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.