How do you deal with your first day at the gym? Excited? nervous? anxious? I hate having to switch gyms due to location change or anything. It is usually hard for me to find the right gym. I sometimes have this feeling of fear when i am going to a new gym. After going to a previous gym for a while, i get used to everything and get intimidated when i have to figure out where machines are or what classes are offered at a new gym. I remember my first time at the gym, an actual full gym, i was so intimidated i left lolll. I could not figure out how to use the machines and felt awkward looking at the pictures for so long. Plus it did not help that everyone else looked like they had it all together. It was so hard understanding anything there.
With the New year comes so many resolutions, one of which is the popular fitness resolution. The first few weeks of the gym are very packed compared to any other period. Everyone wants to lose weight, bulk up, tone up etc. However, not everyone knows where to begin, what machines to use and this can be very intimidating. Especially if you have never stepped foot in a gym before. Most people do not know what to bring to the gym on their first day, what to do on their day at the gym, or even survive the first day. If you can relate to some of these feelings, then i got your back. Here are 5 tips to conquer your first day at the gym so you do not have to walk out like i did.
5 tips to survive your first day at the gym
Ask for help at the gym
There are personal trainers all over the gym looking to help you out. Do not feel intimidated, walk up to one of them and ask for help. Its a lot better to ask for help and feel silly than to attempt the exercise and fall flat on your face with the equipment on you. Now that will make for a hilarious sight! You can also ask someone working out as well. If they seem to know what they are doing, why not ask them to help you out?
Have a plan for your first workout
I find that having a plan really helps, especially for a first day. With the first day, i would recommend very basic workouts especially with easy equipment like dumbbells or things you do not have to get confused over. It also helps if you look up a few workout plans and how to do the exercises before you go in. Not having a plan will end up frustrating you. Most people do not know what to do at the gym to lose weight or stay fit. Also, pack your gym bag with the right essentials the day before. I have a post on gym bag essentials. You can also try using some workout apps that have great exercises. I have an ebook with a 30-day plan to lose weight, i used this when i had my daughter to lose all the baby weight and get my body back.
Go with a friend
Now, this definitely will be the best tip for me. If you are going to the gym for the first time alone, it might be intimidating. However, if you are like me and do not have many gym friends, then this would not help much. Going with a friend kind of eases the embarrassment level up a bit, You can both feel intimidated together or pass on the confidence energy to each other. Going with a friend will also keep you motivated to push harder than you would have on your own.
Learn gym etiquettes
There are certain gym etiquettes you should understand while at the gym. First, always wipe down your equipment after use. You do not want to leave your sweat on there for someone else. Imagine if a sweaty person did that to you and now you have your hands rubbing their sweat. Second, wear your headphones if you are listening to music. No-one wants to join in listening to your music across the entire room. Third, No cell phones, do not talk and yell on your cell phones while in the gym. If you must take a call, go outside. No one wants to be interrupted by your chitchat sessions. Fourth, Re-rack your weights or return equipment to their right places. Don’t you just hate when the dumbbells and balls are all over the place?
Start with fitness classes
One other easy way out is to start out your first day with fitness group classes. This will help you get into the swing of things and also help you get to know one or two people while having fun.
I also talked about a few tips to make your workout effective
Check out the following post on 14 mistakes not to make at the gym
What are some experiences you have had at the gym that made you embarrassed and how did you combat them?
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Love this, great tips!
Thanks a lot!!!
Great read to help get over the nerves of walking into a new gym!
Yep, the first day can be a real stressor!!
Ahh I needed this! Getting into my New Year’s Resolution and I’m a total workout noob.
lolllll @workout noob. Btw i love your blog theme!!!
I love that you included gym etiquette! Everyone needs gym etiquette! 🙂
Gosh, i have real pet peeves at the gym like not re-racking the weights or wiping the equipment!
So true!! I feel like making plans with friends to workout helps me. Especially if you make plans with the ones that will make sure you show up 😉 Happy 2018!
True, gotta be the right friends if not you will all join in and hang out instead lolll
NIce tips 🙂 Recently, I went to a gym for the first time after a long, long while and it was absolutely horrifying, haha. Now I definitely love it there. I think the first push to actually GO is crucial!
Cheers!
Ieva // http://www.therandomp.com
I totally agree, the first push is to GO, then everything else will eventually fall in place. I hope the gym is less horrifying so far!
Great tips! Going with a friend definitely helps when your unmotivated
Thanks!!
Really great tips. So true about always feeling intimidated at a new gym. I’ve felt that before! Love that you addressed etiquette! Headed to the gym myself in about 2 hours! 😉
Lol yep, i have a few pet peeves in the gym and always wish they had an etiquette book to go along with registrations lolll
LOVE this post! Best tips for the first day at the gym! Going with a buddy always helps me push myself harder!
XO http://www.lydialouise.com/
Thanks!!!
The gym can be intimidating especially when you don’t know how to use a machine! Thank you for sharing.
I know right, and then you have to stare at the machine “how to use” pictures and look silly lol
Yes! Keep moving right?! I’m on day 9 (every day so far this year) of making it to the gym and it feels amazing!
xo,
Andi
http://www.ouiwegirl.com
Gosh, everyday already?? Great work!!! I have missed about 3 days loll
What a perfect post for the new year! I take small group classes, but I went to the gym a few weeks ago and I forgot how awkward and intimidating it can be!!! This is so helpful!
Haha, its a different feeling being in a class and the gym, i feel like class is a bit less intimidating, unless its Zumba for me, then i feel so awkward lol
Great post and very comprehensive. I was literally when I saw your post on Facebook. Great job
Thanks!!
Having a friend with you as support on your first day is so important! Working out tends to be much easier when you have a partner. Great post!
xo Rachel | http://www.thesassroom.com
Thanks a lot!!
I just started a Burlesque class the other day and it is my first time doing a workout class and I usually just do home workouts so I was sooo nervous! I wish I would have read this post before because I was super unprepared, packing a gym bag the night before is great advice.
Ooooh i have not tried one of those classes before, that is something i should actually look to do this year now that you mentioned it!
I really like this list. I wrote a similar post because I remember my first day in the gym, I was so intimidated! Going with a friend on the first day is a must, always the number one tip when it comes to gym newbies.