Just joined a gym any advice for newbies

[oliviastwisted]

As the thread topic says, I’m looking to lose 2 stone via calorie counting. I have joined a gym to help with the toning part and I was wondering if people have any suggestions/hacks/ideas/advice for a gym newbie

Me too. My new gym offers newbies a free session with a personal trainer. I don't know if this is standard but I found it really helpful. He talked about what I wanted to achieve and then worked out a plan to get me there and showed me how to do all the exercises properly and safely. If you haven't done this I recommend it.

There are no hacks really.
Cardio machines

Make sure you speak with a coach and are using all the equipment correctly.
Weights
Do not jump in and start using weights unless you have coach standing beside you checking your stance/form and explaining what you should/need to do.

Strength training and circuits with weights is one of the best ways to lose weight/tone up, most gyms do some classes to give you some exercise ideas. Then at least 2 X cardio per week of running/cross trainer etc will help to supplement. I love the gym now, it's the only me time I get! Good luck.

Also make sure you have enough energy to exercise effectively. Eat something high in protein before going

If your gym does classes try out a few of them to see if you enjoy them. I always found being booked onto a class made me more likely to go, than just a session in the gym where I could make excuses to myself to not go.

I would get a personal trainer and pay for some extra sessions - you'll get much better value out of your monthly membership with some expert support.

You need a proper gym induction - the sort that builds you a programme that's realistic and achievable for you, finds the right levels and weights etc and takes you through technique. Some gym inductions are on the level of "this is a bike, here's how to adjust the seat" .....that's not good enough! If you have to pay a PT to get a proper induction then it's definitely worth the money.
Also try classes to find what you like or don't like.

Buy yourself some gym wear you feel good in. And the correct trainers..
Tie your hair up - you WILL get sweaty! And remember a water bottle.
Some machines have music so take headphones....
And remember every single person there had a first visit!

Gym induction! They will show you how to use all the equipment properly.

After that I got the gym PT to design me a gym program to help me shift the baby weight which I followed religiously. As I got fitter I would increase my weights, push the treadmill a bit faster etc. it was great!

Thanks everyone some great ideas there