WOW! A real gym is HARD! >_<''

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I went today for the FIRST time to a real gym.
It took a lot of guts, seeing as how a few months ago I never would've thought about it.

All those machines...so..confusing....I had no idea wtf to do. :p
I spent around roaming the place trying to figure it all out.

Also, I hate the fact that I can bench 125lbs. on my home machine, but barely 75lbs on free weights, and then I can't even balance it. :rolleyes:

Well, it was interesting. I am going to go there more often. Every day in fact. It will be hard, but I'm gonna try my best! :)
 
You already took the hardest step, the one into the gym, from here it only gets better.

Don't worry about how much you are doing, as long as you are pushing yourself and seeing gains. And as for all the "confusing" equipment, most of it is for show, find your base exercises and stick to them, you don't need any fancy machines.

As for balancing the bar that will come as your stabalizing muscles adapt. Keep it within reason until you have the control and form. You will be amazed at how fast your body will adapt and grow.

My hat goes off to you for making the leap.
 
I'm in the same situation as you are stepping into the gym for the first time. It does get easier the more you go I have noticed. I have to say this however you once said that I was bigger than you but weak and wtf is up with that, my bench press is always done with free weights- it does get easier to balance and it is a great feeling when you can get your groove and start upping the weight, so stick with it. Free weights rock.
 
yeah, I was also in the same position last year...I had to take it in school for like 2 months...and my bench went up like ten pounds... And the last few months I had it again, but I put 25 pounds more on my bench...Its all in the mind...I just think about not looking like a pussy, and trying to impress myself...
 
jenn said:
I have to say this however you once said that I was bigger than you but weak and wtf is up with that,
Click to expand...

You are bigger than me Jenn. Your bicep is like twice the size of mine. :p

Thanks everyone. I'm going back tomorrow, I hope I can accomplish everything...

It sure is hard though. Like a teeny weeny dumbell is like my max. :rolleyes: :eek:
 
Need practice with balancing while weight training??? Do dumbell presses using one of those exercise balls as the bench...barbell presses will be a breeze after that.
 
Yes, I agree, the gains will be quicker. For the same time spent exercising you'd be recruiting more muscles with free weights.
 
The gym should have a trainer on the floor that can show you around and how to use the machines properly. Hopefully at least one "orientation" session was included with your membership. If you are just doing 'drop ins' it would be wise to invest in at least one personal training session to ensure that you are doing things properly and do not hurt yourself. Also, depending on the machines they have, there may be instructions written right on the equipment or near it - these usually show a picture and tell you where your seat settings should be and your positioning also what muscles you are working.

Don't stress about the amount you are lifting. You say 'on my home machine' vs free weights. If you are using a machine at home and free weights in the gym, you are not comapring apples to apples -- you should NOT be able to use the same weight on a machine as with free weights!

I agree about the stability ball for balance - it is an AWESOME tool. However, to start, you will probably want to go with much lighter weights than you are used to - until you feel comfortable on the ball.

Good luck to you. I love the gym, and find I actually work harder there than I do at home.
 
Just an update.

I woke up this morning, and EVERYTHING hurts. :( I don't get it. I didn't even really work out that much, I just tried some machines out.

I'm still contemplating wether or not to go today. =P
 
just dont work the same muscle twice in a row. what is your goals?
some of the exersices are probobly new to you, and when you do a new exersice u usually get very sore as your body is not used to it.
 
Your muscles need to adapt to the change, and they will. It is like if you play a sport for the first time in a season, or for the first time period. No matter how "in shape" you are, you will always find muscles that you were not using before.

Just remember to keep it safe and controlled for the start, the results will come quickly once you break through the adaption phase and learn the proper techniques on your exercises you choose.
 
Remember to ease yourself into it at the start, don't push too hard or your body will push back. Start light and as you feel more comfortable increase your weights/set/reps or whatever you need to meet your goals.
 
Don't worry about not lifting that much weight, whether for yourself or because you dont want the other gymers to laugh. Everyone had to start somewhere.

A good way to work on stabilizers is to put a little more weight one side of the bar, and do a set or two like that.
 
Yah, don't let yourself be demoralized by other people doing more weight than you.

I know when I was in middle school and highschool, I wouldn't go to the weight room a lot of the time because of that. And then when I would go, I would concentrate on lifts where I was already strong in. Worthless crap like leg press and arm curls instead of benching and squating.

It won't take long to get stronger, and remember you're there for yourself, not to impress other people.
 
yeah, i go to a gym, i dont lift alot either, and even less when i first started. but i dont look at the other people and atleast at my gym, the people there knows that everyone has to start somewhere, and nomatter how little you lift they are very nice and such.
 
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