Happy New Year! I am thrilled to be starting a new year and hope you are, too.  Many of you have taken on the challenge of making healthier choices for your life. That’s great, and you should be proud of yourselves! If you have joined a gym as part of your plan, this article may help you prepare for your first trip to your new paradise (ok, that may be stretching it, but I hope you develop an affinity for it at some point!)

Joining a gym is a great first step, but the second step, going,

can be even more intimidating! I’d like to share a few suggestions that may help you ease into this new routine.

1. Invite a friend to go with you. Maybe you joined the gym because you know others who have memberships, or maybe your membership allows guests. In any case, invite someone to go with you. Depending on the gym and the orientation they offer, you will likely have unanswered questions or a lack of familiarity with some of the equipment. Most of us feel more confident if we aren’t alone in navigating something new.

2. Seek out the help of the personal trainer. Many gyms have someone on staff that is certified in physical fitness, such as a personal trainer or a class instructor. These folks are there to help you and are very likely just waiting for you to ask! If you discover that the gym doesn’t offer this service, contact me!  Also, keep in mind, there are many resources, especially online, to help you. There are many websites and mobile phone apps that are surprisingly helpful. (add link to the apps article) You might also be fortunate enough to find a fellow gym member who is willing to help. You’ve already done the two hardest things, joining and showing up, now just push yourself a little more and introduce yourself to someone who seems to know how to use the equipment. It will help you, and it will probably make them feel good, too- most of us like the opportunity to be helpful!

3. Explore! Walk around the gym examine the equipment, check out all of the amenities, classes, refreshments, and retail products.

Working out is easier with a friend!

4. Wear comfortable clothing! This may seem like a no-brainer, but my point encompasses more than the physical comfort of allowing you to move freely,  and support or cover all the appropriate areas. If you are a bit self -conscious about an area, cover it. If it is important to you to look attractive, even when you are working out, then go buy new workout apparel. Let’s be honest, many of us have to overcome the hurdle of working out in public, so do what you need to do to make it work for you.

5. Sign up for a class or an appointment with the trainer. Keep your momentum going- sign up for something the very first day and seal your commitment!

6. Time. Make sure you give yourself ample amount of time on your first visit. As you can see from the previous suggestions, you want to do everything you can to eliminate stress from the experience. Your schedule may not allow you to spend two hours at the gym every day, but make sure your first visit affords time to explore the environment, try out the equipment, talk to the staff, ask questions and observe.

The main thing to remember is that you are not alone-every new gym member has gone through the same experience, whether they will admit it or not.

As your best fitness friend, I am here to for you and would love to help you on your first trip to the gym.  Contact me to schedule a time!