First time at the gym tomorrow & I'm terrified

[Sprogonthetyne]

I have a membership at the local leisure center and go swimming there, but have never ventured upstairs to the gym. I've been putting off starting but I don't always have time for a swim, so end up doing nothing when I could have fitted in 30 minutes or so of land based exercise. I went to book an induction, thinking it would be next week or longer, and I could procrastinate some more, and it tomorrow!

What's likely to happen?
What do I wear/take?
Do I change there or go in exercise stuff?

Well done for joining!!!

Most of this is preference.

What's likely to happen?
They will give you a quick walk around and maybe discuss your goals/experience so you can check what machines will be best for you. Ask them about their PT offerings and classes. Also ask what machines will be best for your goals. They will do these all the time and think nothing of it so really don't worry. Just have a mental list of the above. Mostly, it's to make sure you have a reasonable understanding of what's safe and appropriate and what isn't.

What do I wear/take?
Headphones and water bottle if you're going to get straight into a session thereafter. I just wear black Tesco joggers and a black T-shirt/v-neck top with trainers. It's not a fashion show for me. I go really early and you can probably tell I just woke up.

Do I change there or go in exercise stuff?
I'd just go in it as it will be so much more convenient but then when not working I like in my joggers.

Congratulations!

Have a great time, and ask lots of questions. Ask them about a basic routine that you could do in 30 minutes

g. 5 minute warm up cycling gently on a cycle, then maybe work through the body - using the machines - shoulders, arms, legs,

Thank you both for your replies. I definitely think I need to ask them to give me a set routine that I can just do without thinking, preferably based around do it for x minutes, not distance, or number of times. I broke my ankle about 6 months ago, so treadmill or anything high impact is out, but my physio said cycle machine would help with range of movement, so a far amount of that, then maybe something more armzy/strength based?

Is that enough of a brief for them to work with?

Yeah 100% that's enough. They'll dig it out if you if they can. Also tell them you need all the advice! I always say "talk to me like I know nothing" or like I just arrived on the planet.

Did you have it already?

I've been in!

Turns out that was only stage one though. They showed me all the cardio stuff today, then I've got another appointment on Thursday for all the strength based equipment and a final appointment next Friday for body analysis, before they'll give me a program to follow. Seems overly complicated but I can just turn up and use the stuff I have been shown before then.

I really did not like the cycle machine as much as a though I would but did quite enjoy the rowing machine, which was a surprise. I felt like I was about to fall off the cross fit the whole time, but that probably improves as I get use to it.

Well done for going!!! They really are dragging that out! Not necessarily a bad thing, I suppose.

I can't get on with the bikes. I'm simply the wrong length/proportions for them I think. Cross trainers are great, especially if you have to be cautious with your ankle but some of them are fully elliptical and others seem to move back and forth only so may be a little awkward.

Now to keep at it 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Well done for taking the first step! Gyms can be intimidating at first. Mine now feels like a second home and I know a lot of people there (been going for 2 yrs) but first time was scary! Keep at it and find what you enjoy. The rowing machine is a great all-round workout.

Congratulations! Sounds like a very thorough & responsible gym.

I'm exactly the opposite re cycling and rowing. I was doing a Hyrox simulation (with cycling 2000m instead of running 1000m) and the 2 worst stations were the 1000m row and the final 75 wall balls. In the rowing machine I just feel trapped & I can't do what's needed to go faster.

So it's great to hear that someone actually enjoys the rowing machine! Kudos to you!

Also, so you feel more at home & get to know people, think about doing some classes. It's a brilliant way to meet fellow gym members - bonding through suffering 🤣

Went for the second part of the induction today. The strength machines are actually easier then the cardio ones, wasn't expecting that. Though I do have an autistic 5yo who often needs carrying or holding during meltdowns, so maybe I'm deceptively strong 💪

Well done! I really like doing weights and as I don't feel like I will die after and it's feels amazing to know you're a mean machine BUT I make myself do a fair amount of cardio as I hate it so much it inspires me to eat less so I do less. In theory anyway.

I brilliantly managed to lock my padlock keys in my locker this morning along with all my stuff, leading to a staff member breaking the padlock for me with a spectacular pair of clippers - so my current gym tip is to get a combo padlock rather than a key one.

Good on you, it sounds like you’ve made a great start.