Gym rats? Any tips?

You'll definitely want to bring a towel every time you go. Even if you don't sweat (and hopefully you will - at least a little bit), you may want it to wipe off equipment before you use it. Take a bottle of water with you and an IPod or MP3 player, if you like to listen to music. I didn't know much when I first started going to the gym either and was too embarassed to ask questions, so I just watched and learned. The easiest way to do this without seeming obvious is to find either a treadmill, bike, or elliptical and just use that while you're observing others on the weight machines. It doesn't take long to figure out what they're doing. You might also find that there are people who look friendly enough to approach and you can ask them to show you how to use some of the equipment. As for clothing - a pair of shorts and a t-shirt is all you need. The most important thing is that you're comfortable in it. Not too tight, not too heavy, etc.

The gym is a blast once you get into a routine! :o)

If you can affored it; hire a trainer (just once) to have them walk you through proper technique.

Cathy's idea of observing is good, but the only problem I have with this is you'd be surprised at how many people use the machines WRONG! And the last thing you want to do is hurt yourself or get bad results.

Do 30minutes of cardio then 15 - 30minutes of weight training (switch off each day between upper body, legs, arms). Once you get your heart going and a feel for the machines try out new things.

If there are dumbells there, take advantage! You can get just as good of a workout with free weights as you can with machines (since you don't plan on being a body builder, haha)

Also, pick up a copy of SHAPE magazine. It explains cool techniques and how to use a lot of the machines & workouts properly.

BEST OF LUCK!

Pomeranian <3

Cathy's idea of observing is good, but the only problem I have with this is you'd be surprised at how many people use the machines WRONG! And the last thing you want to do is hurt yourself or get bad results.

Pom makes a very good point. I see people doing one particular exercise on the Universal exactly as they say you should NOT do it. I had a subscription to Shape magazine for a few years and got some great tips from it. I also checked out a book from the library about body building for women and it showed almost every machine there is and how to use it. You can probably find a lot of that info on the web now too.  Like Pom, I do 30 min's of cardio and then it takes me about 20 min's to do my strength training.  Since I don't do use super heavy weights, I don't rest long between sets.

Go to another gym in your area (chain or whatnot).  Most provide free week/month trial periods with a personal trainer.  Go to one of those, absorb all of the information you can and then apply it to the gym in your building for free!  That way you get all of the benefits of a personal trainer, but in the end don't have to pay for one.

When I used the school gym I did not bring towels b/c they were provided.  However if yours are not provided I would bring one and still wipe down the equipment.  We were expected to spray off the equipment and towel it down after you used it.  They also provided spray bottles with some kind of disinfectant in it.  For clothes, I wear a sports bra and thin, loose t-shirt and on the bottom I wear cotton shorts or cotton capris.  At the gym we were required to wear close toed athletic shoes.  At home I use an elliptical so I wear Crocs.  I always bring an mp3 player and listen to music so I forget about all the mirrors, glass, and other people.  All of our weight equipment had little diagrams on it on how to use it.  If I wasn't sure I would use something else and then watch someone out of the corner of my eye.  Just remember to put the pin in all the way. 

If you can affored it; hire a trainer (just once) to have them walk you through proper technique.

ditto. even if you have to save up  to hire one for a few sessions, it will be worth it in the long run.  

Just wanted to throw this Body for Life page in here. It has exercise animations and it really helped me. I love the idea of bicycling while you watch other people on the machines! And if you browse My Home Personal Trainer, you will learn a lot!

Thanks so much, guys! I shared this thread with the BF and we will probably go in this weekend.   Now if only I could sneak Rascal in and onto the treadmill...

Those are great sites! I bookmarked them for future reference.

I've known a few people who did the "Body for Life" program and went from being overweight and out of shape to slimmed down and looking great in a relatively short amount of time.

Hey - check this out. I logged on that personal trainer website and entered my weight (120) and said I wanted to weigh 115 (I don't really care to lose, but I had to enter something). This is part of the analysis I got:

 With a current weight of 120, you should be able to reach 115 and begin losing weight at 1.94 pound(s) per week and reach your goal by 3/31/2008 if you follow a consistent diet of 901 daily calories and exercise an average of 4 hours and 0 minutes a week.

Doesn't 901 calories seem ridiculously low? I've never really done a true diet, so maybe I'm wrong, but that just doesn't seem right.

I have been on a consistent schedule at the gym for about a month.  I use the machines a couple times a week.  I don't bring a towel, but the gym provides paper towels and spray bottle with cleaner to wipe down the machines. 

It was hard to get started.  I was able to join some classes that at least got me in the door.  Then, I would use the treadmill and now I am branching out to other machines.  My current favorite is the elliptical.  LOVE IT!!  It is true what they say about exercise releasing endorphins.  I feel great while I am exercising and for days afterwards.  It will be hard to "just do it", but you will thank yourself afterwards.  And if you keep at it, you will see a change in your endurance. 

Sue

 Good for you, Cita! I joined a gym about 5 months ago. My joining fee included 6 sessions with a personal trainer, which I've only used 2 of. It was really good for learning the right way to use the machines and just getting a routine. The Swiss Ball is excellent and I'm getting one as soon as I have room for one.

My favourite is free weights with the barbel. I do a class with the barbel once a week, usually, and it's done wonders for my strength and endurance. It's hard, but only as hard as you want it to be and it never feels as hard as the cardio, but I still work up a sweat and I'm usually sore for at least 2 days afterwards. You notice the difference in your body really quickly with the weights. I'd like to get some of those to do at home as well, but I don't think I'll have room.

My gym has a no towel no workout policy, so everyone always has one. That and a bottle of water and an mp3 player. It's true, you feel great when you work out, and it gives you a lot of confidence. After just a few weeks of 3 workouts a week, I was happily doing 3 times the work out in the field whereas before I was struggling to keep up when I was doing all the easy bits. 

cakana

Doesn't 901 calories seem ridiculously low?