I used to belong to a gym years ago and I did enjoy going. However, looking back, I made a lot of mistakes that essentially wasted my time. Overall I think belonging to a gym is a good thing. You're surrounded by other fitness-minded individuals which can be a source of motivation. You have access to a variety of equipment and access to trainers when you have questions. Yet, many gym members may be making these common mistakes.
No Plan of Attack
I'd go to the gym without any type of plan as to what I wanted to work on. This is why I'd get into such a rut doing the same workout every time. My usual workout would consist of running on a treadmill, using another cardio machine, and then possibly using a few weight machines. A lot of people are probably doing the same thing because they have no idea what their goals are. Do you want to build muscle? Lose weight? It helps to know your goals and figure out how to reach them by using the gym.
Using the Gym as the Only Way to Work Out
This is another mistake I'd make. Since I belonged to a gym, I wouldn't workout for days at a time because I knew that whenever I'd get back into the gym, I'd workout then. Only saving your workouts for the gym can actually slow your progress. It's too easy to put off exercise because you're traveling or you simply don't feel like driving to the gym. You don't need a gym to workout. You can exercise at home or in your hotel room, whatever the case may be. Don't use the gym as an excuse to why you can't workout.
Using Every Machine in the Gym
Gym machines are great but you don't need to use every single one of them when you workout. This leads back to not having an actual plan. Once you understand what you're trying to do, you will realize that only certain pieces of equipment are necessary. In fact, you may not even use most of the weight machines. Free weights are plentiful in most gyms and are great for compound exercises. Weight machines are good for people who are beginners and may need help with form. However, I'm a fan of free weights and compound exercises.
You don't need a gym membership to stay fit but if you like going to a gym, then at least use it to your advantage so that you can get good results.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome points Eartha!
Thank you, Alicia
I honestly think that if you’re a complete beginner to weight trainer and commit a lot of these “no plan of attack” / “using every machine” types of mistakes, you should really have one of the instructors at the gym guide you completely until you have everything figured out. It’s their job, after all.
I’ve been to a lot of gyms and I do see, though, that many trainers don’t pay attention to a lot of the people in their gyms. It’s like they only want to train certain people, but not everyone. I honestly believe that if all of your gyms trainers are like that, then you should just quit going there, despite the facilities.
The trainers are there to help you get the best out of the time you spend at the gym, and if you really don’t know where to begin and what to do, then chances are you won’t progress at all.
Most people have no plan of attack or method to the madness. I chose to fill my garage gym with kettlebells and a pull up bar. Don’t really need any more of this and that. I have access 24/7 and it’s only a short walk downstairs. Plus when the weather is warm I can walk outside for some free tanning.
Eric