I want to join a gym

[Seriously79]

As the tile says, I'd love to join the gym, but I'm really worried.

I'm 45, peri and have diabetes knocking at the door. Really overweight constantly knackered and achy.

It's going to be expensive, and I don't know if I can commit, or even physically do it, haven't exercised since school.

Hit me with your words of support please.

If you're worried then I would really recommend paying for some personal training sessions at the gym you want to join. It's a great way to start exercising as they'll be able to show you what exercises to do for your own goals, how to use the equipment and it will ultimately help you feel comfortable in the gym initially so you can then progress to do it alone. I know it will be even more expense on top of gym membership but I at the end of the day you're investing in your health. It also helps you commit to going too if you arrange your sessions in advance!

If you really can't afford it then make sure you get an induction when you join the gym :)

It doesn't have to be hugely expensive. Have a look at places like The Gym, JD or Pure Gyms. They won't have fancy spas or swimming pools but they do have plenty of equipment.
I am a member at The Gym and you can have one free session a month with a PT as part of the basic £21 a month package. You will get an induction when you join and you can ask for them to give you a suitable programme.

Everybody starts somewhere, and there are people of all shapes, sizes, ages and levels of fitness at my gym. It won't be like school PE!

80% of how fat or thin you are comes from the food you eat, not exercise.

I would address that and see how you go.

I wouldn’t start with the gym TBH. My personal fitness journey (3kids, 30 hours/week job) started with trying to get 5,000 steps in a day. Then 10,000. Then a walk in the morning for 30 minutes after school drop off. Then couch to 5k. Then as PP suggests work with a PT once every other week. It’s taken me 10 years but I have gone from full couch potato to fittest in my life (excluding when I was competing at uni). A gym membership would have been too much of a commitment in terms of time and money and I would have sabotaged myself. Is there any movement you used to like or don’t mind doing? Start there and start small. It’s doing it over the long term that makes a difference so start with something you can maintain. Good luck x

I joined the local council gym last year. 22st ad 43 years old. Was terrified, but love it now. There are all age ranges and shapes there. Not one person will bat an eyelid at you.
Get a programme at your induction and go for it you will love it

To improve your health diet plays a much bigger factor - you cannot outrun a bad diet. But great you want to go to the gym - what you could do first is start walking daily and even get some lightweight dumbbells. Also see Joe Wicks 15 min beginner videos for workouts - they are good for starting out on a fitness journey as well.

I agree with those who says to start walking and watch your diet

If you're struggling with getting started and committing then I'd suggest getting a PT to help you. And unless you simply don't have the money, invest in it. Getting older with poor health is expensive too. We often spend money on so much crap yet don't invest in our health and well being. I pay £££ on my gym and coach cos I love it and it enriches every area of my life enormously. I'd cut back everywhere else before I would on that.

And I went from doing nothing to adoring strength training in my 40s. I'm not some lifelong exercise/gym fan

Join a PureGym - they are everywhere and only £20~ a month, no lock in and always doing offers on their low joining fees (often free). 24hrs so you aren’t restricted by schedule.

Have an induction and a free or one session with a PT to get a realistic and safe workout plan set up.

Yes, definitely personal trainer. They will keep you on track and motivated & you'd be surprised how much you can learn from a good PT. I now lift unfeasibly heavy weights & at 65 learnt how to climb a rope properly! It's also a lot of fun!

You can get really excellent PTs at pretty cheap gyms - I found my lovely lovely PT at a commercial chain gym that costs under £35 per month.

You need to commit and be consistent. Take it really slowly, and start with small sustainable changes.

Losing weight is mostly diet, so find a PT who can advise about that: mine took me through the science of the 16: 8 fasting pattern, although I find keeping to 1500 calories a day, and hitting around 130 grammes of protein (good for me & very satiating) is the most effective way of keeping my weight where it needs to be.

Do you have a local authority gym / sports centre near you? They tend to have glasses, gym and a pool.
My gym has 'easy circuit' classes for total beginners, post injury and older people. You could look for something like that to give you confidence with the equipment.

Losing weight is partly diet but we all need muscle, cardio and flexibility as we get older to reduce the risk of injuries and live a good old age. Walking also good as it has the benefit of vitamin d. You can walk parkrun too.

*classes, not glasses 🙄.
How I long for the return to Blackberrys with a proper keyboard....

I joined a gym in January, 3st overweight, unfit, age 53, on HRT, joints aching.

I went for a private gym that has max 8 in a class, £17.50 a week. I decided not to join a JD type gym as it was too easy to be ok with wasting the £20 per month if I didn't go.

I figured if the £17.50 made me go it was worth it.

Anyway, I have lost the 3st, still going to the gym x 2 a week and also running and walking more.

I feel so much better in myself.

You won't regret starting.

I'm inclined to agree with the PP who said don't start with the gym, particularly if you aren't sure you can commit to going. Make smaller changes that don't cost much money first and see if you stick to those. e.g. if you can walk 10,000 steps a day and maybe go swimming once a week. I think the cheap brands of gym can be good if you're not going to use them a lot BUT IME they can be very busy, the ones round here are very much dominated by folk in their late teens / early 20's sort of age group, and they offer very little in the way of induction unless you pay for personal training, so if you don't know what you're doing they aren't as cheap as they appear.

Is the not knowing if you’ll be able to commit a time thing, or are you like me and will use literally any excuse to flake out and not go? If the latter, try and find somewhere that does small friendly classes (they tend to be the non commercial fitness studios, boxing gyms, independent type places). People are really friendly and will take you under their wing! Also, women only gyms might be a good thing to look for. And take a friend with you so you can’t back out at the last minute!

If there is any way you can afford a PT, please please give it a go. It makes a huge difference when you’ve got someone to hold you accountable, and who’ll show you how strong you’re capable of being. Find one who’ll help with nutrition planning if you can.

Good luck! 💪💪💪

I again echo everyone's comments about not joining a gym.

I started C25K 3 years ago. I was obese and it was bloody hard work!! But it was a gentle introduction to exercise. From there l started swimming on the days l didn't run.

Then a year ago the gym did an offer which made it cheaper to take out a membership at £20/mth then pay each time for swimming

I now do gym work as well.

But...

I gradually built up to it starting with stuff that was free because l know l (usually) never stick to exercise.

Also you need to think when are you going to go? Will it be open when you want to attend?

I am nearly 50 and started exercising a few months ago. I started with a PT. It was/is but it meant that I learned what I could acheive. I then introduced walking, and improved my diet based on PT advice. I have now joined a gym and am doing a range of classes - I would not have survived all the classes without the PT sessions first!

I agree with the PP - just start! It doesnt matter where, just make a start and best of luck!

I wouldn't start with the gym.

Start by walking, seriously walking, including stairs. And fix your diet - healthy Mediterranean food, vegetables and protein, no sugar or UPF or booze.

As far as exercise is concerned, start off with Lucy Wyndham Read on YouTube. She has a huge back catalogue of short workouts that are perfect for beginners and the unfit. Excellent indoor walking programmers as well.

Get some 3-5 kg dumbbells and look at other online trainers such as Rebecca Louise, Growingannanas, Heather Robertson. Weight/resistance based training is soooo important, especially as we get older.

Good for you! Get stuck in, dont worry about everyone else, most people have no clue what they are doing anyway!

A few PT sessions can certainly help you with a plan but if that is looking too expensive, the gym staff are there to help and advise.

Get lean in the kitchen
Get strong/fit in the gym

Try class pass to go to different fitness classes? I can send you a referral code for free two weeks if you dm me xx

Just to say I am in a similar position. Recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was the push I needed to focus on my health. Joined a gym and going a few times a week and also working on my diet. The gym can be a bit intimidating but just focus on what you need to do. I am also thinking of a personal trainer to build gym confidence and get more advice on what exercises to do.

I know a lady in her 70s who's ditched her walking stick since joining the gym, partly that she's visibly lost some weight, but mainly that her strength has significantly increased so it's just easier to move her body functionally. She looks younger now than she did when I first met her 15 years ago!

Movement is so important to us, and 40s is an important time to improve and maintain muscle mass against the natural processes of aging.

Gyms are much more inclusive, functional places than they were in the past. Go and get an induction and get a PT to create a plan. They'll be used to setting newbies up with appropriate plans and technique for general health benefits.