Mates gym tomorrow - Need some tips.

Gamer_T

Gamer_T

Gamer_T

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Hi guys,

My mate has invited me to his gym tomorrow and I've never really done this sort of thing before so I'm after a few tips please.

First of all I'm quite unfit and don't do anywhere near as much exercise as I should, so now I want to get back in shape and get my fitness on a better level.

I don't know what we'll be doing tomorrow, but we'll only be doing 30 mins of work seeing as it's my first time and we'll only be doing light stuff.

What should I eat before this sessions? I usually have a problem with hunger, and I get hungry quite fast, sometimes demonstrating low blood sugar symptoms but I've tested for hypoglycemia before and seen my doctor but he said I was fine.

My diet is a cause I think, I eat too much sugary junk food! But now I'm going to try my best to eliminate it.

So, what should I eat before a gym session? Something simple and easy would be fantastic, and something that'd keep me feeling full for a few hours.

Cheers!
 
Don't over do it in an attempt to keep up with your mate. Let him do his thing and you do things at your own weight. Don't feel bad doing significantly less than him.

Also, expect to ache ;)
 
Thanks for the replys guys! And yeah I'm expecting to ache like a mofo. The hardest thing for me really is going to be my diet... For example when I feel hungry, I want bother to have a balanced snack, I just tend to grab something fast and easy which is usually junk food!

Porridge sounds brilliant, I'll give that a go tomorrow!

Any more tips would be appreciated! And is it normal to get a bit light headed after doing a workout when you're not used to it at all? Is there a certain way to breath?
 
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I've heard skipping ropes can be good for cardio. Would it be a good idea if I started out with one right away?
 
Eggs, oats, something like that for breakfast.

Skipping ropes are great, so is going for a run, or swimming. That's your choice, personally i'd rather go for a run or skip over swim, skipping ropes are good for balance and timing as well as a good cardio work-out, which is why lots of boxers go for cardio using a rope, invest in 1, they're only like £7 for 1 from Argos.

If you're doing weights try not to swing them about, if you need to drop them a little to get your form right then do so, no shame in lifting lighter, it's for your own benefit in the end.
 
Take a look at rxex.net for small animated gifs of exercise form.

Try not to swing the weights, it should be smooth controlled up and down movements.

Any sharp pain and back off and stop to assess what may be going on. A aching is usually a build up of lactic acid and is fine if a bit uncomfortable. A sharp pain can indicate you have damaged something.

Ignore everyone else, work for yourself. I started out bench pressing an empty bar for a few weeks but it soon builds up and was pressing heavier than most in the gym (my old gym) after 6 months or so.

Do a bit of cardio (cross trainer / running machine, exercise bike etc) to warm up especially if you are not used to exercising.

Trying to compete with friends or for the ladies will just end up with you getting injured if you are unlucky and then how will you look :).

Hopefully it is not just a one off trial and with a good diet, a bit of time and a lot of effort, you will have built a solid base and have no need to compete with anyone.

Good luck
RB
 
Thanks for all the replys guys. First session in a few hours, I don't know why but I feel slightly nervous haha.

I'll be sure to eat some porridge an hour before and I'll take some Lucozade/Fruit with me if I start to feel hungry at all!

Cheers
 
Gamer_T said:
Thanks for all the replys guys. First session in a few hours, I don't know why but I feel slightly nervous haha.

I'll be sure to eat some porridge an hour before and I'll take some Lucozade/Fruit with me if I start to feel hungry at all!

Cheers
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Well if it's in the afternoon make sure you eat some protein before you go as well as carbs, a good chicken breast and some brown rice would suffice, I only suggested porridge because I thought you were going in the morning.
 
Aedus said:
Well if it's in the afternoon make sure you eat some protein before you go as well as carbs, a good chicken breast and some brown rice would suffice, I only suggested porridge because I thought you were going in the morning.
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So I should stay away from porridge then? I don't really have much else to hand at the moment!

Would it still be OK to eat it before a session though?

I just read cheese is a good source of protein, but contains fat. Still, maybe it'd be an idea to eat some of this before I start? Sorry if I seem so dumb by it!
 
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Gamer_T said:
So I should stay away from porridge then? I don't really have much else to hand at the moment!

Would it still be OK to eat it before a session though?
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Porridge is a great thing for breakfast, but you need protein as well in your other meals, it's just a decent morning meal.

And yeah, eat it before you go, make sure you have SOME protein though, eggs, tuna, anything just something you have around, there must be something you can have.
 
Come on guys, some of you are over thinking this.

First session, light, 30 mins.
At most a few weetebix and a banana is all that is needed if that.
 
Thanks for all the replys guys. We ended up doing about an hours work, starting off with simple work first and then getting on to weights to get a feel of things.

I drank a bit of Lucozade in between things, kept my self really hydrated with water.

I think I'm gonna ache tomorrow, I also have a headache after that though! I think I need to get my breathing right.
 
No mention of whether you enjoyed it or not and if you are planning on keeping it up?

Breathing should be fairly simple, breathe out on the positive part of the rep (the part where your muscle is contracting) and breathe in on the negative part (releasing the muscle).
 
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