[lucky_me]

I just joined the gym and I love it. I have been doing videos at home for awhile now because I was too self-conscious to be jogging in front of others. But... a few of my friends from work and I decided to join because of a special they were running. I have been going for the past few days and I love it, much better than at home, so many more options.

Anyway! This may be kind of silly but now that I have joined the gym, what do I do there?

I love doing the ellipticals, I do those for about 45-60 minutes each time I go and I like doing some weight training but when I go to use the machines there are just so many. I don't know where to start, what to use for what and how to use them properly. I thought about getting a personal trainer, but honestly, it is a little bit out of my price range.

Does anyone have any suggestions about fitness routines or links to build a work out and how to do moves properly? Should I do cardio or weight lifting first? For weight loss, how often and how long should I be going? How many reps should I be doing and how should I rotate through muscle groups?

Wow, that's a bit of an overload of questions. Thanks for your help!

[DeafinlySmart]

I just started too! At my gym, if you ask, they can schedule an appt to have someone show you how to use those machines (mini personal trainer session) for free. I can't afford the real sessions either. They probably do this to avoid injury. You can also check out your aerobics. I just took my first butt and gut class. That was an INTENSE workout, but doable. I had to take 20-30 sec pauses occasionally because I'm not in good shape. I didn't feel too bad though because there was a bulked up dude in there that was straining. If you don't use those muscles, it doesn't matter how strong you are! I also like water aerobics. I find those so much easier to do. I struggled with the other class because I couldn't do a proper sit up (my neck was hurting too bad. I'm thinking of investing in a mat that has a bar on it and a neck support to help with that. Mostly I want to play with different classes, different machines, ask to show me the weights, etc. The more varied the better for me. I started out on the bicycles because it was the only thing that left my hands free to read a magazine or play games on my cell. I was a little bored. In aerobics class I don't have time to be bored

I'm still struggling with WANTING to go. I'm new. It takes time to develop a habit. We also have a pool and racketball court, but I doubt I'll use them.

[elmay]

Starting out, I did aerobics (elliptical) 3x/week and strength training 2x/week.

For strength training, there are several good books available. Two of my favorites are "Body For Life" and "Weight Training For Dummies". Both have lots of pictures & lots of advice. I've seen the recommendation that you should not train the same body part within 48 hours. If you do a whole body workout, then just take at least a day off between sessions. Or, you can do legs one day and arms the next.

You probably should also train your core -- abs and back muscles. Some ways to do this include crunches, ab machines, pilates, yoga, etc...

For aerobics, it's recommended that you train at 65-80% of your heart rate at least 20 minutes. You should also warm up and cool down. I usually just hit the "cool down" button on whatever cardio machine I'm using.

Finally, you should stretch after you're warmed up (for instance, at the end of your workout).

I recommend trying to do at least one session with a trainer so that you can make sure you're doing your weight lifting properly. Sometimes they have strength training classes you can do also.

Good luck & I hope this helps .

[yipeiokyay]

Most gyms offer 1 or 2 free sessions with a personal trainer. I would start there and have them tell you what you need to do.

[AquaWarlock]

agreed with above about the trainer---once I tried one of thsoe chest presser machines at a gym w/o knowing how to really use it... and clanged the 2 metal beams on the sides of my head

I would also recommend switching it up so you're working your entire body and so that you get enough variety to be not too bored and sick of the gym.

[Miaka]

For more information on starting a weight training programs with machines, I found a great website with lot's of great information. They even have video clips showing you how to use the machines.

http://www.ballyfitness.com/rapid_re...ages/begin.asp

[tobetheman]

Warning! WArning! Do not use the towels offered to u by the gym. The towels are the most dirty thing in the gym. I saw this maybe 3 months or more ago on one of the late news shows - 60 min, 20/20, Dateline, I can't recall but it was one of the main three. Take ur own towels. They say that u can find just about anything on these towels at the gym cause they don't wash them properly, which I believe too be true. I always used to take my own towel and water bottle. Good thing!

[LaurieM35]

I have also recently gotten into working out, I have an appt with one of the trainers at the Y next week to show me around but what I have been doing is I go in do a 20 min walk on the treadmill like a warm up, then I hit the Quick Fit room which is like Curves and I work out there for 30 mins. This gives me both cardio and weight training. I don't dare go into the big work out room, those flat butt ladies kinda intimidate me! LOL! But I will gradually over come this and I wil enter that room at my own pace!

[fikustrees]

Here is a great website on weight training
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php

she give a LOT of great form tips.

Try and take some of the classes that your gym has, then you will know if there are other things you like.