Joining a gym...

agnes

agnes

agnes

Soldato
Joined
1 Dec 2006
Posts
16,901
Location
Amsterdam, NL
Hi guys,

I was never much of a fitness freak, always been a bit lanky and skinny, however. As of late, I have started to acquire a very small bit of blob known as a beer belly!

Last night my mate came round to watch a few films and we went through a fair few different ales together (do love my ales, <3 Ginger Beard).

Anyway, as usual, this morning's first smoke gave me that all too familiar heart burn feel.

I think it's time, at the ripe age of 23 to start taking care of what has kept me alive so far!

Now, what is the usual routine for new comers to gym's? I would have the foggiest idea how to use the kit their and absolutely no idea where to start! Do I just rock up and sit on a cycling machine for 3 hours? As I can do this with my push bike and get some fresh air at the same time! lol.

I think what I am asking, is what can I say/do to get started? Will I look like a muppet going along to a gym full of beef cakes? Do gym's do sort of 'starter' packs? lol.

What kind of gear will I need? I got cycling shorts and some grubby tshirts I don't mind sweating in.

Will probably go along to one tomorrow, as I had planned to go out for drinks with mates, but I have drunk every day since Thursday last week and it's started to dawn on me that doing this every month is not going to be good. Regardless of how little I drink each night.

Also, what seems to be the average price for a monthly sub and how many times a week does the average joe go?

This is a get healthy quest, not bulk up to look like Freefaller as that would take years! :P

ags
 
You don't need a gym to get healthy. You've even mentioned your bike.

Cut the booze and the fags and try some exercise.
 
platypus said:
You don't need a gym to get healthy.

Cut the booze and the fags and try some exercise.
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Thank you for the overly helpful post... But I already tried this, failed miserably.

I think if I went to a gym, being as tight as I am, if I pay for something, I won't want to waste my money.

ags
 
any half decent gym will give you an induction, tell you whats what etc.

tbh gyms are a lot of money and unless your gonna go at least 3 times a week its not worth the hassle.

i just used to wear tracky bottoms and a t-shirt doesnt really matter.

i think about £50 a month is average, local ones may be cheaper but have less kit.

if your drinking most nights then thats the big cause for concern as its not healthy at all...a gym wont solve that unless you stop drinking/smoking for a while. <--- DETOX.
 
agnes said:
Thank you for the overly helpful post... But I already tried this, failed miserably.

I think if I went to a gym, being as tight as I am, if I pay for something, I won't want to waste my money.

ags
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Are you sure? The amount of people I know who sign up to a gym and then don't bother going, or the amount of people that sign up after Christmas as a new years resolution and don't have the will to keep it up?

Paying for a gym won't give you the will to exercise, only you can do that, and you don't need an expensive subscription to a gym for that. And it certainly won't help you cut drinking and cigarettes or change your diet, again, only you can do that..but if you want the placebo of a monthly direct debit it's your choice. I still think its a waste of money.

Do I just rock up and sit on a cycling machine for 3 hours? As I can do this with my push bike and get some fresh air at the same time! lol.
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You've even alluded to the fact that you'd enjoy it more..

But.. to answer your question. No you don't just rock up and sit on a machine for 3 hours. If you do sign up to a gym, either find a routine from the plethora of sites around, or use the gyms instructors who will be able to suggest something.
 
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platypus said:
Are you sure? The amount of people I know who sign up to a gym and then don't bother going, or the amount of people that sign up after Christmas as a new years resolution and don't have the will to keep it up?

Paying for a gym won't give you the will to exercise, only you can do that, and you don't need an expensive subscription to a gym for that. And it certainly won't help you cut drinking and cigarettes or change your diet, again, only you can do that..but if you want the placebo of a monthly direct debit it's your choice. I still think its a waste of money.

You've even alluded to the fact that you'd enjoy it more..

But.. to answer your question. No you don't just rock up and sit on a machine for 3 hours. If you do sign up to a gym, either find a routine from the plethora of sites around, or use the gyms instructors who will be able to suggest something.
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I know mate, my will power is dreadful when it comes to things like this. Sorry for my sarcastic reply earlier, as much as I do agree with you as I just feel as though I need to at least give it a shot, and it would be nice having a 'thing' to do during the week. I also do want to get a few defined muscles.

ags
 
If you really are as clueless as you say you are most gyms will do an induction and can offer a training program for you.

It also depends what you're after too, if it's general fitness you may not even need the gym, if you want to improve your body composition, then a mixture of CV (cardio vascular, i.e. fitness work) and some weights can help. :)

Variation and intensity are the key to kick starting and continuing a decent healthy regime. So doing 3hrs on the cycling machine day in day out won't be as good as, doing a variation of routines at varying intensity levels.

Of course, the main thing to help lose that beer belly and improve fitness comes down to diet (boring I know). Beer/ale is calorific, and fairly useless calories at that (i.e. they don't really provide much in terms of nutrition) - I'm not one to tell people what not to eat/drink - and whilst you can still have fun with drinks, you have to compensate for it with diet and exercise. The reason you're getting a beer belly is because the calories aren't being used and your body just turns them into fat as that's all it knows what to do with them.
 
Freefaller said:
If you really are as clueless as you say you are most gyms will do an induction and can offer a training program for you.

It also depends what you're after too, if it's general fitness you may not even need the gym, if you want to improve your body composition, then a mixture of CV (cardio vascular, i.e. fitness work) and some weights can help. :)

Variation and intensity are the key to kick starting and continuing a decent healthy regime. So doing 3hrs on the cycling machine day in day out won't be as good as, doing a variation of routines at varying intensity levels.

Of course, the main thing to help lose that beer belly and improve fitness comes down to diet (boring I know). Beer/ale is calorific, and fairly useless calories at that (i.e. they don't really provide much in terms of nutrition) - I'm not one to tell people what not to eat/drink - and whilst you can still have fun with drinks, you have to compensate for it with diet and exercise. The reason you're getting a beer belly is because the calories aren't being used and your body just turns them into fat as that's all it knows what to do with them.
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Cheers for the input mate, ultimately I would like to have a bit more to me and definition, so that next time we go for a swim in the sea I don't mind taking my tshirt off!

I just spoke to a gym and they offer a free induction course thing, with a hour or so walkthrough of what to do and when sort of thing. I am going in tomorrow after work with my sis (she does pole dancing so visits the gym regularly). And once a month they do sort of a progression track thing on my goal that I set with them.

I am treating this as a new hobby, not a chore.

ags
 
agnes said:
I know mate, my will power is dreadful when it comes to things like this. Sorry for my sarcastic reply earlier, as much as I do agree with you as I just feel as though I need to at least give it a shot, and it would be nice having a 'thing' to do during the week. I also do want to get a few defined muscles.

ags
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No worries my reply could have been a little kindlier. I'm not trying to put you off, I love the gym and abuse the hell out of my membership most of the time going 5/6 times a week.

It's a good first step to post asking for advice - but you have to really want to change. Good on you for getting an induction. If you do start going, try something simple like a 5x5 because its easy to follow and you see gains regularly which motivate you, or look at Gordy's sticky for a simple weight lifting routine.
 
platypus said:
No worries my reply could have been a little kindlier. I'm not trying to put you off, I love the gym and abuse the hell out of my membership most of the time going 5/6 times a week.

It's a good first step to post asking for advice - but you have to really want to change. Good on you for getting an induction. If you do start going, try something simple like a 5x5 because its easy to follow and you see gains regularly which motivate you, or look at Gordy's sticky for a simple weight lifting routine.
Click to expand...

Yea, I asked a very vague question with little backing as to why really so should have expected a little slating :)

Thanks for the link and advice mate. I do want to change, can't be bothered with smoke anymore...

Drinks on the other hand, a cut back, but not a total cut out!

ags
 
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