The Beginner’s Guide To Hitting The Gym

You’ve got the gear, you’ve found a workout buddy, now all that’s left is to hit the gym and get going on your new fitness regime. The only trouble is that, if you’ve never used them before, getting used to all of the different machines and workout mats might seem a little daunting and rather than powering through, you might take your exercise elsewhere. No more. The gym might be packed to the rafters with unusual looking machines and dedicated fitness fanatics but after a little time and focus, you can fully get to grips with it. Ready to become a gym bunny? Now might just be your chance.

  1. Be Safe
(source: bestoutdoorphotos.com)

(source: bestoutdoorphotos.com)

With so much new equipment to get your head around, it’s very easy to lose focus when you’re working out. Before you try any new equipment, make sure you enlist the help of either a personal trainer or a member of staff to talk you through each machine and give you a brief demonstration of how to use it. With weights, don’t be afraid to ask seasoned gym bunnies for help when it comes to style and technique. Picking up bad habits will only cause you strain and injury and over time, they might be harder to kick.

  1. Tidy Up
(source: sheknows.com)

(source: sheknows.com)

The gym is a public place and while you can use whatever you like in order to get fit, tidying up after yourself is a must. When you’ve finished your set, move back any free weights lying around, wipe down the machine with a clean towel and remove any settings you might have applied to machines. It might seem like common sense, but making the gym a more pleasant place for those around you will brighten your environment, too.

  1. Find Your Own Space
(source: lulasports.co.uk)

(source: lulasports.co.uk)

Want to shift some free weights? Make sure you find your own space before you get going. If your routine is packed full of dynamic weighted moves, searching for adequate space is a must before you get going; you need to be aware of the other people around you. Gym too busy? It might be time to leave the most dynamic exercises for another day and focus on something else.

  1. Take It Slowly
(source: ehow-blog.com)

(source: ehow-blog.com)

It’s tempting to let your ego get the better of you when you’re starting out at the gym, but piling on the weight for the sake of saving face won’t do you any favors. If you’re a fitness newbie, make sure you err on the side of caution and keep things lighter at the start. You can gradually up the ante as you get more comfortable with lifting but at first, listen to your body.

  1. Go In With A Plan
(source: myotropics.com)

(source: myotropics.com)

Having an idea of how you want to work out and which areas of your body you want to focus on can be a really good idea when you’re first starting out. You can try writing up a brief fitness plan, enlist the help of a gym bunny friend or even better, pay for a personal trainer during your first session. Personal trainers can help you to figure out the right kinds of exercises for you, target specific areas of your body and ultimately, meet your goals more quickly. Who doesn’t want that?