I want to join the gym but...

[VampyreofTimeandMemory]

I have no idea what I'm doing. what do you DO in a gym? Does someone give you tips?

I tend to avoid 9.00am as well, as that's when off-peak memberships start and the gym tends to be full of slightly older (but much, much fitter!) people than me so I often have to wait for certain pieces of equipment.

the gym I'm considering has a pool, I wonder if dd (9) can come with me and go swimming while I use the gym...

also, is the gym better than 30 day shred which I'm too scared to try?

Certainly at my gym the child would need membership and would be able go swim unaccompanied.

Even if you don't intend to follow the diet, check out this thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/2038913-5-2-Exercise-Fitness-Thread-Number-2-Advice-and-information-for-those-following-5-2-IF-Intermittent-Fasting

For loads of info about exercising effectively. Has worked great for me!

well I've done it, just need to book an induction... ironically, until I get hold of a bike again, I'm going to have to get the bus... to do some exercise

Any gym worth its salt will offer you an introductory tutorial on how to use all the equipment, I imagine it is probably part of their insurance to do this as well.

Most gyms offer a free fitness evaluation as well as an informal chat as to what you want to achieve, they will then tailor a gym routine to help you reach your goals. They often throw in evaluations every 3 months or so to check your progress. One to one sessions after that you will be charged extra for.

Don’t worry about not being in shape, the vast majority of regular gym users were at one point ‘not in shape’ so will just be thinking ‘good on you’ when they see you stroll in for the time.

Make friends, chances are there is someone in the same boat as you who can become your gym buddy, much less chance of you missing a session if someone else is being stood up.

I'd suggest having a look on the exercise forums here / any where for suggestions depending on what you'd like to achieve.
I see a PT twice a week for Crossfit type exercise - this works strength and stamina.
At the gym (2 - 3 times a week) I run on the treadmill, do free weights (arms / back / shoulders) and sit ups. Hoping this will helps toning.
If the classes are free with your membership, give any you fancy a go!

Remember to do light warm up stretches and lots of cool down stretches and take a water bottle and maybe towel.

I wear thick ish leggings from Sports direct and primark long vests.

Enjoy!

I'm about to potter off for my induction. I have no idea what this entails. I really hope I enjoy it.

I have 6 stone to lose.

cat have fun! and do share the experience if you remember but only if you don't scare me

I go to quite a posh gym (not because I'm posh in the slightest, but because paying the exorbitant membership fees motivates me to go! ) Even there, people really don't give a toss what anyone wears or how fat/unfit they are. People either keep to themselves, or are really supportive & friendly.

For the first few months, I wore fugly Target clothes that didn't fit properly. Since then, I've invested in some decent moisture-wicking adidas stuff - not for looks, but because I sweat a lot and it is so much more comfortable. That said, people really do wear all sorts, and nobody cares.

I feel bad for people when they say they're worried they're too fat to join a gym. There really is no judgement from anybody!

If your gym has Les Mills classes, give them a go. Body Pump, in particular, is fab. I go 3x per week, and it has changed the shape of my body.

I have been inducted!

It was the poor lad's first day as well so bit of a baptism of fire for both of us. He showed me round all the machines etc - huge gym it is.

So I shall be popping in after work tomorrow lunchtime and peddling away like a thing possessed. The machines are easy to use. You can set the resistance and they have tv screens.

What is body pump?

Vampyre I joined the gym 2 weeks ago I've never been in a gym in my life and I really really enjoy it!
I'm very unfit so I just use the treadmill,rowing machine,bike and cross trainer and I go to a few classes Zumba,bokwa,spin which I hated! Pump which was very hard!
Just remember everyone's there for the same reason

Youthecat body pump is excercises using weights I found it tough but they do let you go at your own pace

Maybe in the future then. I might have a go at something more gentle to start with.

Try Zumba or bokwa both very fun
I found spin very hard too! I'm a lightweight

oh, I don't think I'll ever be fit enough for spin...

Body Pump is amazing!

I have zero coordination, so I struggled with Zumba, Step, etc. Then I tried Pump and was hooked.

As Skivvywoman says, it's group exercise to music using weights. It hits the major muscle groups, always in the same order: warm-up, squat (glutes), chest, back, triceps, biceps, lunges (legs), shoulders, abs, cool-down. Classes go for 55 minutes, and you just follow what the instructor does, adjusting your weights up and down on the barbell between tracks.

The first time I did Pump, I could barely walk the next day because my muscles hurt so much. Now I've been going three times a week, religiously, for over 12 months and I never get sore, except for a mild full-body soreness immediately after a class, which is a feeling I actually really enjoy.

I've gone from using the lightest weights on the bar, to using 25 kg total for the squat track (12.5 on each end). I've lost inches off my hips and thighs, and have no upper-arm flab for the first time since I was a kid. And my bum has changed shape (higher and firmer). I'm not Elle Mc or anything , but I feel amazing.

You'll either love it or hate it, but I think it's the best whole-body workout class around!

cat, I've done some kettlebells classes and even though I sweated ALOT they weren't definitely doable.

were* doable!

Koala it was my first ever time in a gym that I done body pump so maybe I should give it another go but it does give a full body workout

Vampyre I'm going to buy kettlebells as my gym doesn't do a class

Skivvy, definitely give Pump another go!

It kills everyone the first few times. Also, I never enjoy anything until I'm a bit better at it (and it's not causing me physical pain). It's best to use really light weights and focus on getting perfect technique until you're confident. Then you can start enjoying the challenge of gradually increasing the weights.

OP, my coordination is woeful but I love zumba nonetheless. If the music grabs you, you will just want to move to it and won't care how you look – and you DO get better with practice in my case very very slowly.

I do think zumba looks like good fun but my coordination is also pretty dreadful, I'm worried I'd be trying so hard to get it right that it would be ineffective!

Vampyre, that's my worry about Zumba.

I've watched classes, and the people who are naturally rhythmic look as if they are moving enthusiastically and getting the most out of it. Those like myself who have the coordination of a gnat look to be flailing around half-heartedly, barely getting a workout because they're trying to keep up!