| Author | Post |
|---|
girl anachronism
Member
|
Posted: 24 June 2008 12:44 am |
|
I am going on vacation in 2 weeks for a week but I plan on joining a gym when I come back (I will have been doing daily cardio for over a month and a half by that time, so I think I will have a baseline level of fitness established). I am a little nervous, as I have not been in a gymnasium since high school, and even then, I never took it seriously, so didn't really learn anything.
What was your first gym visit like? Do they give you a tour? Do you have to sign a contract before you can look at the facilities? Did you feel out of place? Was going alone OK, or did you feel better with a friend with you?
I don't want to use the machines; I want to use free weights. The gym I've got my eye on gives you three free sessions with a personal trainer if you sign up for 6 months at a time. Will the trainer force a routine on me, or can I use that time to have him teach me the free weight exercises I am interested in learning?
These are just a few of the many questions I have.  Please use this thread to share your gym experiences!
|
CouchPotatoe
New Member
| Joined: | 15 April 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 18 |
|
Posted: 24 June 2008 01:19 am |
|
Okay, I'll answer some of your questions, because I remember I had all those when I first started going. My first gym visit was really intimidating, and scary. They didn't give me a tour. I'm not sure you have to sign a contract first, but my sister is the one that got us the contract, so I'm not really sure. I'm sure when you go to the gym to look at the contract they'll let you look at their equipment. I did fell out of place, But the first rule of being super awesome is not caring what other think of you, so if you feel like people are looking at you just ignore them. When I first started going my sister came with me and she still does, but I can go by myself now and be okay with it. It's more fun when you have a friend with you. I don't think a trainer will force a routine on you, but that's the purpose of a trainer to give you a routine, so if you wanna learn how to use the free weights just some of the body builders that go to that gym, some people can be really hopefull and nice. I hope I was of some use, and have fun at the gym, it can be really relaxing working out.
|
Keezee
New Member
|
Posted: 24 June 2008 03:51 pm |
|
A lot of people deal with gymphobia, it's as normal as every other weird thing we humans go through :) Just keep in mind that everyone has the same thing in mind, 'I'm here to work out." Some people walk, some lift an absurd amount just to look cool, but you're all there to use the facilities for some reason. Just go back to the fundamentals, be nice and courteous to others and they will do the same in return. I've not met one mean person at a gym, but I'm not a person who would laugh or stare at someone either.
They usually let you tour the facility before you join, I would hope so at least. I go to Gold's Gym, I love it.
Best of luck!
Last edited on 24 June 2008 03:54 pm by Keezee
|
Tratra
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 24 June 2008 06:07 pm |
|
| Any gym will give you a tour, sometimes you just have to ask. And you can definitely check the place out before signing a contract! I always go to the gym alone, but if a friend helps motivate you, bring one! A trainer will probably find out what areas you want to work on, and develop a routine for you based on that. I'm sure if you had something particular in mind, they'd be happy to work that in for you. Trainers are there to help and make sure you don't hurt yourself, so just ask lots of questions.
|
BEC950
New Member
|
Posted: 24 June 2008 06:18 pm |
|
I am always scared staring in a new gym and the scariest area always seems to be the free weight area.
It seems to me like all the fittest and thinnest people congregate to the free weight area and if you are a little overweight or not sure how to do the exercise correctly then the uneasy feeling you get about going to the gym is even worse.
Working out with a personal trainer for a few weeks will help to build your confidence and from my experience they generally ask you what types of exercises you would like to do before tailoring a program to suit you. After all they want you to like it so you come back and if they force you into a routine you defiantly won’t do that.
|
Imaw89
Senior Member
|
Posted: 28 June 2008 05:22 am |
|
About 95% of the gyms will either give you a free day, or a free week to test out the gym.
My first experience wasn't bad, I was a little nervous because I didn't know much, went for a few weeks and then I stopped because I went with my older brother and he broke his car. - I took weight training in gym, listened to the teacher, learned everything I could, and I got all the basics so I knew in the future I didn't need to ask around.
About 4 months ago I got another gym membership, and I love it. The gym is one of my favorite places to go because everybody who goes their has the same goal; loose weight and get healthier. I talk most of the people who go their, and greet everybody while I come in. (Kind of a small gym but doesn't matter) It's like a home away from home.
A trainer will help you set up a basic routine; he'll take measurements (Of your arms, legs and waist) he'll or she'll show you the right form for the exercises. Don't be shy about any questions either, thats what they do for a living, help you understand the basics of the gym.
P.S. The mirrors might seem odd, but it's their to watch yourself, to make sure your form is correct so you don't injure yourself due to bad posture and etc.
|
jgunn
New Member
|
Posted: 29 June 2008 12:18 am |
|
just a suggestion . if you are gonna do free weights anyways .. why not invest the money you would spend in a gym membership (that you might end up getting turned off of rather quickly for many reasons)
instead into a good set of free weights for your home and a private trainer to show you how to use them properly
you will save yourself alot of gas because the weights are at home and your have the privacy of your home and a personal trainer just working with you
ive spent several hundreds of dollars several times joining gyms only to end up not going as often as i had initially planned and found this solution for me much better
and my personal trainer is a real beast lol
|
Another Day
New Member
|
Posted: 8 July 2008 03:21 pm |
|
The gym I've signed up with is my college's gym, for $10 / semester its a pretty good deal, and its larger than most professional gyms I've been to.
There is nothing intimidating about entering a gym the first time. You just enter and walk around, everyone is doing their own thing, people won't pay that much attention to you, except for the occasional people checking you out. The only thing that makes you stand out in a negative way in a gym is dress code, if you wear clothes that aren't considered gym appropriate.
If the only thing you want from a gym is to use the free weights, its going to be a lot cheaper for you to just buy the free weights. Most women I know never go above 20 lb free weights, and getting 2.5lb / 5lb / 10lb / 15lb / 20lb free weights is pretty doable for $100. I used to use only free weights that I had purchased until the free weights I was using started getting heavier and replacing them every few weeks was expensive. Thats when I joined the school gym.
However, once you do get a gym membership, you'll notice there are a lot of things besides free weights that are helpful in maintaining fitness, from cardio machines, to a swimming pool (assuming your gym has one), to various machines that isolate specific muscle groups. Not to mention access to a personal trainers who, if skilled at their craft, can keep you going and accountable for your choices.
Don't sweat the small stuff like the first day at the gym, any large gym has thousands of people and no one knows anyone, instead, try and figure out what you want to do and what your exercising schedule is going to be.
|
essej88
New Member
| Joined: | 10 July 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 7 |
|
Posted: 10 July 2008 11:28 pm |
|
you will be fine , just hit up the tread mills until you get a feel of your sorroundings , good luck
|
Heavenseventeen
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 14 July 2008 08:58 pm |
|
I was very nervous but what kept me going was the fact that I PAID to be there, just like everyone else, so I had a right to be there. Don't let anyone intimidate you.
|
Hellrazor
New Member
| Joined: | 6 July 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 49 |
|
Posted: 14 July 2008 10:09 pm |
|
Most gyms I would assume give you are tour .See if your gym has a free visit with a trainer and have them set up routine for you. Don't worry there are all shapes and sizes at a gym you got to remember you are there to better yourself so who cares what anyone thinks. Keep on a good schedule of going that way it turns into a habit. Once that happens you won't go with out it. Also invest in some kinda of mp3 player rockin with music helps a lot
|
DaniMae1
Senior Member
|
Posted: 15 July 2008 10:45 am |
|
I highly reccomend staying away from a place that makes you sign a contract. I go to my local YMCA for just that reason. They have everything you need. All of the latest cardio and weight machines, tons of classes, a pool, trainers, etc...Oh and I notice you live in Chesapeake, I live here too in Norfolk! So you have 17 YMCA locations to choose from. Once you sign up you can use all of them.  Last edited on 15 July 2008 10:47 am by DaniMae1
|
Javan
Distinguished Member
|
Posted: 15 July 2008 05:02 pm |
|
 For the YMCA. This is where I practically lived in High Schoo, and on college weekends. No contract, pay by the day or the month. Good equipment and not too crowded.
That being said. I would only go to a gym that offered a pay by day or at least short term memberships. The last gym I went to was in Manitoba, and even up there they offered this service.
Don't be scared since most people at the gym were in your shoes once before as well...
Good Luck!
|
kakki
Senior Member
|
Posted: 20 July 2008 04:04 pm |
|
| Ok since I work in a gym, let me throw my two cents in... You should be comfortable no matter what type of faculity you choose to join. Most places should give you a tour, I always offer a tour when people come in to ask for rates. If they don't offer, ask for one. Ask about a free day or week; as someone else said most places will give you a trial. Most places will also have someone who can train you on how to use the equipment and give you workout; some will be free and some will be fee for service. If it's a fee for service, that trainer will work out a program and work w. you for so many visits. Now at my gym regardless of what membership you get you have to sign a waiver,rules and liability form, but the only legal contract is when you purchase and EFT(taken right out of your checking acct). There is nothing wrong w/ buying a few weeks or 1 months(depending on what they offer) to try it more. That way if you only buy a month and then your not stuck w/ anything.
|
CodeMonkey
Senior Member
|
Posted: 20 July 2008 06:31 pm |
|
I hated my first time in the gym. After my wedding I had gained a little weight so I visited the gym near my house (this was about 15-16 years ago). They pressured me into signing a year contract where they would automatically draft my checking account. Then again, I was pretty naive back then. I believed everything they told me. I made multiple mistakes. First, I bought into their "This offer is for today only!" garbage. It's complete bull; they have the same offer every day. Second, I didn't do any research at all. Absolutely nada. I didn't even visit other gyms to see how they rate compared to them.
I was told they would provide a trainer so I showed up the first day and this 18 year old kid was the trainer. He would tell me what machine to use and how many reps he needed me to do. Then he'd go flirt with the receptionist while I worked out on the machine. When I returned he acted as if I was a pest to him. I did everything he told me to do, even when my body was screaming in pain. The next morning I could barely move at all. I couldn't even raise my arms past my shoulders. Two days after the gym visit I stopped by and talked to the kid about my muscles and he told me to just eat some bananas and the pain would go away. About 2-3 days later my wife went into labor. We had it set up where I would do the actual delivery. I recommend all fathers to try and deliver their child, the bonding was absolutely incredible. Anyway, my muscles were still very sore and a lot of the activity was just unbearable.
Then I did what most members do who join out of impulse (and exactly what the gym wanted me to do). I stopped going. They continued drafting from my checking account for my membership. My wife and I decided to move to another state and I contacted the gym on what I need to do about moving my membership. Moving was a good thing. Because I was moving to a location that they could not cover me with, I was able to get out of that contract (after paying a fee of course).
You're doing a lot more than what I did. At least you are researching it. Penn & Teller has a show on Showtime (I can't mention the name here though, think "Penn & Teller: [bovine excrement]). They have an episode called "Exercise vs. Genetics" and in it they talk about the methods gyms use to maximize profits. A lot of gyms who force contracts do so to earn money from people who stop using their gym. I was able to watch this episode on YouTube since I don't have Showtime.
I have to agree with some replies here. If you're only needing dead weights, go to WalMart. Or check Craig's List and thrift stores. You can get weights pretty cheap compared to the gym.
|
kakki
Senior Member
|
Posted: 21 July 2008 01:21 pm |
|
CodeMonkey, I'm sorry your experience w/ a gym was so bad!!! Not all gyms are like that but the ones that are make it harder for the good places. Gym's are very similar to daycare, its hard to keep staff. Staff is ever revolving issue; as I've learned since I just started doing the scheduling of staff recently. So while I'm not making excuses for the gym or staff, pls don't let that one place ruin "going to a gym" for you. NOT all places are like that and staff. I try not to have the place I work be like that. We are a friendly, everyone knows just about everyone, we're dog friendly, fun place; where my guys spend as much time working out as they do talking.
|
CodeMonkey
Senior Member
|
Posted: 21 July 2008 02:14 pm |
|
Kakki,
I hope my post (or rant) on my first gym experience didn't offend you. I do agree with you, not all gyms are bad. I only brought it up because I wanted to point out that if you sign the dotted line without checking for yourself you'll get burned in the end.
There's a gym a few blocks away from my house that I would LOVE to join because of their hours and location. When I walked in to inquire more information the guy behind the counter was talking to a friend of his and seemed annoyed that I would walk in and interrupt him. His replies to my questions were "yes, no" type replies and at the time they only do contract memberships, so I walked out. I was tempted in calling the manager and inform them of the lack of service they had during my visit.
I've been to a gym that did month-to-month contracts and although the monthly cost was a bit higher it was ideal for me. When I quit going to the gym, I stopped being billed. Unfortunately that particular gym is too far for me.
I think I need to check on the YMCA. I didn't know they did month-to-month. I wish there was a YMCA near my house. I have one less than a half mile from my work though.
|
kakki
Senior Member
|
Posted: 21 July 2008 06:52 pm |
|
| God no!!! It didn't offend or bother me. I've been in that position myself in the past. I just wanted to make sure that one didnt turn you off of all gyms. I would defintely call the boss or go in and ask for him/her. I am no way the manager at my gym; though I do alot of those duties. I appreciate it when my members come out and tell me what a good job so so is doing but I also want them to tell me when someone isn't doing a great job or is being rude, sitting on their buns doing nothing. I nor the owner can be there all the time and our memebers, people just signing up etc... are our feedback on the staff. I love my members at my gym, the regulars are like a big family; we all pick on each other, give feedback, support. Just a thought to throw at you... I'm work for a locally owned, non chain gym and barter my time for a membership for myself,sister and tanning; I only work 3 hours per week for barter. It might be a thought for a locally owned gym to barter your time, that way it's just a few hours a week you work and get a membership w/ no cost to you. And hope I wasn't being to overboard the opposite way. -kakki
|
Current time is 07:42 am | |
|
