the 10 minutes I'm supposed to, panicked and left!! I feel like such an idiot.

I’ve done similar. Go right up to desk when you next visit and ask for help with how locker works. Then ask for staff member to help show you how machines work again. They can be confusing and you see lots of people being shown things. Sometimes it can feel as if you are the only one who is new or who doesn’t know etc. Long time
Gym goers regularly ask about new machines or about how better to use things. Just go right back when you planned to go. Small hiccup. That’s all. Really great you are doing this.

Oh lord! I hate it when it goes wrong!

I cannot remember how to set up the rower, the computer is just too complicated and so if I want to use it I ask for help.

Don’t feel embarrassed. I got I the gym a lot and for a long time. It still muddled me from time to time.

You went, that’s an accomplishment!

Pain two days after - utterly normal : I get sore when I restart the gym after a few weeks away

Locker woes - again utterly normal, but if you ask for help you have a good chance of asking somebody who was in your place a while back

Routines - I tend to do classes - things like Yoga and Bodybalance and spin - as then you have a trained instructor helping you work

Aw thank you all for your support and encouragement, glad I'm not alone! I am going to go tomorrow after work as planned and I know that the instructor I saw will be there so that's good as I immediately liked/trusted/felt comfortable with her so that's a positive thing. I will also tell her about today and laugh about it. And still, at least I did the treadmill part today, which is more than I would have normally done on a wet miserable Sunday morning, so there is that!

You're owning it girl!

if you're new then YouTube videos of how to row properly. I rarely see anyone doing it right in gyms even those with trainers. it will save you from further shoulder injuries and make for a more efficient workout x