Top Ten Tips - Joining A Gym
By Tip Diva | Apr 18, 2008
Categories: Activities, Adult, Behavior, Budget, Drinks, Exercise, Health, Personal Hygiene, Safety, Support, Tips, Weight
So, you’ve finally decided to join a gym. But where do you start?
- Determine What You Want - Think about what you want to get out of a gym. Do you want machines? Do you want a pool? What hours can you go? How much are you willing to pay? Write down these criteria to help narrow down gym choices.
- Know Your Comfort Level - You may not necessarily want to be with pro athletes or members of the opposite sex, for instance. Visit a gym to see if you feel comfortable. Many offer trial memberships before you have to pay.
- Bring Your Own Lock, Towel And Water - Many gyms have lockers where you can keep your personal items, but you have to bring your own lock. Also bring your own towel for the machines and for showering, as well as bottled water. Some places sell water, but it’s cheaper to bring your own bottle.
- Wear The Right Shoes - You can’t exercise in flip-flops. Make sure you wear sturdy, supportive sneakers, with laces that don’t untie easily.
- Warm Up - Before you start exercising, remember to warm up by stretching and running in place. Many gyms have charts showing good warm-up exercises, or ask one of the gym’s trained employees.
- Ask Someone To Show You The Machines - Many of the exercise machines can look like silly contraptions, but don’t try figuring them out for yourself. Ask one of the employees to show you how to correctly use the machine so you don’t hurt yourself.
- Create A Chart - You shouldn’t work the same muscle groups every single day, so make a chart so you remember which machines to use.
- Start Off Gradually - Don’t expect to be lifting 100 lbs. on your first day. Start off small and build up from there. If you feel any pain whatsoever, stop.
- Take Breaks And Stay Hydrated - Make sure you take a breather in between machines, exercises and repetitions. And drink plenty of water.
- Cool Down - Cooling down helps prevent injuries to your muscles by relaxing them. Jogging in place or stretching helps, and like warm ups, many gyms have charts to show you the best exercise.
Other Tips To Check Out:
