Thinking of joining a gym and need help!

[purple_magada]

Quick background: I get one hour for lunch and I currently walk for 45 minutes and then have 15 minutes to eat my lunch. It is starting to get way too cold to walk and the thought of having to sit at my desk for my lunch hour is disturbing. So I'm thinking of joining a gym which is about a one minute drive from my office. To be honest with you, the thought of joining a gym is intimidating. The only times that I've ever been to a gym is for aerobic classes.

I don't know the first thing about any of the machines. Can someone please direct me in the right direction? I'll be going Mon thru Fri and I"ll have about 45 min to workout (I'll need time to change and shower). So what do you suggest? I would really like to focus on my lower body b/c that definately needs a makeover. I still plan on doing Cathe in the evenings and on weekends.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shelbygirl]

Many gyms offer a free session with a personal trainor when you join. You might want to take advantage of that (assuming your gym does it) and have the trainor show you all the machines. If you are going to go every day, you'll need to focus on more than lower body, I think, so as not to work the same muscles two days in a row. I also go to the gym at lunch, but I focus more on upper body, using dumbbells (I prefer to work lower body at home for some reason). With only 45 minutes I usually do two to three upper body parts one day and the remaining ones on a different day.

Shelbygirl

 

[Maximus]

Definitely take advantage of the personal training session. Explain to her/him your time limitations. I would think she/he would put you on some kind of circuit routine where you hit each body part at least once a week.

DO NOT be intimidated. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions. DO NOT feel embarassed if you don't know how to use something. I've been training at a gym for 15+ years & every so often I still run across something I'm unfamiliar with. Also you have to remember that people really aren't paying attention to you. Most people at gyms are focussing on their own workout & really don't notice what other members are doing (they might notice other members' bodies, but I promise you the vast majority of us have no idea what the person next to us is doing).

Gyms can be really fun, motivating places and yes, they are also social outlets where you can meet new people. I say go for it & enjoy the new experience.

 

[cjbate]

Agree wholeheartedly with the above posters....ditto what they said. In addition...

Be bold. You have a right to be there. You probably know more than most of the folks in there. Don't be afraid to venture into the free weights section if you want even though it will probably be stuffed with meat heads. I repeat. You belong there just as much as anyone else.

I know you know that...just giving you some mental fodder for when you start going....

HTH
Jen

 

[trevor]

Don't be intimidated. Like others have said, you'll probably have a few free sessions with a trainer or lifestyle consultant. They'll show you all of the equipment.
And the free weight section gets a bad rap. Make it a point to get the lowdown on that section of the club. I am one of the "meatheads", as Jen puts it, who frequents that part of the club and I have never seen a lady, or guy for that matter, who did not get help from someone when they needed it. And alot of women use the free weight sections at the club I attend.
Just go for it!
T.

 

[smurfette]

I LOVE MY GYM!!!!
I love having all the equipment ready for me and i don't have to store it in my house. I take my ipod with me and rock out while I workout.
I've started to re-discover AC/DC and Metallica. They are great for doing my lifting.

I was scared about going to a gym. My only experience was in college and I hated it.

You can also just do a trial membership. Do it for a week or two and see if it is a good fit.

Good luck!!

Danna

 

[trevor]

Allright!! AC/DC!!! AWESOME band Danna. Great lifting music too, alng with Aerosmith.
T.