Using that gym membership

pandora205

I was a keen gym user and was going to 4 sessions (mainly classes) per week but it tailed off when I was especially busy at work. I haven't been for six months now but am still paying, as I know I want to go back. So, I need to do it!

Anyone want to join me for moral support?

My first step is to find my stuff and decide when I'm going. I think I'll go for Saturday morning and start with a gentle session in the gym as I'm not fit enough to go straight back to classes.

(I'm very unfit, have put on half a stone and haven't been doing much exercise at all apart from housework and gardening).

Citygirl1

Hi, I am the same, been a member of the gym since last October and haven’t been for the past few months. I feel I am really wasting my money so am thinking of stopping my membership when it runs out. The thing is trying to do exercise without going to the gym and fitting it into my every day life.

pandora205

Well I can't bring myself to cancel as I love going but I've just got out of the habit and I know how hard going back will be. I'm going to give it a go though and go when it's quiet. (It's a bit of a posey gym with lots of smart young things in their designer kit). Saturday is the day!

vixarooni

Ive just started going and i go with a group of girl friends. That keeps the motivation up, because someone will want to go when you dont and vice versa!

SandC

Don't think that you are not fit enough to go straight back to classes. You are!

Most classes, whatever it is you do, are for all levels and therefore the instructor should be giving alternatives for greater or lesser intensity.

If you like doing classes then go straight back to them - gym work won't do it for you.

I used to be so fit and then some 6/7 years ago got bored and what ended up happening was very sporadic gym visits and very gradual weight gain, culminating in a very unfit and unhealthy person. I had to bite the bullet and get back to what I know works for me and that is classes (along with swimming). The cycle of being too scared to go only made things worse - so I just went. And yes it was hard, yes I'm the first one to start sweating and the one with the reddest face but I love it all over again and I am getting there after 4 months hard slog and a slow but steady continuing weight loss.

Half a stone is nothing, don't make excuses, just do it!

pandora205

I know I need to get back to classes but my favourite is Body Pump and it would kill me just now, even with the lightest weights. I'm going to do a few sessions of treadmill, exercise bike, rower etc just to improve my general fitness before I do resistance stuff.

I may try some new classes though I'm not too coordinated for step etc. though they are fun.

And I know half a stone isn't much but it's enough to make me feel not like me! It'll drop off once I start exercising again.

I'm definitely going to go tomorrow morning to get it over with/back into my old pattern. Now where was that kit/membership/lock?

kavics17

Go back to body pump straight away but instead of heavy weights just use the lighter ones. I usually warm up with 5ks on each side (but I'm very fit and it's really the warm up weight only) so why don't you try 1.25 kgs and if it seems alright than go up to 2.5kgs each side. Gradually, week by week, increase it and you'll be ok in no time. How about body balance or body conditioning? Would recommend spinning but even me is dying afterwards. Aerobics might be a bit too much for the first 2 weeks but try yoga and pilates. good luck, I'm back tomorrow as well after missing 5 days (which is too much for me, I get demotivated within 48 hours).

Material_Girl_2

Does your gym have a pool? If yes, then go for a nice relaxing swim first to get you back into the habit of going.

I agree that you should be ok with a body pump class as long as you stick to the lightest weights and take rests if it becomes to much. You'll be back into exercise in no time!

pandora205

Well it's Saturday and I'm going to do it. Just a gentle general session back in the main gym to get used to going, and I'll see how I feel about Pump later in the week. It's busy so I cant just turn up to a class I'd need to book.

I'll think about other classes too. I found Pilates quite hard when I tried before (not very strong in the core) but it would do lots of good. Spinning is definitely out and not me though I've friends who love it!

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

pandora205

I did it! I actually went to the gym and it wasn't so bad. They've moved the equipment around a bit but basically it's the same as ever. Of course I'm not very fit so it was a gentle introduction today and gradually increase it.

sistercas

pandora205 wrote: »

I did it! I actually went to the gym and it wasn't so bad. They've moved the equipment around a bit but basically it's the same as ever. Of course I'm not very fit so it was a gentle introduction today and gradually increase it.

well done Pandora :T youve made the hardest step

i have only been going to the gym for a few months but i really enjoy it , i havent tried any of the classes yet , i stick to the weights and cardio machines and once a week have a swim