Hello gymrats. I've never stepped foot in a gym, but a 24-hour one just opened up near me and I've decided I'll never kick my beer and chocolate addiction, so I need to find another way to keep the weight off. What's the best way for me to lose some weight, that doesn't involve me making a tit of myself trying to figure out how to use the weight-based machines, or crushing my own neck with an overloaded barbell? Would an hour on an exercise bike twice a week be any use? Are there any other bits of equipment that are more cardio-based than weights, that would burn off the beer flab? I don't want to run because I'm trying to preserve my knees for climbing mountains. And I want to walk into the gym like I know what I'm doing so the regulars don't hound me out like feral dogs so any advice would be gratefully received. Ta.
Also is it good ettiquette to wave and brightly say "Hello meatheads" as I walk in for the first time? Will there be a place to hang my cashmere scarf to keep it safe from the sweat of my fellow keep-fit fans? Is it okay to play my "How To Assert Yourself In A Scary World" casette out loud or should I bring earphones?
gradually build up to lifting heavy on three exercises. Bench, deadlift and squat....3 x a week. take your time. don't listen to advice from people that work there. don't spend time talking...lift and go home. burn the cashmere scarf. give the earphones to the next homeless vagrant you see. finish all workouts in 45 minutes. then go home. oh...never do body building routines. build up to heavy lifts.....over time. oh....be a man.
I can talk all day about working out! But remembering one of my first gym experience, I loaded up too much weight on the bench and dropped the bar on my chest. Everyone saw it. It was super embarrassing but at that moment I decided to adjust the weight, get back on the bench, and keep going with my set. From that point on I've never looked back and I've been a regular gym rat. It has changed my life for the better. But for newbie advice, there's plenty of good instructional videos on YouTube to learn good exercises . Just remember, form is more important than how much weight you push. Workout you're WHOLE body. Bread and butter will be Deadlifts, Squats, Bench and Pullups. Also don't forget your cardio