First time ever going to the gym!

[Gymnoob]

I am slightly terrified 🤣

What on earth do I do?

You probably wonder why I am even going - we were very kindly gifted David Lloyd membership for a year and want to make the most. Previously I am a yoga or Pilates person. I have looked and all the sessions in the evenings are fully booked so I think I will be stuck in the gym. Can you do yoga in a gym?

I HATE cardio with a passion although perhaps need to work on that.

I have a personal trainer booked as it’s compulsory. What do I say for my goals? Or things I would like to try?

What do I need? I don’t own any actual suitable shoes as all my previous exercise is bare foot 🤣

Any etiquette/ dos and donts?

Completely out my depth here! Many questions sorry

Look at the classes they offer and book any that appeal- try out lots and you should be able to find a few that you get on with well.

For etiquette- wear headphones if you want to listen to music, wipe down your equipment when you're finished (most gyms provide spray and wipes) don't have loud phone conversations for 30minutes whilst walking on a treadmill.

Ask for advice about any of the machinery, and don't be afraid to venture in to the free weights areas.

We’re with David Lloyd too and you can book classes a week in advance on the App, so be quick to keep checking and book. Try lots of classes to see what you might like.

Buy some good trainers, workout clothing, and take a mini towel or use the disposable paper towels to wipe your face. Wipe down equipment after use with their spray bottle and paper towels.

Don't hog equipment if you aren’t using it ie sitting on your phone, and not just pausing between sets.

Your goals can be whatever you want them to be! It can be as simple as maintaining current fitness, or aiming to get fitter, gain/lose weight, tone up, strengthen core, injury rehab etc.

I'd never been in a gym when I joined. Book classes that look interesting (at ours yoga and pilates book out almost instantly), try things, ask others what class they like. Get an induction in the gym and have an audiobook on the go. Be chatty and you'll make acquaintances.

Wow, gifted david lloyd membership for a year...someone likes you!!

I've just had a PT session at the gym at my club. I haven't done gym stuff for ages but wanted to do some strength training. Top tip: everyone there is so self obsessed they won't bat an eyelid at what you are doing or wearing. Top tip 2: make sure the PT tells you exactly what to do to minimise injury risk; And top tip 3, everyone seems to wear shapeless black tees and joggers so don't worry about clothes!

Whatever you worry about don't let it be clothes! Agree that black joggers and tshirt will tick the box

DL have tons of classes on demand, via the app. I often do a yoga or Pilates class that way, while on a mat in the gym, with headphones. You do have to be sharpish booking classes live, they are very popular. Hope you enjoy your membership!

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, and a good pair of trainers (my old ones needed replacing as I could feel my back hurting, my new ones are currently giving me blisters 😫). Make up some good playlists so you don't keep having to stop to change your music. I find some music motivates me more (and yes I smile whilst I'm working out).

Don't worry about other people. Most are in the 'zone' the most I get is a nod or smile off people I see regularly occasionally a "hi". The people who stop to talk to me are my pt and my class instructor (usually when I'm wandering about).

Most of all enjoy it!

Happy new year everyone!

Thank you some good tips here.

I am glad you can do yoga in the gym but annoying the classes seeming to be booked up is so common!

I don’t want the pt to go too hard on me so maybe I will say ‘maintaining current fitness’ goal 😂

Any trainer recommendations? Ideally I want one shoe which can all gym/classes and also do badminton. Might have a go at the padel.

Does such a shoe exist?

Also dressing gowns and sliders? Can you walk around in them for pool or do you look like a Wally? Wet pool floors do freak me out! 😭

The gym I got to, they have mats around in the corners for anyone who wants to do Yoga or Pilates.

DL classes are on the app to book from 9 days in advance and depending on the club, booking opens 7p, 7.30pm or 8pm so this evening, booking will open for classes on Wed 10th. Pilates is the most popular class I find at all gyms so people do go onto the app on the dot to get their classes in the bag but they do have an alert me system so you click on that and if someone cancels, everyone waiting on alert gets a notification that there is a space and it is fastest fingers first.

You need trainers for the gym - H&S etc as there are weights around.

Useless comment but what an amazing gift 😍

Learn when booking opens. We set alarms to prompt us to book. Then it's easy. We usually manage to get on from a waiting list too, so don't give up if you think you missed out.

Expect the PT will just show you how to use the tread, bikes, weight machines etc correctly. So that's useful in the long run.

Would next be expecting a full work out from an induction session. (But you would get to enjoy the sauna etc afterwards..)