to not know how to use the gym?

[crispmidnightpeace]

My husband has got me a gym session for while I wait just half an hour for our daughter to do a class there. It's his gym, so he knows people there. I have not been inside a gym in almost 25 years.

The only area of my body I am not happy with is my bum.

Can I just work my bum the whole time? What machine should I head to? I envisage myself going on a machine, being trapped in it or something, and having someone my husband knows have to rescue me and him becoming a laughing stock.

An idea of what to do so I don't look like what I am (a 40 year old divvy who has no idea how to use a gym) or ideally some type of blow by blow of how to behave and what machine to go on, would really help me, thanks.

Could you ask your DH or an instructor at the gym for some pointers.

You don't have to us a machine. Especially if you are working your bum.
Google exercises like squats and do them on one of the mats (usually by the mirrors.

I have had PT sessions which help me know what to do. But would start with a warm up (I usually walk on a treadmill). I use different equipment but an instructor can make sure you use the right form as a small tweak can make a massive difference.

Perhaps getting one personal trainer session in the gym would be helpful. My gym (back in the day) included one for free to help you learn what to do.

I’d jump on the cross trainer for 20 mins on a low setting.
Have a google what it looks like.
It’s fairly easy and you can go at a slow pace if you need to.
Then watch other people or look on Instagram for easy exercise moves

Don’t just work on your bum. You won’t be able to move the next day.

Do you mean he's got you a one-off session, or a membership? When you join a gym, you usually get an induction with an instructor and they ask what sort of things you want to do, and show you how to use the equipment. Don't know if they do that for one-offs though.

Just put your headphones on, listen to some favourite music and cycle for half an hour. It's great for your cardio health, great for your endorphins, will work your butt and great for mentally decompressing.

After a few weeks you might feel more confident and could try other stuff, don't rush it through. See it as half an hour of "luxury me time".

Go to reception. Say its your first time and ask if there is someone available to show you around, how to use the machines etc. Most gyms would do this kind of induction as a default for new members anyway but perhaps your DH waved away the offer or they didn't think to offer given he is an established member

You will be able to ask during the induction about the areas you hope to work on and what machines or exercises would be good for that

You probably want to do the adductor machine for one and lean forward whilst using it to work the buttocks

Apologies that should read abductor machine not adductor. Got them confused

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I agree with having an induction, that's standard. I have a cross trainer at home. I got it to lose weight, but the first thing that I noticed was my bum was lifted, my legs started to look really good, before I'd lost much weight. I'd have a PT and use their weights as well for squats.

Most machines have little diagrams on them highlighting the muscle group used

Every gym should give you an induction where they talk you through the equipment and find out what sort of workout you want/need. Don't stress this, just ask when you go in.

The first time you go you will go to reception and give your name or show your card and and a staff member will show you around.
You will not just walk in and be able to use the equipment. A good gym wouldn't allow it for health and safety reasons. You must be shown before you're let loose.
When you speak to the staff about what body part you're interested on working on they will point you in the right direction and show you the best equipment they have available.
For a short half hour session I'd probably head for the treadmill and start off with a brisk walk

Your DH runs the gym? Can't he show you some exercises?

@doadeer

Your DH runs the gym? Can't he show you some exercises?

I think 'It's his gym' means it's the one he goes to.

You can absolutely just focus on your bum while in the gym and you don’t even need to go on a machine if you don’t want to. Google the different kind of squats you can do while using the free weights (goblet squats, sumo squats etc) start light and then increase your weight as the week’s progress. Hip thrusts and glute bridges is another excellent one and you can incorporate holding weights on the very tops of your thighs once you get the form right. I am sure if you asked a trainer they would be happy to help set you up on anything you wanted to try.

@ihatethecold

I’d jump on the cross trainer for 20 mins on a low setting. Have a google what it looks like. It’s fairly easy and you can go at a slow pace if you need to. Then watch other people or look on Instagram for easy exercise moves

Don’t just work on your bum. You won’t be able to move the next day.

Thank you, I will follow this advice. I'm in a bit of a panic if I'm honest, can't think straight, and working right up until we leave from 6am. He values his time there and doesn't want me to embarrass him. I am quite embarrassing with little social etiquette. I just want to go in, do my thing, and leave. We will be doing a half hour walk there so that will be my warm up.

Ohhh i totally misread that! Thought you meant he owned the gym!!

I would just go and do some cycling or rowing, they have these step up machines where you can increase the resistance - good for your bum it measures how many flights of stairs you walk up.

I wouldn't do weight squats if you haven't been shown this but you can do the weight machine where you lay on back and push it away.

@MrsWednesdayteatime

Just put your headphones on, listen to some favourite music and cycle for half an hour. It's great for your cardio health, great for your endorphins, will work your butt and great for mentally decompressing.

After a few weeks you might feel more confident and could try other stuff, don't rush it through. See it as half an hour of "luxury me time".

Thank you. I have done spinning before and did find this really helped. When I drop her off to other classes and have to wait I go to the pub and have a glass of wine, so this me time is much better lol

@doadeer

Your DH runs the gym? Can't he show you some exercises?

No sorry, it's the gym he spends five days a week in and considers them his second family. He wants to be an MMA fighter.

Ignore the machines. Using single areas in isolation risks injury more than using your whole body for balance and stability.

Book a session with one of the trainers who can show you the ropes. No one's looking and no one's laughing.

Gaining strength is life changing. Everything feels light and easy. You feel wonderful when you're strong. I train with a coach now and compete, so I'm pretty in love with it, but it really does absolute wonders for your health, being strong.

But see a trainer. You can't just sit in some machine and wave a limb around a bit and hope for results.

Honestly, OP, I wouldn't follow any advice on here about using a particular bit of equipment. You need an induction for health and safety.

Also, this stopped me in my tracks:
He values his time there and doesn't want me to embarrass him. I am quite embarrassing with little social etiquette.
He's told you, has he, that he doesn't want you to embarrass him? Has he told you that before? You seem to think you're embarrassing; where does that idea come from?

What about a class? Legs Bums and Tim would be an idea as it focuses on the areas you want to work on.

Tim? Tums