Would like to do weights but intimidated by gym...advice?!
Question: I'd like to work out in the weight room on my college campus, but I'm at zero knowledge about weight training and I'm intimidated by the idea of weight training in general since it's entirely new to me.
My boyfriend has offered to work out with me and help me, but that's still an intimidating prospect since he just did the six week Abs Diet and got into shape in...well, six weeks. I'm 5'7" and around 160lb. I've been doing 40-50 min cardio and several hundred crunches (with some variation) daily. I know weight training is a way to have a serious impact on getting in shape and the weight loss that comes with it, but I'm just so intimidated by it.
Advice? Thanks so much.
Answers: I'd like to work out in the weight room on my college campus, but I'm at zero knowledge about weight training and I'm intimidated by the idea of weight training in general since it's entirely new to me.
My boyfriend has offered to work out with me and help me, but that's still an intimidating prospect since he just did the six week Abs Diet and got into shape in...well, six weeks. I'm 5'7" and around 160lb. I've been doing 40-50 min cardio and several hundred crunches (with some variation) daily. I know weight training is a way to have a serious impact on getting in shape and the weight loss that comes with it, but I'm just so intimidated by it.
Advice? Thanks so much.
Most people who know anything about weight-lifting are usually more than happy to aid a person, and yours being a boyfriend would really act as excellent bonding time. The thing is its always awkward when you are around people who've been lifting for years, but after a short period of time you get over it, for the most part. The others are in there to work and therefore don't judge anyone by what they can or can't do, aside from offering some advice when they may notice someone doing something that could ultimately injure them.
I mean I know a lot about lifting, but when someone walks in who obviously has been doing it for longer I initially feel a little weird, but only for a split second. Gym's aren't there for people to be judged, they are there for people to improve themselves, and not everyone is in the same point in there skills. Most gym rats are often glad to see that someone is willing to put forth effort, because once upon a time they were in that same spot.
Find a girl in shape that you want to look like and just ask her what to do. Or you can not say anything and stay the same as you are now.
Yeah...read up on it. The more knowledge you have about the correct philosophies and form of weight lifting, the more comfortable you'll be when performing it. Check out these sites, browse around the topics a little, and if you have any questions about form, try youtubing for a video of it (i.e. you're still not sure how to do squats properly - just type in "perfect form squat" or something like that in the youtube search bar):
www.bodybuilding.com
www.abcbodybuilding.com
www.abcbodybuilding.com/exercise1.htm
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Start at a thrift store or Play it Again Sports and buy some weights. a 10 pound, a 15 pound, and a 20 pound. (One at a time if you don;t want to carry them all in at once! LOL)
If you don't want to spend money, get some water jugs from the store and use those instead. 2 water jugs cost you like $2.00 and you can put as much or as little fluid in them as you can deal with.
After a while, the weight of the water won't be enough, then you can fill it with Play box Sand.
Easy, cheap, and you can adjust the weight to how you feel today!
Also, a stair stepper is great for in a dorm!
Everyone starts some where. I would advise you to look into getting a trainer from your school. Usually, gyms, academic and non-academic alike, provide a few sessions with personal trainers free of charge to get some advice and answer some questions. Look into it but also look on line for techniques and exercises for weight lifting. You can get a good regimen to follow by this.. Good Luck
many gyms have a special women only section. in fact more gyms offer this because the demand is very high. check local newspapers and even the telephone book then go and take a tour of the gym to make sure you feel comfortable.
if your schedule allows try to go to the gym in the off hours when it's not so crowded.