Complete Gym Newbie - Help :)

GG92

Hi Folks,

I'm sure this question gets asked again and again but here goes... I've recently joined a Flyefit gym nearby. I wouldn't describe myself as fat or anything but I would like to tone up and increase my general level of fitness. At the minute, I walk to work and back and around the shops and thats about it so I want to be realistic in my achievements. I've no big event coming up i'm just doing it for me.

I'm hoping to go to the gym 2-3 times a week starting off (not overly ambitious but I dont want to be disappointed if i dont make it). I did a spin class the other day and didnt die, though I couldn't exactly keep up either. I want to try yoga soon too.

Is there any classes people may recommend that a beginner could manage and that would help towards my goal of toning up/getting fit? I wouldn't mind if weights were involved but obviously I need to start slow.

Also, I don't want to limit myself to just classes. But as a complete newbie I dont really know how to "gym". I wouldnt be sure whats best for me and how often I should do it. Flyefit dont give you a plan starting off and I think i'd be very intimidated at first to approach a PT.

Does anyone have any links to good plans online that may be adjustable for beginners?
I'm currently seeing a physio for my back and knees (she thinks the gym could be good for me) but I would ideally like to stay away from being on a threadmill for too long due to its impact on the knees.

Any helpful tips/advice would be hugely appreciated

Zillah

You should just man/woman up and get a couple of introductory classes with a personal trainer who can show you the basics and outline a plan for the near future. People with zero experience looking for beginner guidance probably make up a huge percentage of their clients.

You should also be doing weights from day 1, don't be intimidated.

coffee_cake

GG92 wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I'm sure this question gets asked again and again but here goes... I've recently joined a Flyefit gym nearby. I wouldn't describe myself as fat or anything but I would like to tone up and increase my general level of fitness. At the minute, I walk to work and back and around the shops and thats about it so I want to be realistic in my achievements. I've no big event coming up i'm just doing it for me.

I'm hoping to go to the gym 2-3 times a week starting off (not overly ambitious but I dont want to be disappointed if i dont make it). I did a spin class the other day and didnt die, though I couldn't exactly keep up either. I want to try yoga soon too.

Is there any classes people may recommend that a beginner could manage and that would help towards my goal of toning up/getting fit? I wouldn't mind if weights were involved but obviously I need to start slow.

Also, I don't want to limit myself to just classes. But as a complete newbie I dont really know how to "gym". I wouldnt be sure whats best for me and how often I should do it. Flyefit dont give you a plan starting off and I think i'd be very intimidated at first to approach a PT.

Does anyone have any links to good plans online that may be adjustable for beginners?
I'm currently seeing a physio for my back and knees (she thinks the gym could be good for me) but I would ideally like to stay away from being on a threadmill for too long due to its impact on the knees.

Any helpful tips/advice would be hugely appreciated

If you are seeing a physio I would recommend getting a trainer and getting them to help you. A good one. It will also give you more confidence to go in there and do your thing

GG92

Thanks folks There's a list of trainers on their website, it's just hard to know which one would be the best. I don't mind paying the extra once i know it'll be worth my while,

I used to lift weights following the operation transformation videos at home. Actually quite enjoyed it but then i got out of the habit. Plus the weights were minimal - i found it tough but i means im not exactly muscle material

Alf Veedersane

GG92 wrote: »

Hi Folks,Does anyone have any links to good plans online that may be adjustable for beginners?
I'm currently seeing a physio for my back and knees (she thinks the gym could be good for me) but I would ideally like to stay away from being on a threadmill for too long due to its impact on the knees.

Any helpful tips/advice would be hugely appreciated

Given that you're seeing a physio for knee and back issues, I'd get a trainer who will be able to have you doing exercises that will help / work around the issues. If you're a beginner you will have no idea how to adjust it for your knee and back issues.

And they will have you do the best exercises for you.

And like bluewolf said, you'll have more.confidence to tackle the gym on your own once you've been shown what's what.

Alf Veedersane

GG92 wrote: »

Thanks folks There's a list of trainers on their website, it's just hard to know which one would be the best. I don't mind paying the extra once i know it'll be worth my while,

I used to lift weights following the operation transformation videos at home. Actually quite enjoyed it but then i got out of the habit. Plus the weights were minimal - i found it tough but i means im not exactly muscle material

Everyone that starts in the gym starts with zero experience. And when you're there, all you can give is your best and work at being a stronger, fitter, better you

coffee_cake

I can tell my "terrible ankles" story again if that helps

Alf Veedersane

Yes please.

CPTM

GG92 wrote:

Thanks folks There's a list of trainers on their website, it's just hard to know which one would be the best. I don't mind paying the extra once i know it'll be worth my while,

Most gyms that are managed well have a variety of different trainers that specialise in running to weight training to flexibility to weight loss. All the trainers would have the basics down for each though.

If I were you I would go to the front desk and tell them your goals and let them assign the trainer for the first lesson. If you were an experienced bodybuilder looking for specific coaching, or an injured person looking for specific rehabilitation then it would be a different story, but any qualified trainer can give you what you're looking for - introduction lessons and start off programme. 8 weeks in you'll have a vibe of who's the guy or gal that stands out to you and you can always ask them for a new programme at that stage.

Surprised flyfit don't do a free induction programme. Is that normal across most gyms? The 3 I've joined so far in my life all had first programme included for free with a walkthrough.

It's worth it regardless OP, would definitely recommend it - and best of luck, enjoy it!

Zillah

CPTM wrote: »

If I were you I would go to the front desk...Surprised flyfit don't do a free induction programme. Is that normal across most gyms? The 3 I've joined so far in my life all had first programme included for free with a walkthrough.

Yeah, Flyefit is very much your impersonal low-cost gym, which I absolutely love. I don't want a pool, I don't want customer service, I don't want programmes or classes, I want access to a bunch of well-maintained weight training equipment and I want it to not cost an arm and a leg.

Flyfit branches don't even have a front desk, they're automatic turnstiles. They do offer an introductory session which must be opted out of when you first sign up, but from what I've seen they just kind of show you around for a few minutes, it looks quite perfunctory.

AlmightyCushion

Zillah wrote: »

Yeah, Flyefit is very much your impersonal low-cost gym, which I absolutely love. I don't want a pool, I don't want customer service, I don't want programmes or classes, I want access to a bunch of well-maintained weight training equipment and I want it to not cost an arm and a leg.

Flyfit branches don't even have a front desk, they're automatic turnstiles. They do offer an introductory session which must be opted out of when you first sign up, but from what I've seen they just kind of show you around for a few minutes, it looks quite perfunctory.

FlyeFit actually do lots of classes. I'm not sure how good they actually are mind as I haven't joined them yet.

Zillah

Sorry, yes, as phrased that sounded like I was saying they don't offer classes. I went off on a bit of a tangent about my ideal gym. I'd like to not pay for classes I don't use. But yes Flyefit do do various classes. I could see them doing something of dubious merit involving straps from the ceiling in the new Harrington St branch recently.

GG92

Zillah wrote: »

Yeah, Flyefit is very much your impersonal low-cost gym, which I absolutely love. I don't want a pool, I don't want customer service, I don't want programmes or classes, I want access to a bunch of well-maintained weight training equipment and I want it to not cost an arm and a leg.

Flyfit branches don't even have a front desk, they're automatic turnstiles. They do offer an introductory session which must be opted out of when you first sign up, but from what I've seen they just kind of show you around for a few minutes, it looks quite perfunctory.

I see your point , I did my research on Flyefit before I joined and i found it to be the gym that suited me best. I would have no use for the pool etc and I am perfectly fine doing my own thing but for starting off I have no idea what the right thing is. I've done some research and I know what kind of machines I would like to use but simple things such as how they work and how much to do is what I'm wary of - nobody wants to be the new girl in the gym thats obviously doing something completely wrong ha.

How much help/advice can the onsite PT people give without it constituting as a personal training session? Is it worth paying for a session just to get someone to show me how to use all these machines etc?

AlmightyCushion

GG92 wrote: »

I see your point , I did my research on Flyefit before I joined and i found it to be the gym that suited me best. I would have no use for the pool etc and I am perfectly fine doing my own thing but for starting off I have no idea what the right thing is. I've done some research and I know what kind of machines I would like to use but simple things such as how they work and how much to do is what I'm wary of - nobody wants to be the new girl in the gym thats obviously doing something completely wrong ha.

How much help/advice can the onsite PT people give without it constituting as a personal training session? Is it worth paying for a session just to get someone to show me how to use all these machines etc?

If you search on youtube the name of the lift or the machine then you'll find plenty of videos on how to do/use them. Some will be great, some will be awful. I'm sure some here can recommend good ones but I've found Scott Herman's videos pretty good in the past. I don't know if he does much with machines though as I don't really use them. Any machines I've seen usually had some instructions beside them on how to use them however.

Nervous Wreck

GG92 wrote: »

I see your point , I did my research on Flyefit before I joined and i found it to be the gym that suited me best. I would have no use for the pool etc and I am perfectly fine doing my own thing but for starting off I have no idea what the right thing is. I've done some research and I know what kind of machines I would like to use but simple things such as how they work and how much to do is what I'm wary of - nobody wants to be the new girl in the gym thats obviously doing something completely wrong ha.

How much help/advice can the onsite PT people give without it constituting as a personal training session? Is it worth paying for a session just to get someone to show me how to use all these machines etc?

Particularly with your pre-existing injuries, you should see a PT. You could worry about the cost of a one off session or you could worry about the potential cost of months of physio, surgery, lost wages etc if you proceed unaided and exacerbate existing injuries, or pick up some new ones. It's well worth the session.

Can't speak for other gyms but from what I've seen the majority of PTs in the Flyefit I use range from lacklustre to outright shît. Which one do you use?