Scared TIPS TOthe gym?
of HELP BREAK THE ICE...
HERE ARE A FEW
With summer approaching, the pressure is on to get in
shape before going to the pool. We spend winter curled
up under blankets eating high-calorie comfort foods,
but when the weather gets warmer, clothes tend to get
smaller (Crop tops are back in style again? Ugh.), and
people tend to be more body aware. Time to get back to
the gym, but keep a few things in mind when you start:
by Elyse Johns
1. Meet with a Trainer.
Most gyms offer a free consultation with a personal trainer when you sign up for a membership. Use this to your advantage! They will give you a tour of the location and give you
a short demo workout to get you started. If you can afford it, use these trainers to figure
out your goals and realistic timelines for achieving them.
2. Get a Copy of the Group Exercise Schedule.
…and take as many classes as you can! You might not be down for Zumba (or Bootcamp,
or Pilates, or Cycling), but you might find an instructor that makes the class enjoyable. You
never know what will work for you until you try! Let your instructor know that you are
new, and don’t expect to master a class the first time you take it. Instructors are there to
push you and guide you to have the best workout you can. Don’t worry about the other
participants watching you; they are probably too busy with themselves to judge you.
3. Make Friends!
Introduce yourself to other members. If you make eye contact, say, “Hi.” Your new best
friend might be waiting for you on the treadmill. Okay, maybe the “best friend” might be
taking it a bit too far, but at least you’ll come across as friendly. That way, if you have any
questions, you can always ask the person next to you. Also, it never hurts to have an acquaintance to make small talk with.