New to Exercising at the Gym

[limabean]

HI there,

I am new to the whole exercise thing. We have a top of the line gym on campus and I want to take advantage of it. What should I start off doing? I have not been in the exerxise mode lately lol. My goal is to lose 50 more lbs by July 29th. Any advice would be great! Our gym opens back up on the 3rd of January.

[2big4mysize]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

many treadmills have a fitness test on them if those in your gym do use oine and see what your fitness level is. if it is poor start with something easy and aerobic and wqork up. If you are good then do both aerobic and resistance. Can you enroll in a class to use the equipment? I know we had weightlifting for girls as a gym class and many signed up to learn how to use the machines.

[limabean]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

Hi, they have a weight/machine class, but it is during my Math Class so that one is a no go lol go figure!

[2big4mysize]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

well then you can either ask somebody who works there to show you how to use the machines or you have to post what all they got so we can point you in the right direction.

[limabean]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

yeah they have people to show me cause they do not want their treadmills to break lol. I would like to do more than a treadmill since it will bore the snot out of me, but one thing at a time I guess.

[Kent]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

You know the embarrassment of asking the first time only lasts a short while. I know I viewed the elliptical trainers with the "will I look like a fool on them" or "they look a lot like a Nordic Track, and I know I look like a fool when I try that" attitude. It came to be I loved the workout on them and the stairmaster more than I did the safe treadmill. What else are you interested in doing?

[Richt]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

LOL Kent, I was exactly the same. I hated the look of those eliptical trainers (we call them cross trainers over here across the pond). I never thought I would be able to get used to the things.

I did eventually, and now I quite enjoy them. I guess its the fear of the unknown.

[is thin possible?]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

Just get started! You'll soon be using all different types of equipment like a pro! I remember the first day in the gym. Very intimidating! Especially since I was so overweight. I wouldn't wear shorts or sweats! Yeah...I looked like a real dork, I worked out in my jeans. Sooo sad. Anyhow, it didn't take much time until I was using all of the machines confidentally(and getting skinny enough to ditch the jeans!) Ha! Ha! You will too. Just keep going and experiment with different things to find out what you like. I have found the elliptical machine to do great wonders for my butt and legs! Just make sure you learn to use it (eventually) without holding on to the railings or leaning on the console. This greatly affects the intensity of your workout.

Well...go get em' ! I will look forward to reading a post from you on how you are doing!

Blessings,

[2big4mysize]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

you are going to be amazed at how fast your fitness level improves and after 2 weeks you should be able to move on to another machine and the weights. Once you know who to use the machine there is a great site called Body For life ( ignore the diet just look at the exercises) they show you different exercises foir different muscle groups using weights. http://www.bodyforlife.com/exercise/weighttraining.asp Many of us do the BFL weight lifting program and there is a challenge starting the first you could jump in when you get to the weight lifting part.

[limabean]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

For my size my fitness level is great. I have been doing water aerobics 3 days a week till the end of the fall semester. I was also a competitive swimmer for 12 years and played softball for 10 lol. Once I lose 25 more lbs I will be in the pool 5 days a week. I will rejoin the masters swimteam as well. I just need to get my rear into gear lol.

[2big4mysize]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

okay if you have a good cardio fitness now see if they have a spinning class (that is biking till your tongue hits the floor and thinking you enjoy it. ) You can join our treadmill trekie challenge and commit your miles or hours for the month, you can join the 6WEC and post daily what you are doing after you make your pledge and promise of X workouts for Y days. Watchout Skkyye publically slugs you if you don't do what you promise
there is also the ADBB PRES CHALLENGE we use the PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE site to log our exercise and earn medals. check out the exercise challenge section of ADBB and read about them all. I'd tell you about the vidiots but you said you were going to the gym.

[artgirl7]

Re: New to Exercising at the Gym

Good luck and congrats on starting your journey.

If you are new to exercising, I recommend you start our slowly on the treadmill, just walking. Biking is also low-impact and great for beginners.

I commend you for heading to the gym! I actually could not go to the gym until I lost weight. It can be very tough, being in a situation, of all great looking people with awesome bodies. But it sure was motivation, I will tell you what! The next thing I knew, folks were asking me what time my "class" started. They thought I was a aerobic instructor! What a hoot!

(I started going to the gym only after I hit my first goal of 150lbs. After that, I started going to Bally's and hit my goal of 130 a month and a half later.)

My hat is off to you!