Hooray, I've joined a gym! Now what?
October 5, 2011 1:21 PM Subscribe
Hooray, I've joined a gym! Now what?
I just joined a gym. It's a small gym (the only one in a small town), and there's not always a person there to help. It is a 24-hour card-swipe gym, and I plan on going early in the mornings when there wouldn't be a staffer around. They do not have fitness classes.
Today I went in for my "orientation" (here's the machines, here's how they work, here's what they do). After demonstrating each machine, the staff member got off and let me try it to make sure I understood how they worked, and made sure that my form was correct.
Great!...now what?
I have the weight and reps that I recorded today. Do I...do the same tomorrow and add more reps? Or do I add weight instead? Or both? Do I wait a day between workouts? How do I know what my pace should be? I don't want to get lazy and move too slowly, and I certainly don't want to hurt myself by moving too quickly.
Uh, to get to the point: I know that you are not my trainers, so what I'm asking here is: How do I progress my training without having a trainer around? I know that this is super-basic, but I'm a total gym n00b. Any books, websites, podcasts, resources etc. would be great.
If it matters, I'm a 33-year-old woman who is borderline obese on the BMI scale. My goals are to become stronger (I have wimpy little Tyrannosaurus Rex arms), more flexible (haven't touched my toes in decades), and have more stamina (I'd love to cross-country ski this winter). In addition to going to the gym, I get plenty of walks in each day due to having an excitable German Shepherd mix; and I also do a fair amount of hiking.
I just joined a gym. It's a small gym (the only one in a small town), and there's not always a person there to help. It is a 24-hour card-swipe gym, and I plan on going early in the mornings when there wouldn't be a staffer around. They do not have fitness classes.
Today I went in for my "orientation" (here's the machines, here's how they work, here's what they do). After demonstrating each machine, the staff member got off and let me try it to make sure I understood how they worked, and made sure that my form was correct.
Great!...now what?
I have the weight and reps that I recorded today. Do I...do the same tomorrow and add more reps? Or do I add weight instead? Or both? Do I wait a day between workouts? How do I know what my pace should be? I don't want to get lazy and move too slowly, and I certainly don't want to hurt myself by moving too quickly.
Uh, to get to the point: I know that you are not my trainers, so what I'm asking here is: How do I progress my training without having a trainer around? I know that this is super-basic, but I'm a total gym n00b. Any books, websites, podcasts, resources etc. would be great.
If it matters, I'm a 33-year-old woman who is borderline obese on the BMI scale. My goals are to become stronger (I have wimpy little Tyrannosaurus Rex arms), more flexible (haven't touched my toes in decades), and have more stamina (I'd love to cross-country ski this winter). In addition to going to the gym, I get plenty of walks in each day due to having an excitable German Shepherd mix; and I also do a fair amount of hiking.
With such a general question, I really think you'd be better off getting a few books rather that depending on some brief answers here. Go to the library, browse through the fitness section, and ask the librarian. Ideally, you will spend hundreds of hours exercising over the next 50 years or so; a few hours of reading will pay huge dividends and will answer many questions that you would never have thought to ask.
And yes, once you've gotten started for a few weeks, a few "check-up" sessions with a trainer might be worthwhile. (A decent book will have a section on how to pick a trainer.)
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:36 PM on October 5, 2011
And yes, once you've gotten started for a few weeks, a few "check-up" sessions with a trainer might be worthwhile. (A decent book will have a section on how to pick a trainer.)
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:36 PM on October 5, 2011
Response by poster: Sararah - thanks! I'll see if the library has a copy. It sounds like the sort of thing that I'm looking for.
Mr. Know it all - I'm here looking for book/website/podcast/etc recommendations, not for someone to come up with a plan for me. I work in a library so I've got the resources all here in front of me...but I'd rather get a recommendation than just picking one and hoping for the best.
I will stop threadsitting now. :)
posted by Elly Vortex at 1:42 PM on October 5, 2011
Mr. Know it all - I'm here looking for book/website/podcast/etc recommendations, not for someone to come up with a plan for me. I work in a library so I've got the resources all here in front of me...but I'd rather get a recommendation than just picking one and hoping for the best.
I will stop threadsitting now. :)
posted by Elly Vortex at 1:42 PM on October 5, 2011
Get a work out partner. Short of hiring a trainer, I've found that to be one of the best ways to stay motivated and disciplined about going. If you are at the gym at the same time, you might find someone that way. I actually think it's better if it's not a friend. You'll feel more of a sense of duty to show up.
Ideally, that person should be similar to you in goals and fitness level, but I think the former is more important that the latter--switching weights around is easy, right? Ideally, you will push each other harder than if you just are working out on your own.
If you do any work with a trainer to get started, they are sometime able to help you find someone. Additionally, some freelance trainers will train in groups and may charge a little less.
Importantly, you should feel comfortable with them. It really makes working out more enjoyable, IMHO.
posted by robabroad at 2:12 PM on October 5, 2011
Ideally, that person should be similar to you in goals and fitness level, but I think the former is more important that the latter--switching weights around is easy, right? Ideally, you will push each other harder than if you just are working out on your own.
If you do any work with a trainer to get started, they are sometime able to help you find someone. Additionally, some freelance trainers will train in groups and may charge a little less.
Importantly, you should feel comfortable with them. It really makes working out more enjoyable, IMHO.
posted by robabroad at 2:12 PM on October 5, 2011
Reddit.com/r/fitness has some pretty good experts. They'll recommend Starting Strength which is a great program based around simple, primary movements. The program is set up so that you progress a little on each lift every workout (3x week). They will also recommend you follow their dietary advice, some of which is a little out there, and some of which is pretty useful.
My own advice would be to progress slower than you think you should at first, especially on the weightlifting and crosscountry skiing. Nothing is worse than losing all of your initial momentum by having to recover from an overtraining injury.
posted by beepbeepboopboop at 2:13 PM on October 5, 2011
My own advice would be to progress slower than you think you should at first, especially on the weightlifting and crosscountry skiing. Nothing is worse than losing all of your initial momentum by having to recover from an overtraining injury.
posted by beepbeepboopboop at 2:13 PM on October 5, 2011
Try some classes. I like yoga and pilates
Second getting a book. I like Body for Life.
Stick with it. Most of the friends I have that are in poor shape have memberships and just don't go. It keeps my fees lower, I suppose. Whenever you contemplate skipping a scheduled session at the gym, make yourself go for at least ten minutes. Chances are you'll stick around longer.
posted by backwards guitar at 5:47 PM on October 5, 2011
Second getting a book. I like Body for Life.
Stick with it. Most of the friends I have that are in poor shape have memberships and just don't go. It keeps my fees lower, I suppose. Whenever you contemplate skipping a scheduled session at the gym, make yourself go for at least ten minutes. Chances are you'll stick around longer.
posted by backwards guitar at 5:47 PM on October 5, 2011
Piles of information at stumptuous.com, but you can start here.
posted by bunderful at 6:42 PM on October 5, 2011
posted by bunderful at 6:42 PM on October 5, 2011
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That being said, it wouldn't hurt to do a session or two with a trainer, especially to make sure you have good form when lifting. My 24-hour no-frills gym has a references for a few "freelance" trainers that will work with clients at the gym.
posted by sararah at 1:27 PM on October 5, 2011 [2 favorites]