‘What Now? I’m thinking of joining a gym but what do I do once I’ve actually joined?’
Everyone dreads the first time they enter the gym.
The apprehension of entering a new environment, the uncertainty of what to do once you’ve joined. These are all normal feelings when you are introducing something new into your life. After all, it may have been years since you last worked out, or it may be new to you altogether. Don't worry you’re not alone, everyone was a 'newbie' at one stage and contrary to what you may think everyone is not looking at you, they have training to do!
If you have been thinking of joining a gym then you have probably pictured the above scenario over and over again in your head. Don’t worry it isn't that bad.
'Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained'
The best thing to do is just get up and go to the gym you have been threatening to join. You don’t have
to worry about not knowing how to use the equipment. Gyms have fitness instructors and trainers there to show you how to use the equipment and get started. You just have to ask them about the equipment and they are happy to help. You can search for the gym which suits you through the Gymlockr advanced search.
This brings me to my next point; exercise selection.
It is amazing the amount of people that walk into the gym and just start picking up random weights and copying what other people are doing. That is the worst thing you can do because that person probably copied someone else and like Chinese whispers the technique and possibly the whole exercise has changed just enough to cause an injury!
To be honest, getting a programme may not be the best route to go the second you step inside the doors of the gym. It would be more productive and perhaps a little easier psychologically if you ask an instructor can they show you a range of machines, a few free weight exercises and some stretches. At least then you get a feel for a number of different things, figure out what you like and ultimately don’t feel pressured from day one. You will not stick to a training programme that you completely despise, simple as that. Yes, there may be exercises that you don’t like that you will have to do as a part of the programme as a whole but if you hate the whole thing, chances are you'll quit, I would!
After you have a feel for a few of the exercises make sure and approach the fitness instructor or personal trainer and let them know what you like, what you dislike and your goals and they should be able to tailor make a training programme just for you.
So join the gym that you have been avoiding and approach a fitness instructor once you’ve joined and then a few weeks later of as soon as you have an idea of what you like and more importantly dislike, approach the trainer again and ask for the programme to be made to suit your needs.
Byran Kavanagh BSc, CSCS
Personal Trainer, Dublin, Ireland
