So I have kicked around the idea of joining a gym for a couple years now. Finally did so today. I have not lifted since I was a senior in high school, I am now the ripe old age of 32. Basically I am looking for some advice or pointers etc... Little info about me, as I said already I just turned 32 years old. I am 6' tall about 165 pounds. I would say I am in pretty good shape, low body fat etc. All the vitals and such are all on point as well. It has just been 14 years since I was in a weight room and to be honest, didn't even recognize 3/4's of the equipment on the tour at the gym today. This is a very large gym with a huge amount of equipment. I don't know where to start.... This is where your help comes in useful!
First thing you have to do is create your goals. Why are you doing this and what do you want to get from it? Is it weight loss, muscle mass, fat loss, etc.... After that then you can start working on a workout routine to achieve those goals!
If you are just doing it to do it then it becomes very easy for you to slack and a day or two off can easily become a week or more without that focus!
The best way to approach this is ask one of the trainers at the gym. They can show you first hand in person on the actual machines/benches you will be using and help set up a schedule for you..they can often even help ya meet others with similar goals for a workout partner.
Weight and or fat loss is not my intentions. I wouldn't say muscle mass is a main reason either, but rather a bonus. I feel healthy, although I see room for improvement. I would say my main reasons are to be and stay healthy, increase stamina and energy level. (not that my energy level is low). I am getting older man... Although I feel no drop off from when I was younger, I want to keep it that way.
I did speak with one of them today, he said he had some papers at home I could look at. I believe they want paid for their expertise, as they are certified trainers. Lessons are $45 per hour... I dont need someone to push me to motivate me or give me atta boys, I just need a routine to follow. The guy was really nice, but quite obvious very busy.
West side for skinny bast*rds...good starting workout routine. If you think you're healthy and in shape now, wait until you give yourself some time in the gym. You will feel a million times better.
You don't get enough exercise at work ??? Bout all I can tell you about a gym... the boss says the real good looking gals show up about 7 AM when he was going to one this winter. I really didn't pay attention to anything else he said when he started talking about his routine he did. Tim
Scott, Shoot me a PM, I would be glad to set up some great exercises for Arms, Chest, Back, Shoulders and Legs
Ha! My job is why I consider myself in pretty good shape Honestly, I weight probably 20 pounds less than I did when I graduated. We lifted year around for football and track. Here I am 14 years later and 20 pounds less.
If you are just looking to be in better shape, I would recommend more of a Crossfit style work out. Mixing cardio with weight training. Stay away from the heavy weights. Keep your heart rate up. Concentrate on exercises that target multiple muscle groups. Plyometrics, calisthenics, etc. Hit up Youtube for some exercises if you need. Look up Crossfit, Spartacus, Insanity, etc as workouts that follow the type exercises that I have mentioned.
you suck !!! I was 6' 1" and 185 when I graduated high school with no fat. I was skinny until I met my wife and her cooking. Now days I am happy if I am closer to 240 then 250. In my next life I am going to marry a gal who can't cook !!!!! Tim
I have to say, it is overwhelming searching all of these different programs. On top of that, once I research them.... I don't even know what most of the exercises / lifts that they are talking about are!
Yeah I agree with hooker...but if you are going to do the gym thing, low weight high reps. Good luck.
Basically at 50 years of age, I've found the gym as a great stress reliever and a way to meet new people. One of my workout buddies and a constant antagonistic is 98 years old. Although he can't lift the weight as I. Seeing him working out is a great inspiration. Now what are your basic goals? Maximize your time in the gym. And above all check your ego at the door. What I mean by that don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Do only what you can handle and go from there. If you try do something beyond your capabilities you could hurt yourself or loose interest. Remember Gym memberships nation wide is a $80 Billion Dollar industry. So make your money count for something. Now if you are trying to increase your biceps. There's a Book by Men's Health called "8 Essential Exercises to Bigger Arms". The information in that book is great. Now you can go out and buy every Muscle magazine that come out monthly. But you will also find out they repeat themselves bi-monthly. And you will also find them as a great advertisement, regular commercials on pages. Whatever you strive for just don't quit don't make excuses and tear it up! By the way what gym did you join? Gold's or the new one springing up around the country "Anytime Fitness" With Anytime Fitness it's open 24 hours a day at $38.00 month it's great! I can get in in the morning and when I get off work near midnight and there are fewer people there at night than day. Good Luck!
When I started lifting in 2003 I was in very poor health, my kidneys, were failing, low body weight, a host of physical medical conditions that put me on a borderline of near death. While out walking a guy in the mall gave me a 3 day pass to the YMCA. After my last doctors visit then, re-found the card looking for something else. After remembering my last meal was a Honey Bun and a Mountain Dew from over a week. I said enough is enough. I grew tired of doctors advice and went to the gym and I've never looked back. My condition wasn't depression when it came to find out one of the damn pills they had given me was giving me an allergic reaction so they kept prescribing more medication to counteract the conditions the other was making me have. When I went to the gym people laughed at my size lifting weights. But I kept at it, I heard jokes like I was skinny as an Ethiopian about to choke on a grain of rice. After 6 months in the Gym that same jokester challenged me to arm wrestling. I told him "I have no Ego to bruise". So he pushed me I grabbed him and sat him on top of our work bench. Problem solved. Currently my weight is 204 at 5'8 in 2003 my weight was 145. My max bench press since surgery is 280lbs...I it's about living. So for any of you reading this put down the remote and get going. Far as buying gym equipment for in home use the average person use that stuff to hang clothes on. $80 Billion dollars.
