Joined a gym

A question about : Joined a gym

I've signed up for an opening offer at a new gym locally that opens tomorrow. Went to look round whilst it was a bit of a building site - looks really good. It was a Ј9.99 a month offer and you stay paying that on a rolling monthly payment - no contract can cancel at anytime.

Want to lose some weight and get healthier.

Its a few miles from home and I don't drive but its on my route between home and work so covered on train pass I buy for work so no extra costs to get there.

Wondering should I just go in and use the machines (used a gym before so know the basics) or would I be better asking for a plan? I've heard there are fitness apps - could anyone recommend one?

Any tips for someone who's not been to the gym in rather a long time appreciated! Thanks.

Best answers:

• My new gym won't let you loose until they show you how to use the machines and they give you a plan I thought that was pretty standard to cover them in case you do yourself a mischief by using it wrong, have they not mentioned this?
• so what gym is it for Ј 9.99 no contract etc?
• They should give you a basic induction and programme but in my experience the programme's are almost useless, never had one yet that incorporates free weights and lifting is really good for many reasons and even more so for women than men (assuming female)
  I also say have a session or two with a PT, mine is excellent and more than worth what I pay him, every session is different so no chance of getting bored or my body getting used to it and while extremely hard work each session is enjoyable also.
  Good luck and enjoy it!
• When I first started at the gym I used the New Rules of Lifting for Women book https://www.thenewrulesoflifting.com/nrol-for-women. I liked that it challenged me to do different things all the time. And it was very easy to look at the exercises on youtube to get a good idea of what to do. I would also suggest focusing more on resistance than on cardio, or getting a mix of the two. I find resistance training (also known as strength training) a lot more interesting and it gives good results.
• Some years ago I wanted to get fitter and was advised by a friend to take it steady and build it up slowly and this is good advice. You want this to be a long term change to your lifestyle.
  Mix up what you do so you don't get bored - this also reduces the chance of injury.
  If something really hurts then stop, learn to listen to your body. In my book the old no pain no gain stuff is nonsense.
  Something with weights is great for general strength and conditioning. I used to have back problems with cycling and this has gone since I started doing kettlebells.
  Dont ever compare yourself with others. Its easy to look around the gym and feel a bit inadequate. You are doing this for you at your pace and all exercise is good, even if you are doing it slowly to begin with!
  The gym should give you a bit of advice to start you off but I hope you enjoy it. The more exercise you do the easier it is and the more you want to do. Getting started and finding a routine that works for you is the hard bit.
• Consistency is so important when exercising.
  Also you diet is equally if not more important, you cannot out gym a bad diet!
  Balance both during your lifestyle change! Good luck!
• Don't drink energy drinks when exercising as they are full of sugar but don't forget drinking lots of water as they will fasten fat burning.
  Give your body a rest - meaning don't try to go everyday.
  Download an app like Runkeeper to input your exercise.
  Try couple of different things and find what you like - I found that I like classes myself more than doing stuff around gym floor.
  Try to rotate different workouts. Don't do the same workout for months and months !