Hi,

I have never, ever worked out in a gym or had a gym membership. I really get nervous about working out with other people around, so I have avoided the entire gym issue forever.

But, the thing is, I really love using treadmills and weights, and my recent move unfortunately resulted in me no longer having access to my own private treadmill, weights, etc. So here I am, seriously considering joining a gym.

I am considering Planet Fitness. There is one 3 miles from my job, which is good because I set my own hours at work, so the proximity means I could adapt my workout schedule from week to week. Does anyone have any experience with Planet Fitness? Anything specific to the chain that I should know?

Also, any suggestions for someone who's wicked self-conscious and nervous about walking into a gym for the first time? I don't really want to take classes (yet), but I would really like to have access to equipment I could use on my own. Working out at home with DVDs and walking outside just isn't cutting it anymore.

Any thoughts?

I don't know anything about that chain - I go to LA Fitness, which is probably somewhat similar.

I'd say when you first go in, be sure and get the whole tour. There were a lot of features about my gym that I didn't really know until I got a tour from one of the trainers. Also do sign up for your free training session if you're allowed one. My gym allows a free session and body composition testing every 6 months ... even if you don't wind up hiring a trainer long term, take advantage of what you're paying for!

There are a few gym etiquette things to be aware of that might not be obvious if you've never worked out in a large group setting before (some of these might be obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many people just don't think about some of this):
Don't stare at people
Wipe the machines down after you use them (there are usually papertowels and disinfectant for this)
Don't wear a lot of perfume or scented deodorant
Don't talk on the phone or sing along to your music
If you're doing long sets of weights, ask people if they want to work in

And as far as other people - really most of the time they're not going to notice you or care about what you do unless you blatantly break a rule or do something unusual.

Just go and do your thing. Really once you get into a zone with whatever you're doing, you'll be able to tune everyone else out, too.

.

Lots of good advice in the post above. Folks I work with go to PF and love it. I use a small private gym because it has a pool and is close to my home. But no matter wht gym, some things are still the same. The etiquette mentioned above is a must. Also-no one is staring. They are all there doing their own thing. The main thing is to get in there and work out. The activities at the gym are so empowering. And nothing is more empowering than getting strong and fit. Don't worry about classes yet. Lift some weights, and get some cardio in. Eventually you can add other things. Enjoy.

Know that almost everyone feels this way the first time they walk into a gym. It took me well over a year of drive-bys and sly glances in their frount window before I worked up the courage to walk in the front door of my gym. But also know that it actually ends up being easier than you think. Anybody running a gym knows how intimidating it is; they have sales people trained to make you feel comfortable. So just walk up to the front desk, say that you are considering joining, you'd like to get a tour, you'd like to know if you can get a free pass for a week or so to check it out, and you'd like to know if they are offering any membership specials. The receptionist will call a salesperson over to help you and give you the tour (you might want to wait for the salesperson to ask the second two questions and the answers to all three questions should be yes, yes, yes! )

I don't know anything about Planet Fitness, but here are some of the things I would look for:

• Crowds: Assuming you get a free weekly pass, go at least once during the time you are most likely to be going. How crowded is it? Are you able to easily get the equipment you want to use?
• Peak Hours: Go at least once during peak hours (usually 6:00 PM to 8:00 on weekdays). How crowded is it? Are you able to easily get the equipment you want to use?
• Free Weights: How many sets do they have? Do the have multiple sets in the low weights? I like to see multiple set of all weights between 5 lbs to 25 lbs because those are the ones that I, and everyone else, seems to use most often. Is there enough variety in the weight levels--I like to able to choose between 5 lbs, 8 lbs, 10 lbs, 12 lbs, 15 lb, 20 lbs, and 25 lbs. I went to one gym that had no free weights that were less than 15 lbs--that's a big problem for me!
• Weight Machines: Are there enough of them and do they cover all the various muscle groups? Do they have duplicates of the popular machines? Are they in good repair?
• Toys: Do they have other toys and how many? I like to see lots of the following types of equipment: BoSus, medicine balls, resistance bands and cords, steps, fitness balls, and mats. Not just one of each, but lots of these toys out and available for members to use.
• Cardio: What types of cardio equipment do they have? How many pieces of each? Is there a waiting list to use the cardio equipment during peak hours, or, even worse, during non-peak hours? Is there broken equipment? If so, does it get fixed quickly? Do they have spinning equipment and classes? What about some of the more unusual equipment, such as a stepmills, rowing machines or hand bicycles?
• Classes: Check out the classes that they offer and how popular the classes are (classes that aren't well attended usually indicate poor instructors--at least that's definitely the case at my gym--you can tell how good an instructor is by how many people are in the class). Do you have to sign up in advance for classes and do classes fill up? If so, how early do you have to get there to get into the classes? Are all the classes free? Do they offer a wide variety of classes? Do they offer classes in the current hot trends, such as Zumba or pilates? Are the classes at convenient times?
• Perks: Any other perks, such as a sauna, pool, hot tub, towel service, body composition testing, metabolic rate testing, fitness tests, etc.? Check these things out. E.g., is the sauna crowded (worse, is it co-ed? hot, sweaty men=ewww!) If they have a pool, is it at least 25 yds, is it clean, is the water temperature ok (s/b a little cool to the touch) and do they keep kids out of it (or at least out of the lap lanes)?
• Cleanliness: Is the gym generally clean? How about the locker rooms and bathrooms?

The good news is that you are already one step ahead of a lot first-time gym goers because you are already exercising and have some experience with weights. The first time I went to the gym, I practically couldn't figure out how to start the TM (and forget about the elliptical--that was totally confusing) and I was afraid to even look at the weights. Ha ha! Now I'm so savvy I'm giving other people advice about what to look for in a gym and I call the treadmill a "TM"! Am I cool or what?

I am in Canada so I can't comment on Planet Fitness. Lots of useful advice already posted, I just wanted to say that I joined a gym in April (this was not the first time, but my previous gym-going was not very successful; but this time, I found a gym I LOVE and I am confident I will be going there for a long time) and the first couple of visits, I really had to "pep-talk" myself into going.
Remember: it will go easier with each visit.
Even though now going to the gym has become a routine I still prefer going at times when it is less busy. Not because I am think people are looking at me or anything like that, I simply like when there are only very few people. (I have never been into crowds). So you may want to ask whoever will be giving you a tour what are the busiest times. At my gym (and I am talking evenings only, as I work full time so my visit are between 6:00 - 9:00 pm on weekdays) Mondays and Tuesdays are the worst. Wednesday it is smidge less busy and Thursday and Fridays noticeably better. Best time is Sunday late afternoon - there is hardly anybody there.
Maybe you will prefer to hit the gym at the least busy time, initially at first, until you feel more less intimidated. Don't worry, two months down the road you will laugh about this!