I want to share 6 things you need to know before you join a gym.
“But Julie, I already go to a gym…”.
Wait, wait, don’t leave. These things can help you too because they are good reminders when things go awry and you start to ease off on your training.
- You don’t have to fit to start. The reason why most people start going to gym is to get fit. Yeah, some of the people who are there are in great shape. But that doesn’t change your WHY. So don’t be intimidated or be afraid of being the only one who looks like you. You ARE the only one like you… and that’s awesome!
- Make sure that there is an on ramp program or sessions with a personal trainer to learn how to use equipment and good form. This is one of the most important questions you should ask when considering a gym. Some gyms offer anywhere from 1 week trials to 3 week on-ramps, to 6 weeks transformation challenges. IMO, the longer the on-ramp program, the more dedicated the trainers are to your safety and to helping you learn good form.
- Let the trainers know about any concerns you have with health, prior injuries, prior fitness experiences. Tell them about your goals and your fears. The more you share with your trainers, the more modifications and adjustments they can make for you. They can also give you accessory work to do to help you reach certain goals.
- Make friends. Accountability buddies can be so helpful in your journey. If you are a person who need external accountability, then making friends at the gym is a must. But here’s the catch: please don’t worry about what the person who’s next to you is doing. No one is judging you and you shouldn’t judge anyone else.
- Make this time a priority. Put it on your calendar. Life gets in the way sometimes. But fitness is so important, not only for your body, but also for your mind. Many people workout three days a week. If that’s you, put those days/times on your calendar and do your best not to cancel. If you coordinate with your accountability buddy (see #4), then you will have some encouragement to show up.
- Know when to take a rest day. Don’t workout everyday. More is almost never better. Your body get stronger during rest periods. If you have a structured plan to workout like MWF or TTHSa, then on your off days, do some active recovery or do nothing at all.
There are so many other things I want to share with you. What are some questions you have about starting or restarting your fitness journey? Let me know.
