Never been to a GYM before. Nevous. What should I expect?

So I need to do this but Im very nervous.  I have never used a gym.  Will someone there show me how to use the equipment?

Will I need a trainer?

Im very embarrassed about my body.. YOU KNOW what I mean.

Any advice suggestions to help me with this fear I have about going to the Gym.

Take Care,

Heather

Congratulations on taking this big step! Have you officially joined a gym yet ? If not, I would call the gym, and tell them you are possibly interested in becoming a member. They should invite you to come for a tour. Then, the front desk person will walk you around the facilities, so you can be introduced to your new surroundings. As far as personal trainers go, many gyms offer a free first workout with a trainer, who can show you how to use the machines. Often, they will offer a "jump start" style package, which is just a few sessions so you can try it out. I personally prefer to work with a trainer, but that's because I get bored easily, but they can be kind of expensive. You're going to be fine! Hope this helps!

You don't necessarily need a trainer... Maybe start by going and using something like a treadmill to get comfortable and when you are on i****ch other people.. See what and how they use the equipment.  

You can google free weight exercises, I use skinnymom.com (you don't have to be a mom, hehe).  Those are very helpful.  

If you need help on a piece of equipment, ask someone, they will just show you I'm sure.  

You are at the gym, it doesn't matter what you look like... They see you as someone doing something good for yourself... :) at least you are there!

And you could always take a friend too! 

Hi -

I too was very nervous about the gym.  I actually did a little research prior to joining a gym.  I went on Yelp and looked at the reviews for the gyms closest to my home.  I wasn't looking for fancy - just clean and functional.  Though I belong to 24 Hour Fitness, I wanted to start at a location where I would "fit in".

So, there is a location close to my house that is small, clean and suited the purpose.  Since it is small, everyone is generally friendly.  The staff gets to know you and it makes things a lot easier.  Even if you can't afford a trainer, knowing the staff makes it easier to just ask basic questions, especially if you don't know how to use something.

It has been a couple of years, and I still love my small gym. I finally bought a pass that allows me to go to more of the 24 hour locations.  I realized later that if I hadn't chosen the place where I would fit in, I may not have been as successful with the exercise.

So, find a place where you think you will be comfortable.  Ask for a free trial pass before you pay for a membership.  

As for a trainer, I wish I could afford one.  I did get a couple of free training sessions.  I sucked as much knowledge out of those hours as I could!

Best of luck to you!!!

Yay you!  I haven't been to my work's gym in ages, but when I did go, I asked for help in planning a workout. One of the young ladies there asked me what my goals were and what areas I wanted to work on, so make sure you have some firm ideas before you go. Things you can target:  cardio health, core strength, arm toning, leg toning. Make sure that you understand how to use the machines and free weights properly as improper use can lead to injury and then you'll stop going to the gym. Don't be afraid to ask questions. 

If you don't feel reasonably comfy with the facility and staff, get outta there and try another place. You want to be in a place that you will want to go to or there's no point. 

Good luck!

Jen

Yay for starting this!

you might want to start with some easy to. Operate walking on the treadmill ... And scope the place out.

If you joined a gym, you may get a free session with a trainer, in my experience that is not much more than a sales pitch.

I started with 20 minutes of walking at 3.0 and then increased 3 minutes or 1 song on my iPod each time I went.

Before long, I was up to 60 minutes and started to increase my speed .....

I am sure you can get lots of help and advice once you get started.

Good luck!!!

My experience is the best when I sign up for a specific class and have to be there certain days and times.  Just going when I feel like it ends up being that I always feel like doing something else.  My gym has a pool and I go to water aerobics.  That is something that I love to do. 

Make the gym a fun place that you look forward to by finding what you love to do there.

The most important thing to remember is that everyone else at the gym is embarrassed about their body too. Everyone is there because they're trying to change/improve something.  Everyone at the gym is so wrapped up in their own stuff that they won't even give you a second look.  I know it's hard to believe this, but I promise that it's true!  

I think it's really important to figure out what you enjoy.  Normally someone will show you equipment.  Normally gyms come with a free training session.  If yours doesn't, you might find that it's something you want to pay for a few times.  (Longer if you decide you enjoy it!)  With anything at the gym, I think it's important to give it 4-6 tries to see if you do enjoy it.  It's easy to want to quit after the first try, but you really need to give something a few chances before giving up on it.  

I started with just walking on the treadmill at my gym.  Then I started adding in fitness classes at a different gym (the one at my local community college) and I tried out yoga, pilates, and tai chi.  Then I started adding run segments to my walks on the treadmill.  Then I signed up for my first 5k!  (Running that in October, omg.)  In September I'll be adding in a zumba class and a bhangra dance fitness class.  

As you can see, classes and running/walking are the things I've found that I enjoy.  I'm not a fan of lifting weights - I hope that will change one day once my body fat is lower and then I'll hire a personal trainer, but until then, I'm really happy (and successful!) with the classes, the running/walking, and yoga at home with an iPad app on days I don't have classes.  

So that's my advice :)  Figure out what you'll enjoy and then do that.  And don't fret about people judging you at the gym.  They're worried about the same thing :D  

Good for you, Heather, it'll be great to start exercising more and working out at a gym. I agree you should check out a few gyms and get a free orientation to the equipment -- yes, you need orientation even the treadmill if you've never used one. Any good gym should offer one free orientation session where you learn how to use the machines and plan your own workout routine with the settings that are right for you.

But have you also started a walking routine? If not, I would strongly recommend that you think about walking outside while the weather is still good!! You can easily do that without paying for a gym and you can do it by yourself or with a walking buddy! I walk alone with my iPhone music every morning for 60-75 minutes and much prefer it to the gym! I'll go the gym when it rains (or when it gets cold) and when I want to work on the weight machines (maybe 2 times a week). But walking is almost every day for me and I love it. 😍

There are probably some nice walking places near your home -- tracks at local schools and colleges, playing fields, nature trails, even sidewalks or less busy roadways -- all offer you space to keep up a nice walking routine. And it's easy to avoid being seen by others, if that makes you uncomfortable -- try to go super early in the day or in the evening, or to less travelled areas (with a buddy if possible).  Of course the gym gives you options you can't get from walking outside -- protection from bad weather, weight machines as well as free weights, elliptical trainers, stationery bikes, rowers, classes, and more! But don't underestimate or overlook the benefits of walking alone or with a friend. If you haven't done much walking, start slow for short distances and soon you'll be able to increase speed, distance, and time every week. Good luck! 

I so agree with Mindy. Gyms are great, they will help you but a good pair of walking shoes goes a long ways. No one will care about your weight at a gym. Good luck with your journey