Yeah. If you're going in blind, some training will help you with form and get a general idea of how to use the equipment and some good routines to do. Just make sure you can get out of it without it being a huge hassle.
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I just got my first gym membership, any tips.
- Thread starter TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
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Yeah. If you're going in blind, some training will help you with form and get a general idea of how to use the equipment and some good routines to do. Just make sure you can get out of it without it being a huge hassle.
hydrophilic attack
Member
Not quite true. You can do rack pulls, lunges, Bulgarian split squats, barbell bench press, and barbell shoulder press in the rack.
do you plan on running and lifting on the same day? that's what I usually do
Seriously.
You know how many towels and water bottles the personal trainers at my gym have to clean up? People put them on or near machines and forget them.
Team Jones
Member
Let's keep this simple
Q. Super Self Conscious
A. Most people in the gym are rooting for you, they respect that you're trying to improve.
Q. Exercising clothes ... is that ok?
A. Wear clean clothing and shoes that fits and are functional. If you want to style-it-up, do it.
Q. Best times; Minimum people?
A. Early AM before work.
Q. Good links?
A. Westside for Skinny Bastards III
General Notes:
1. Don't get discouraged, everyone started somewhere.
2. Follow fitness personalities you respect on IG, Facebook, or Twitter. They will motivate you.
Samurai G0SU
Member
hehe.
Randolph Freelander
Member
When you're on the bench for the first time, start with super low weight and get the form correct. Don't lie to yourself, don't look at the dude two benches down doing 365 and think you need to up your game. Heck, just start with the bar. Get the form right and add weight slowly. Nobody is going to look your way and snicker at the low weight. Everyone started at the bottom.
That said, if you ignore the advice and put too much on the bar and get stuck under it, don't panic. Someone will notice and help. "A little help here..." should be all that's necessary. And again, nobody will snicker. Getting stuck isn't an everyday thing, but it happens from time to time. Just put the right amount of weight on the next time around.
Though please use the clips to hold the weight on the bar. Somebody got stuck under the bar just a couple of weeks ago at my gym, didn't use the clips. I rushed over to help, but he tilted the bar down a bit, the weights slid off the side I was approaching from, and then the bar sprang up and almost hit me in the face as the weights on the other side sent that side crashing down to the ground. Don't hit people in the face, use the clips.
That said, if you ignore the advice and put too much on the bar and get stuck under it, don't panic. Someone will notice and help. "A little help here..." should be all that's necessary. And again, nobody will snicker. Getting stuck isn't an everyday thing, but it happens from time to time. Just put the right amount of weight on the next time around.
Though please use the clips to hold the weight on the bar. Somebody got stuck under the bar just a couple of weeks ago at my gym, didn't use the clips. I rushed over to help, but he tilted the bar down a bit, the weights slid off the side I was approaching from, and then the bar sprang up and almost hit me in the face as the weights on the other side sent that side crashing down to the ground. Don't hit people in the face, use the clips.
Darth Pinche
Member
I have self harm scars and so i'd rather not be short sleeved round a bunch of strangersstill not sure what to do about the pool neither.
Ok, I understand that. If you sweat a lot, you may want to get a shirt made form a wicking material, an athletic polyester. It will feel a lot better than clammy cotton.
Edit : plus you should listen to this while you work out. Blood Brothers : First Blood
You're not an endomorph, there is no such thing as an endomorph. If you eat at a caloric surplus, eat enough protien, and have a good strength workout, then you'll gain muscle. It doesn't matter when you eat, there's no difference between eating 3000 calories in one sitting vs eating 3000 calories over 10 meals. You can do as much cardio as you want as long as you eat enough to offset the calories you burn.
VGChampion
Member
I went in, told them I was moving (which I was), and needed to cancel my membership. They did right then and there. No hassle. Didn't even ask me why or anything. This was Planet Fitness.
Samurai G0SU
Member
And flex your free arm that isn't hold the phone. Make sure you also have big headphones on for style.
Imp the Dimp
Member
Haven't somatotypes been debunked over and over again?
TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
Member
Probably not? I was thinking of maybe running to the gym on certain days, but its like, 4 and a half miles there, then 4.5 on the way back so I'd knacker myself.
teruterubozu
Member
Yup, and remember those seven people are the only consistent regulars at the gym. Everyone else quits eventually.
Randolph Freelander
Member
That first workout soreness, though. It's a beautiful thing.
LordOfChaos
Member
Pick things up, put them down, consistently. Don't overthink it. Keep increasing weight, or when you can't, reps.
Randolph Freelander
Member
Particularly the resolutioners. The ratio of people that start in January and quit by March is 1:1.
This.
Unless you want to socialise too, but gyms are not the best place for it.
I only went one time to learn how to use the rowing machine I bought.
Remember: F-R-W
Form, reps, weight. In that order. Try to hit at least 8-12 reps with good form and start low to build those stabilizing muscles.
In terms of self-conciousness: you're overthinking it. Always. People won't pay a mind to you just like you probably won't pay any mind to them. Just do your thing, go in and go out. Everybody had to start from the bottom.
Form, reps, weight. In that order. Try to hit at least 8-12 reps with good form and start low to build those stabilizing muscles.
In terms of self-conciousness: you're overthinking it. Always. People won't pay a mind to you just like you probably won't pay any mind to them. Just do your thing, go in and go out. Everybody had to start from the bottom.
Imp the Dimp
Member
I disagree with this advice. I think gyms have a lot of advantages and irritatingly, your statement makes it seem like fitness equipment is cheap to aquire. It absolutely isn't. The OP would need a rack for squats, a barbell, weights for the barbell and if they desire a bank to bench press and do other exercises although that one is optional since technically all those exercises can be done on the ground too. And it's not clear whether OP has money and space for a rack.
HawksWinStanley
Member
www.bodybuilding.com
It's a one stop site for answers to just about any question you could have. The site isn't just about bodybuilding but fitness in general. Great articles, meal plans, workout/exercise lists, and one of the best fitness forums I've ever used.
If you sign up for the forums though you should, uh, avoid the misc. forum unless you're looking for something much more off color than a site like GAF.
It's a one stop site for answers to just about any question you could have. The site isn't just about bodybuilding but fitness in general. Great articles, meal plans, workout/exercise lists, and one of the best fitness forums I've ever used.
If you sign up for the forums though you should, uh, avoid the misc. forum unless you're looking for something much more off color than a site like GAF.
TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
Member
No I'll go with the gym. Plus pool!
Use this thread as reference for what to do or not do.
backflip10019
Member
Always use proper form.
hahaha, this is great. Never seen it before.
TheOnlyOneHeEverFeared
Member
Way ahead of you.
- Don't worry about it, everyone is there for one purpose, to get in shape
- Shouldn't matter
- As long as its not the lunch hour or right after work gets off 5-7 usually. Either go the afternoon, or late, 8 oclock or after. Morning times usually around 9-10 (of course this may vary gym to gym, but thats how mine usually is)
I signed up for the first time recently as well. I started going w a friend who had a routine for us and I learned to use the different machines so I finally went once alone and felt great about it.
I was worried I'd look dumb or not know how to use the machines. It happens. If you can, go with a friend upfront till up item more comfortable.
Also, start with lighter weights and work on formatiom and repetition before worrying about adding a ton of weight.
I was worried I'd look dumb or not know how to use the machines. It happens. If you can, go with a friend upfront till up item more comfortable.
Also, start with lighter weights and work on formatiom and repetition before worrying about adding a ton of weight.
I see that not curling in the squat rack has been mentioned. The most important work here is done.
It's like looking at the sun. Take a peek, look away. Take a peek, look away.
It's like looking at the sun. Take a peek, look away. Take a peek, look away.
In terms of people caring about what you're doing, the worst you'll probably get is a few people trying to give you advice if you are new (which is mostly just a bit annoying), or people looking to see if you're almost done/can they work inbetween sets.
Otherwise, everyone is doing their own thing and typically aren't interested in also caring about what everyone else is doing. They'll be concentrating on their own exercises.
Biggest thing is to just make yourself go. That's something I'm STILL working on myself. I had to drop down the weight quite a bit after going so intermittently (especially over my time off at Christmas. I didn't do much at all. Goddamn Christmas!). It's so easy to just come up with excuses to not go. Too tired, it'll be too busy at this time, I need to go to bed early, still too sore from last time, etc etc etc. The fact that you are paying for it probably won't be enough motivation on it's own, trust me you'll come up with the best excuses for yourself not to go. Just gotta keep at it.
Otherwise, everyone is doing their own thing and typically aren't interested in also caring about what everyone else is doing. They'll be concentrating on their own exercises.
Biggest thing is to just make yourself go. That's something I'm STILL working on myself. I had to drop down the weight quite a bit after going so intermittently (especially over my time off at Christmas. I didn't do much at all. Goddamn Christmas!). It's so easy to just come up with excuses to not go. Too tired, it'll be too busy at this time, I need to go to bed early, still too sore from last time, etc etc etc. The fact that you are paying for it probably won't be enough motivation on it's own, trust me you'll come up with the best excuses for yourself not to go. Just gotta keep at it.
If you google your gym - say easy gym Dublin (just an example) - there should be a graph which shows the busy times during the day. It's fairly accurate for my gym.
I'm self conscious as well but tbh hardly anyone pays attention while you're working out since they're all focusing on their own workout. Take a sweat towel with you, don't be afraid to ask for proper guidance on the right form if you're lifting, it's better to deal with that slight embarrassment than injure yourself by doing it wrong. Starting Strength is a good place to start.
Darth Pinche
Member
Music is super important to me during a workout. I usually hate what they play at my gym so I always use my phone and some sound isolating ear buds. My latest paid cost only about $15 at Amazon and sound great. Good music helps me keep up a good pace or finish my reps.
By free weights I mean dumbbells. OP wants to lose weight and build muscle at the same time. That can be achieved with a set of dumbbells. Amazon has great deals on dumbbell sets that are not that expensive compared to memberships. If he/she wanted to build into a brick house that would be different.
parrotbeak
Member
Take selfies while you're standing at the front door. Make sure you get the right angle to show maximum commitment. Don't worry about blocking the entrance, cuz that just allows the people behind you more time to take additional selfies in the parking lot.
Astral Dog
Member
please, just dont. stop. going. to the gym!!!
And mornings would be the least visited hours.
And mornings would be the least visited hours.
supernormal
Member
This. Even though recently I actually do get a few people coming up to me and congratulate/ask me about my weight loss.
OP, I follow Kinobody
https://www.youtube.com/user/gog9/videos
The guy seems like a total douche, and he gets a lot of haters, but following his guide lines I've been able to lose 80lbs in 7 months. I went from size 40 to a 34(and now those are loose), 43% body fat to probably under 25% now (last time I checked I was 28% but I was also 30 pounds heavier than right now). The best thing about it all is that I've become so strong with proper weight training and I haven't had to waste my time on cardio.
When I started at 295 I had trouble lifting 60lbs for incline bench press. Now at 215 I lift 200lbs for 6 reps, 185x8 and 170x10. My original plan was to lose 100 pounds in a year, but I'll most likely get there in 9 months*.
It's been the easiest "hard" thing I've ever done.
TestMonkey
Member
Go to the gym. This may sound like stupid advice but it is essential. Especially after the first workout soreness you will feel like you need to rest. Screw that noise. Go to the gym and do something. Even 20 minutes of low impact cardio. Build up the routine.
Start light. It is better to start with weight that you find too easy and then build up than too much weight and possibly hurt yourself. Consider the low weight as form practice.
Do not compare yourself to others. Start off at your own pace.
Start light. It is better to start with weight that you find too easy and then build up than too much weight and possibly hurt yourself. Consider the low weight as form practice.
Do not compare yourself to others. Start off at your own pace.
SmackDaddy
Member
If you are confused, ask for help about form.
But first watch videos on correct form.
Really,if you don't have good form you are putting your joints and muscles at risk and you're partially wasting time.
GL and hf!
But first watch videos on correct form.
Really,if you don't have good form you are putting your joints and muscles at risk and you're partially wasting time.
GL and hf!
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