I joined the gym around 8 months ago now and i'd say i'm in a pretty good place in my 'gym journey', but it is safe to say, when I started out, I definitely had no idea what I was doing, or what I needed to take with me and I found being in a gym a bit intimidating. So I thought that I would put together 10 gym tips for anyone that is just starting out at the gym or anyone who finds being in a gym uncomfortable, because I know I would have loved to have read something to boost my confidence and prepare me a bit better.
Please bare in mind, I am in no way a fitness guru or anything of the sort, these are all just things that have worked for me and that I find effective. You do not have to take my advice, I just thought i would share my opinions with you, so take it as you will.
1. Personal Trainer
When I first joined my gym, I was offered one free PT session, which I took and found super helpful. I had no idea what exercises I should be doing or what machines I should be using to achieve the results I was after, and knew if I had turned up to the gym without doing the PT session, I would be absolutely clueless, and would have probably spent a lot of time standing around or doing exercises completely wrong.
My PT asked me what results I was after and then showed me a number of exercises that would be best for gaining those results. He also showed me how to use all the machines and what exercises you could do on each machine. I found this whole experience really helpful and it really boosted my confidence, as when I went to the gym by myself, I knew what I wanted to do and how to do it.
I would definitely recommend finding out weather your gym offers something similar or if you have the money, then just get yourself a PT, even if you only use them for you first couple of gym sessions, it can be super helpful.
2. Classes
This kind of links back to my first point, but classes are again super helpful when it comes to learning different exercises and knowing how to do them correctly and most importantly safely!! Classes are also really great if you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to going to the gym. Most of them last for no longer than an hour, and something like a HIIT class normally only lasts for 30 minutes, so you still get a really good intense work out, and can then get on with the rest of your day. Most gym memberships include classes in your monthly price, so they are definitely worth taking advantage of!
3. Fitness bloggers/youtubers/instagramers
When I joined the gym I got a little obsessed with fitness bloggers, youtubers and instagramers, I just found it really helpful to look at what they were doing in the gym, because lets face it, most of us girls are aiming for the same thing in the gym, loosing weight and/or getting toned and generally boosting our fitness levels (oh, and growing the booty!), so it really helps to get a little bit of inspiration from someone that we can relate to. I have learnt so many new exercises by watching peoples work out routines, so it can be really helpful.
4. Change it up
Going to the gym and doing the same thing every time can get very boring and can really demotivate you in the long run, so I really recommend changing things up every time you go to the gym. What I like to do is to dedicate different days to different areas of my body, for example on a Tuesday I do a HIIT class and a Core class, so that day is cardio and core, on the Wednesday I will normally focus on legs and glutes and then on Thursday I will work on my upper body. That way things don't get too repetitive and by splitting things up, I give each area of my body a few days rest before working on it again.
5. Water, Water, Water!
You are probably more than aware of the importance of taking a bottle of water to the gym, but you'd be surprised how many people I see working out without it! A lot of gym will usually have a water fountain, or sell bottles of water, so check for those when you join, so if you do forget your own bottle of water, at least you always have a plan B!
Water is so important when working out not only because you'd get really dehydrated which can cause a number of issues, but lack of water can often cause muscle cramp, decreased strength and lack of endurance, so it really does have a huge impact and can really affect the quality of your work out.
6. Buy a padlock
Padlocks were the last thing I thought of when I was buying things for the gym and when I turned up, put my stuff in the locker and realised that I have absolutely no way of locking it, I was stressed to say the least. Luckily though my gym sells padlocks so I overcame that obstacle pretty swiftly, but I definitely recommend getting yourself one in advance.
7. Headphones
Most gyms will having music playing, however we don't all want to listen to club hits whilst we work out, so I would always recommend bringing your headphones along so that you can listen to whatever you want. Another reason I like to bring head phones is that I can drown out the sound of big muscle men grunting and groaning when they are lifting weights the size of baby elephants, because if i'm totally honest is sometimes makes me feel really uncomfortable and i'm not too sure why!?
8. Invest in sports bras
If you are going to splash out on any part of your gym kit (apart from a good pair of trainers), I would really recommend putting money into your sports bras. Regardless of your cup size, your boobs are going to bounce around a bit whilst exercising which does no good for your boobs, and can cause them to sag, due to ligaments in the breast being broken down and stretching over time, and being unable to bounce back. When choosing a sports bra it is important to take in to consideration what type of exercise you will be doing, wether it is high impact or low impact, there are sports bra's available for both and more! So make sure you do your research and and look after them boobies!
9. If you're not feeling it, don't go!
There is nothing worse then forcing yourself to go to the gym when you really couldn't think of anything worse to be doing. Not everyone enjoys the gym all the time and that is absolutely ok. I don't think it is right to force yourself to go, because lets be honest, you're not going to get the most out of your workout if your are doing it really half heartedly and it could lead to injury if you're not doing exercises properly, so it really isn't worth the risk, so instead, go home sit in front of the TV with a cup of tea and relax.
10. No one is looking at you!
I'm including this because this is something I really struggled with when I first joined the gym, I would go with my boyfriend and follow him around the gym, he was like my little comfort blanket if you will. I was terrified that people where watching me and judging me on the exercises I did and the way I did them. I quickly figured out that this was just a confidence thing, going to the gym so regularly was so new to me, and so in the back of my mind I was always doubting myself, which led me to think I was being watched and this was totally not the case. If i'm completely honest, no one could care less about what you are doing, everyone else is so focused on what they are doing, they don't have the time to sit and worry about the way you are working out, so just go for it. If you are someone that struggles with this, then try to focus on your workout and pretend there is no else around you. I am more confident than ever in the gym now, and honestly since I have started ignoring the people around me, I have seen so much improvement in my work outs and the physical effects they are having on my body & I couldn't be happier.
Bonus tip.
ENJOY IT!
Have fun with it and you will notice the positive effects it has on not only your body, but your mental health too.
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