Discussion
Bit of background.
I'm 55 and trying to get a bit healthier and fitter after 8 months of health problems, surgery and lack of mobility.
Recently started running (more jogging) using C25K. I'm now doing 5K three time a week at a slowish pace (gone from just over 34 mins to 31 minutes. The plan is to keep at this and hopefully get below 30 minutes.
I'm now thinking I may supplement this by joining the local gym - some swimming and strength building. I'll probably keep the running for outside rather than treadmill. Doctor is OK with this as long as I don't push it.
I've never been to a gym and it all seems pretty daunting. I have no clue how any of the equipment works.
I get that when you join someone shows you around the equipment. Do they normally do this assuming you have zero knowledge of what the machines do? Are you expected to remember all the information about all the machines or is there generally an employee present for when you first use a piece of kit. Is everything usable by one person or do you need to be in a pair to, say, use the weights.? (How do I even know what weights to start at? ) Will the person showing me around provide any programs or do I work this out myself.? I'm not a powerfully built company director so will be starting everything at pretty low settings.
I assume some of these things vary by gym but would be good to get a feel for what is the norm. The local gym is a Q hotel gym for what it's worth.
I'm 55 and trying to get a bit healthier and fitter after 8 months of health problems, surgery and lack of mobility.
Recently started running (more jogging) using C25K. I'm now doing 5K three time a week at a slowish pace (gone from just over 34 mins to 31 minutes. The plan is to keep at this and hopefully get below 30 minutes.
I'm now thinking I may supplement this by joining the local gym - some swimming and strength building. I'll probably keep the running for outside rather than treadmill. Doctor is OK with this as long as I don't push it.
I've never been to a gym and it all seems pretty daunting. I have no clue how any of the equipment works.
I get that when you join someone shows you around the equipment. Do they normally do this assuming you have zero knowledge of what the machines do? Are you expected to remember all the information about all the machines or is there generally an employee present for when you first use a piece of kit. Is everything usable by one person or do you need to be in a pair to, say, use the weights.? (How do I even know what weights to start at? ) Will the person showing me around provide any programs or do I work this out myself.? I'm not a powerfully built company director so will be starting everything at pretty low settings.
I assume some of these things vary by gym but would be good to get a feel for what is the norm. The local gym is a Q hotel gym for what it's worth.
Yes you normally get a tedious induction but they'll go through all the equipment with you.
You could just think about doing some bodyweight exercises at home on your non 5k days and save yourself the cash!
Push ups and push up variations, bodyweight squats and lunges can be a great, add in a door frame pull up bar and you've got a lot covered...
I also use a resistance band when i travel for compact gym.
You could just think about doing some bodyweight exercises at home on your non 5k days and save yourself the cash!
Push ups and push up variations, bodyweight squats and lunges can be a great, add in a door frame pull up bar and you've got a lot covered...
I also use a resistance band when i travel for compact gym.
The inductions will be pitched to your level of knowledge.
They won't give you a program.
The equipment should all be manageable on your own, but you might need to video your self or use the mirrors to make sure you're getting the form right. It's surprising how different things can look and feel.
I'd recommend you look at one of the handful of progressive strength programs like Starting Strength or Stronglifts - I did Stronglifts for a while and liked it. The app is also excellent so you don't have to think about it much - gyms can be quite intimidating so going in with a clear plan of what you're going to do in the beginning is quite useful.
They won't give you a program.
The equipment should all be manageable on your own, but you might need to video your self or use the mirrors to make sure you're getting the form right. It's surprising how different things can look and feel.
I'd recommend you look at one of the handful of progressive strength programs like Starting Strength or Stronglifts - I did Stronglifts for a while and liked it. The app is also excellent so you don't have to think about it much - gyms can be quite intimidating so going in with a clear plan of what you're going to do in the beginning is quite useful.
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