Thinking about starting the gym

Volturnus

Recently I have wanted to start going to the gym. I am 20 and have never been to the gym before, I'm not fat or skinny really but I don't like how my forearms are so small. The problem is most of my mates are like me and never go to the gym so I will have no one to go with and show me the ropes. What should I do to get started? I don't want to go there and not know what form to use etc. and make a fool out of myself.

Nervous Wreck

Volturnus wrote: »

Recently I have wanted to start going to the gym. I am 20 and have never been to the gym before, I'm not fat or skinny really but I don't like how my forearms are so small. The problem is most of my mates are like me and never go to the gym so I will have no one to go with and show me the ropes. What should I do to get started? I don't want to go there and not know what form to use etc. and make a fool out of myself.

Spend €60 on a session with a reputable personal trainer who can show you the ropes. You'll get the value of that session every time you set foot in a gym. Let us know where you're from and we can make suggestions on PTs.

Brian?

Stop thinking and do. You won't regret it.

IronSteve

Keep your 60 euro. Buy a copy of Starting Strength or do some other beginner program.
One session with a PT will hardly stick with you. Form is something you will have to work on yourself each session.
Start a training log in an online strength community too. I like IronStrong

Volturnus

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Spend €60 on a session with a reputable personal trainer who can show you the ropes. You'll get the value of that session every time you set foot in a gym. Let us know where you're from and we can make suggestions on PTs.

I'm from Clondalkin. I am planning on going but I'd rather not look like a muppet that doesn't have a clue what to do so I need to find out some stuff first.

Nervous Wreck

IronSteve wrote: »

Keep your 60 euro. Buy a copy of Starting Strength or do some other beginner program.
One session with a PT will hardly stick with you. Form is something you will have to work on yourself each session.
Start a training log in an online strength community too. I like IronStrong

I agree with that bit. If someone shows you how to lift correctly, you'll still need to work on it every session. Six years into lifting, I still remind myself how to bench press every time I get under the bar and I still remember every cue before I deadlift. I've avoided injuries by cementing good behaviours. Trust me OP, it'll be much easier to cement bad ones.

Nervous Wreck

Volturnus wrote: »

I'm from Clondalkin. I am planning on going but I'd rather not look like a muppet that doesn't have a clue what to do so I need to find out some stuff first.

I'm afraid I don't know anyone in/near Clondalkin but someone else reading the thread might!

swededmonkey

Give the colloseum in ballyfermot a ring. Great gym and they have loads of independent PT's who work with clients in there. Think you will need to be a member to train in there with a PT but it's very reasonable for about €12 a week. One of the guys at reception would be able to put you in the right direction for a contact name/number

IronSteve

You'll have to get over your fear of looking like a muppet. Most people in the gym are only concerned with their own training anyway.
You're starting from scratch, there might be a girl beside you repping your max...none of it matters.
The best gym is the one that's most convenient for you to fit into your life.Join it, read stuff, focus on form, use a PT if you want or not...train between 2-4 times a week for years...profit

MysticMonk

Great way to get free advice is be nice to people in the gym.
Asking people can you work in is a good way to get a bit of gym experience.
There's very few unfriendly people in gyms and the majority of people will be only too happy to give you a few tips or show you correct form.
There's no shame in asking somebody to show you how best to do a particular exercise or use a particular machine.
Remember, everybody had to start at the beginning once.
You can get training partners like that too..be nice,be respectful and lift light til you can lift right !

Caliden

Don't worry about making a fool of yourself.


Nobody in whatever gym you go to knew what they were doing when they started. Everyone started with the basics.

rondog

I would echo what a previous poster said and invest in a couple of sessions with a PT.
A couple of friends tried to self teach and and after months still had bad form ,hadn't a clue what half the equipment was for.You can 'think' you are doing an exercise with the same form as a video but you may be off the mark.
Some machines may look simple to use  but you could still be making minor mistakes.

GalwayGrrrrrl

Most gyms will give you a free assessment and training program - use that to get started. Once you get comfortable either speak to some of the regulars or look at a program like Stronglifts 5x5 or New Rules of Lifting for men (or women) for a regime.

ludite

Volturnus wrote: »

I'm from Clondalkin. I am planning on going but I'd rather not look like a muppet that doesn't have a clue what to do so I need to find out some stuff first.

People are so engrossed with themselves at the gym, they don't even notice you. It's actually like being invisible.

tmabr

Volturnus wrote: »

Recently I have wanted to start going to the gym. I am 20 and have never been to the gym before, I'm not fat or skinny really but I don't like how my forearms are so small. The problem is most of my mates are like me and never go to the gym so I will have no one to go with and show me the ropes. What should I do to get started? I don't want to go there and not know what form to use etc. and make a fool out of myself.

Im the same, but joined a gym last night. looked at a few and settled on this one for some reason.39€ for a month. arranged to have the PT set a programme for me.

got there, loads of bodybuilder lads. Nearly ran out but didn't. after 5mins the paranoia is gone. no one bothers looking at you even though you are obviously a newbie getting shown around. after 10 mins im wrecked cause im so unfit and dont care if anyone is looking anyway-just trying not to faint:)

tmabr

Just an update for ya (dont worry im not gonna give u running commentary)

As i said earlier i was a bit paro but thats gone, my reason to join - im 40 and off the smokes a year and putting on a belly.

i have vastly improved my nutrition using my fitness app. and i started swimming twice a week

2nd night last night - went great, got my programme and instructions on new machines and free weights. Trainer showed me different exercises with the dumbells so i was down the end i feared with all the bodybuilders at the big mirror.

The lads just aint bothered with anyone bar themselves, in fact i could see them wanting to assist me or encourage me. I was lifting 7/8 lb dumbells i think and they had 20/30. I said to the trainer - give me the little pink ones there if u want - couldnt care less:)

Anyway, my arms and legs are a little bit sore today but ill go tomorrow and start on my own.

Just go for it

LincolnHawk

Fair play tmabr, keep at it

Volturnus

tmabr wrote: »

Just an update for ya (dont worry im not gonna give u running commentary)

As i said earlier i was a bit paro but thats gone, my reason to join - im 40 and off the smokes a year and putting on a belly.

i have vastly improved my nutrition using my fitness app. and i started swimming twice a week

2nd night last night - went great, got my programme and instructions on new machines and free weights. Trainer showed me different exercises with the dumbells so i was down the end i feared with all the bodybuilders at the big mirror.

The lads just aint bothered with anyone bar themselves, in fact i could see them wanting to assist me or encourage me. I was lifting 7/8 lb dumbells i think and they had 20/30. I said to the trainer - give me the little pink ones there if u want - couldnt care less:)

Anyway, my arms and legs are a little bit sore today but ill go tomorrow and start on my own.

Just go for it

That's great, definitely need to start going. I'm going to start soon, just need some stuff to sort out first. Will get a PT for a session or 2.

Asmodean

I said to the trainer - give me the little pink ones there if u want - couldnt care less

Sums it all up perfectly! You are there for you and you only. Every winner was once a beginner. Start at a pace / weight that is comfortable for you at the start. It won't be long until you feel ready to start adding more weight. Well done and keep up the good work.

Transform

tmabr wrote: »

Just an update for ya (dont worry im not gonna give u running commentary)

As i said earlier i was a bit paro but thats gone, my reason to join - im 40 and off the smokes a year and putting on a belly.

i have vastly improved my nutrition using my fitness app. and i started swimming twice a week

2nd night last night - went great, got my programme and instructions on new machines and free weights. Trainer showed me different exercises with the dumbells so i was down the end i feared with all the bodybuilders at the big mirror.

The lads just aint bothered with anyone bar themselves, in fact i could see them wanting to assist me or encourage me. I was lifting 7/8 lb dumbells i think and they had 20/30. I said to the trainer - give me the little pink ones there if u want - couldnt care less:)

Anyway, my arms and legs are a little bit sore today but ill go tomorrow and start on my own.

Just go for it

this is possibly the best attitude ive seen in a while from a new gym goer ^^^^^^^^^

Love it, keep it up

Zillah

tmabr wrote: »

The lads just aint bothered with anyone bar themselves, in fact i could see them wanting to assist me or encourage me. I was lifting 7/8 lb dumbells i think and they had 20/30. I said to the trainer - give me the little pink ones there if u want - couldnt care less:)

This is all great to hear.

One small tip for future reference: the numbers are almost certainly kg rather than lbs.

tmabr

Zillah wrote: »

This is all great to hear.

One small tip for future reference: the numbers are almost certainly kg rather than lbs.

Yes my biceps agree as they refused to move the next day. ðŸ˜

ludite

The first few days and weeks are probably the most difficult but it gets easier every day and you feel so much better. Just stick with it and slowly change your diet as well. You will be surprised how quickly you will want to eat better too!

ittakestwo

Volturnus wrote: »

Recently I have wanted to start going to the gym. I am 20 and have never been to the gym before, I'm not fat or skinny really but I don't like how my forearms are so small. The problem is most of my mates are like me and never go to the gym so I will have no one to go with and show me the ropes. What should I do to get started? I don't want to go there and not know what form to use etc. and make a fool out of myself.

At 20 a PT might be expensive. I joined a gym in June and have been going regularly since by myself and did not get a PT. I am toning up nicely and lifting heavier tho I was coming from a very weak starting piont.

Look at utube videos of exersises to muscles you want to work on. Also look on the common mistakes of that lift so you are not doing it wrong and risking injury. It will give you great advice on how to lift or not lift a weight aswell as how many reps and sets to do.