So about that place with all the exercising stuff…

[Novaleigh]

Well someone has finally gotten sick of my complaining about how I look and bought me a gym membership. My lovely boyfriend has told me that I am going to go to the gym every day that he goes. Even if he has to throw me over his shoulder and lock me in the trunk to get me there.

Some of you may have read my post about my gym and neighborhood terror but for those who haven’t…Well, I have a true gym anxiety.

But, someone had decided to break me of it and I am quite grateful and a little scared for other reasons. I know hardly anything about gyms.

I am an 18 year old female who is 5’5” and 156 lbs. So I have a bit of fluff and I have gotten rid of some of it. I just want to know like what some of you ladies did at the gym to start out.

I mean, I know what I’m going to do as for cardio. Walking at what some would call speed walking pace at a pretty decent incline on the treadmill an then maybe a power run for a few and then a walk to cool down. I don’t know how this would work but I’d like to know some thoughts.

Stretching before and after of course.

And then there is the toning. This is the part that I have no earthly idea about. What should a girl of my age and stature do? Which combination of equipment/lightweights would tone my whole body?

The first day I’m probably going to just walk around and try things out to see how they work and if I’m comfortable with them. But I’d like to be a little more prepared than that.

I feel like I’ve gone off on a tangent…

 

[maleficent]

Spend some quality time with the stickied threads in this forum - you'll get a good idea of what your weight training workout will be -

as for cardio - do what you are comfortable with... and get an intro session with a trainer to teach you how to do some thing

Oh yeah and whining aside -you should go because you want to go - not because your boyfriend is dragging youthere

 

[austin_88]

Gyms are fun!!!

You've got to love it and get addicted to exercise, then you'll WANT to go!!!

X Trainer's (Ellipticals) are fun!!! They burn way more calories than cycling and walking, even more than running and you can listen to your ipod or read magazines while you do it.

Machines and free weights are a good place to start with resistance training, you could be entitled to a free PT session at your gym, if not ask one of the trainers to show you some stuff???

 

[Novaleigh]

Spend some quality time with the stickied threads in this forum -

I have read all the stickies thank you.

I'm more so wanting to know what other people did when they began working out at the gym. Such as what did you use and how many reps/how long and how the progressed.

Stickies don't have all the answers for people who are new to these things.

 

[maleficent]

How many reps and how long are really dependent on the person - every person starts out at a different point and progresses at a different pace...

I would definitely get a session with a trainer at the gym - it should be part of your intro package (or get your boyfriend to shwo youo some stuff) to get you familiar with what's available

 

[Ankebuzz]

Just go and try a few of the machines at low weights for 3 sets of 10.

See how you feel the next day, this shouldn't be exerting. You can step it up as you see fit after that.

In my opinion, 10 minutes cardio, 20 minutes weight training per day, Mon-Fri is the way to go. And try go for a walk or do something active over the weekend. More than that and I won't be consistent and stick to it!

Oh, I also really love those ellipticL things... One of the first and friendliest machines I tried on my first day at the gym. Other easy ones for your first time are the bicycles and the step machine (easy to figure out... doing it is another story!!!

Also find out if your gyms offers group training of some sort, like aerobics or kickboxing classes. My gym has various aerobics and dancing as well as pilates and yoga. Find out the class times and try structure your sessions around them.

Hope that was helpful! Wow, I think I just motivated myself to go to gym for the first time in weeks, thanks! Oh, have you signed up for the accountabilty challenge? Starts sunday, check out the club challenges forum!!