For beginners to the world of fitness, the gym is the ideal place to start. It is the perfect place to tone, trim and shape your body. The gym is full of different machines, weights and equipment all designed to work every muscle in your body. But where do you start? What do you wear? And how on earth do you know how these machines work? Fear not because I am here to tell you the essential tips you will need as you enter the gym for the first time.
Seek expert advice
The first thing you should do when entering any gym is to approach the on hand members of staff. Don’t be embarrassed asking for help, chances are they will know a lot more than you about the equipment and how each machine works, plus that is what they are there for. Also, paying out for a gym induction will pay dividends as the instructors can offer nutritional advice and can demonstrate how each machine works properly.
Wear comfortable clothing
As it is your first time in the gym, you may not know what to wear and what not to wear. The simple answer; comfort is key. Leave the sandals and pumps at home and invest in some high quality running shoes for the treadmill, not only will this make running a lot more comfortable but it will be enjoyable too.
Shorts, light t-shirts or vests are great too as they will feel less restrictive when you are really getting a sweat on. Thick t-shirts or jogging trousers aren’t a bad thing but the flexibility of movement is key and shorts usually work best for this.
Time spent on each machine
This is arguably the most frustrating thing about going to a local gym. Sure, everyone has the right to use the equipment for as long as they want, but hogging the same machine for thirty minutes is just not acceptable. Be respectful to other gym users and try to use the equipment in a steady but polite pace to accommodate everyone’s needs.
Don’t push yourself too early
If it is your first time in the gym, chances are you won’t be able to lift the maximum weight on every machine or run the fastest speed on the treadmill, so don’t even try. Pace yourself and gradually increase your resistance as the weeks go by. Pushing yourself too early can be very dangerous and can have a harmful effect on your health.
Clean up after yourself
Cleaning up after yourself in the gym can be applied to a variety of things. The most important aspect though, hygienically speaking, is wiping the equipment you have just used once you are finished with it. There is nothing worse than going to a machine and finding a pool of sweat on the seat and perspiration dripping from the hand grips.
Wiping your sweat away is one thing, but it is also important to clean up after yourself once you are finished using the weights or other gym accessories. If you have just been skipping or been doing some ball assisted sit ups, remember to put the objects you have used back in their original place. No one likes going into a messy gym and you don’t want to get yourself a reputation as a messy gym user.
David is a big fan of health and fitness and enjoys spending his evenings in his local gym.
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deacysmitth says
Fitness is important for all of us. There are many ways to stay healthy like join gym, exercise, yoga and many more. Here I got useful tips for gym rokie. You have done nice job.