Going back to gym..help!

[mamma2013]

Hey, not really aibu but thought this area gets alot of traffic so thought I'd ask anyway..kick me out if you need to!

I am thinking of rejoining the gym. I've not been since last summer and I'm terrified! I had lost a decent amount of weight and fitness was pretty good when I left but I'd put on some weight during first lockdown and since stopping the excercise it got worse and worse and worse. I am back at work in a fairly active job and walking lots but I still miss the gym.

Firstly does anyone have a good routine that I could copy and follow in the gym studio on cardio and weights ? I am more used to classes but know my way round the machines just need help with timings and a routine etc. Yes I could ask an instructor but my confidence is really low.

Also, where is the best place to buy gym wear for size 16/18? My old bits dont fit now

Sorry if I added voting, no idea what I'm doing!

I've always found Nike to be good for 16/18 gym wear.

As for a routine - honestly, ask one of the instructors. They've been bored witless over lockdown and will be more than happy to help you.

Also, you are not alone. Our gym is totally stuffed with people who have put on weight during lockdown, and who have lost fitness. I can't tell you the number of blokes I see go up to a weight and assume they can still lift it, only to be horrified to discover they can't.

Good luck.

Thank you that makes me feel better x

@mamma2013

Hey, not really aibu but thought this area gets alot of traffic so thought I'd ask anyway..kick me out if you need to!

I am thinking of rejoining the gym. I've not been since last summer and I'm terrified! I had lost a decent amount of weight and fitness was pretty good when I left but I'd put on some weight during first lockdown and since stopping the excercise it got worse and worse and worse. I am back at work in a fairly active job and walking lots but I still miss the gym.

Firstly does anyone have a good routine that I could copy and follow in the gym studio on cardio and weights ? I am more used to classes but know my way round the machines just need help with timings and a routine etc. Yes I could ask an instructor but my confidence is really low.

Also, where is the best place to buy gym wear for size 16/18? My old bits dont fit now

Hi mamma2013

I was just scrolling down the "active" list of posts, and was drawn to yours immediately!
I could have been you in lots of ways in terms of being terrified! But unlike you, I have avoided gyms all my adult life until last year, when I thought going might do me good.
So I joined one at a local leisure centre, which used to be council-run, but is now managed by a "community interest company", which is owned by the council, if that makes sense?
I mention this because, maybe with it not being an expensive private gym, there are no intimidating posers or macho competitive weightlifters!
I got a bit of a routine going on machines I felt comfortable with, but was pretty unadventurous.
I observed a particular member of staff who seemed extremely approachable, enthusiastic, chatted freely with customers, and gave guidance if they wanted it.
Then all the gyms had to shut!
I went back when they were allowed to reopen last month.
My membership package includes the devising of a personal programme.
So I asked this guy for help, and told him what areas I wanted to work on. I now have 2 programmes, one for one session, the other for a second session, so ideally I need to go twice a week.
There is a mixture of cardio, weights, resistance, strengthening, etc.
He demonstrated the machines I was unfamiliar with, and watched me to ensure I was doing it right.
I would really recommend asking an instructor, honestly.
Mine has a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, and really knows his stuff.
I was a bit shy of asking for help too.
It's early days, but I wouldn't have had a clue how to use the equipment properly, or why I was using it, without his know-how.
Go for it!!!

Once you get going honestly it'll be fine. I think everyone has felt self conscious.

I suggest you write up 3 different gym routines and have it on your phone. Whilst I do my workout I put an emoji smile next to each exercise I've completed.

I do 10 to 15 min cardio to get heart rate up
Then I do a combo of free weights and machines and own strength.
Also each gym session I do 3 exercises (reps X3) for each body part ie upper body, abs and lower body. So you do 9 exercises.

So for example one of my gym sessions will be: I do around 5kg on arms X12 and 3 reps

Bicep curl
Tricep kicks
Shoulder press

Crunches
Leg raises - your own weight so hard!
Russian twist with a weight/medicine ball

Sumo squats
Leg press
Lunges with weights.

Hope that helps.

Keep it simple and try every 3 weeks to up weights x

What a fantastic post, you've inspired me! Thank you so much. I'm gonna just go for it and stop overthinking it so much! Xxx

Good for you! I've been going a few weeks and feel so much happier about myself.
Definitely generates endorphins

When I went back last summer, I picked a quiet time for the machines. Started at the lightest weight and worked up to a weight that I could do 12 reps, repeated 3 times and felt like I'd had enough by the end of the reps. Then I noted the weight down in my phone.
I probably looked like a bit of a plonker on the first day! But it stopped me faffing when I tried to do a proper routine.

Good luck. I'm back at the gym again after the most recent lockdown and loving it. Have also discovered a love of swimming!