First thing I should do at a gym?...

Gloom

Please excuse the stupid question.

Hey, everyone. Starting college in a few weeks and I've planned to join the gym/start swimming for exercise. I am attending TCD in Dublin. Would it be better to join the college gym or one in the city? Anyway, my "stupid" question is..

What exactly do I do on my first time at a gym? Do I just go straight to whatever machine I like and begin or should I speak to someone there and discuss what I plan to do and get advice? Cheers. (Lol, sort of nervous of entering the gym and all the fit people looking down on the guy entering )

Cheers for replies! Plan to use this forum and stickied threads like a bible!

Chris89

I would definitely get a programme off one of the trainers there, they may be basic but they will get you used to the movements and they can tell you hands on and face to face where you are going wrong.

After a couple of months and when your body is used to the new training, I would definitely look to advance your training, whether it be via the internet or elsewhere.

FishTaco

Would it be better to join the college gym or one in the city?

As far as I know membership of the gym is included in your registration fee at Trinners

Chris89

FishTaco wrote: »

Trinners

Shudder

waraf

Gloom wrote: »

What exactly do I do on my first time at a gym?

Check out the lycra clad ladies of course! Jeez kids these days :rolleyes:

fifth

Find out where everything is, showers,changin room, lockers, and seek out an instructor - always better to be shown how to use the machines/equipment.

Always remember gym etiquette like not hogging machines etc!

Then grab a towl and water and get going..

FishTaco

Chris89 wrote: »

Shudder

Eh?

mdc5065

Most facilities I've been around have offered new members something complimentary to the effect of a basic routine and fitness assessment like the previous posts mention. However if it's advice on the program you're to use that you're looking for, I'd say start with core building exercises and major muscle groups. Strengthening these major groups will give you the building blocks from which you can create a solid program and go toward your personal goals. There's nothing worse than a strained rotator cuff or pulled back after the first few days in the gym. I've seen many people hit the gym hard right away just to need a few weeks off to recover. My suggested plan is quite simple: Squat, Crunches, Deadlift, Bench Press. Just spend a week or two doing these simple movements and then you'll be set to create a more specific program.

Note: This doesn't mean cut out your swimming etc, just a hint for your weight room days. And don't worry about the "fit people looking down on" you. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it's not like they got where they are without at one point being where you are

Futurism

Gloom wrote: »

Please excuse the stupid question.

Hey, everyone. Starting college in a few weeks and I've planned to join the gym/start swimming for exercise. I am attending TCD in Dublin. Would it be better to join the college gym or one in the city? Anyway, my "stupid" question is..

What exactly do I do on my first time at a gym? Do I just go straight to whatever machine I like and begin or should I speak to someone there and discuss what I plan to do and get advice? Cheers. (Lol, sort of nervous of entering the gym and all the fit people looking down on the guy entering )

Cheers for replies! Plan to use this forum and stickied threads like a bible!

I'm in the same position as you. The gym in Trinity is included in the registration fee by the way! Talk to someone working and get them to show you how to the various exericses with correct form.

Have a look here for a good program to begin with. I'm going to start with this too.

Don't worry about people looking down on you at all. People will only commend you for going to the gym and doing something rather than doing nothing. I'm unfit and weak but it's not going to stop me going in!