Taking the plunge: Going to the gym

After struggling to keep motivated to exercise at home, I have decided it might be time to just take the plunge and start going to the gym. This all sounds good in theory, but I am extrememly apprehensive about this!

First of all, while I may now be a normal weight, I am not very fit at ALL. My cardio endurance is extremely poor, and always has been.
Second of all, I will be going it alone. None of my friends are into the whole losing weight/getting fit thing, and none of them live locally, anyway (in fact, that is a large reason I am thinking of fronting up to the gym-none of my friends live nearby, and I am hoping to meet a few new people living around the same area).
Thirdly, I am a UNI student, and am quite broke. I don't want to get talked into paying a lot of money and for it to turn into a disaster. I don't mind paying to go to the gym on a regular basis, but simply don't have money to just throw away.

What I am hoping to do is find somewhere that I can just go to by myself on a casual basis, hop on some equiptment, and be left alone...if all goes well, maybe then I will think about signing up for a permenant membership, or perhaps signing up to an actual class.

I have never been to the gym before, so am wondering...is this at all likely? Is it expected in most places that you will sign up for a long-term membership straight away? Will I have trainer people on my case from the moment I walk in the door? Am I crazy to think I won't wind up the butt of everyone elses joke for going to the gym when I'm not in good shape (it seems to me you have to be fit before you can go to the gym!) Is it almost a guarantee that you will get ripped off and screwed over if you walk in not knowing what you are doing?

After typing this all out, I am not even sure what I am really asking. I guess just...does anyone have any tips? Words of encouragement? Anyone currently in the same boat? Anything? :P

I started going to the YMCA on a regular basis about 5 months ago, I was about 30 pounds overweight when I started there.  I was EXTREMELY nervous about it as well.  You know what I saw when I walked in the door...?  About 75% of the people that were there needed to be working out and losing weight.  The people I would consider 'very fit' were only about 25% of the population there that day!  So I felt very comfortable, the people were very nice and I was not bombarded with trainers or anything.  Also, most of the people are there to work out, not real chatty, and totally into their own workout.  They could really care less about who is around them and how hard you are working out.  Most people won't have a clue if you've been on the treadmill for 5 minutes, or 50 minutes... or if you've been running or walking.  So try not to be nervous, you are there for YOUR fitness, they are there for THEIR fitness.  Your all there for the same reason, and even the 'very fit' have to start somewhere!!!

 

Good Luck!!

Okay, first and foremost, make sure you have talked to your doctor to make sure that you are okay to hit the gym.  I know it sounds silly, but the last thing you want is to have a minor issue that flares into a major one when you start working out.

Have you checked out your university offerings?  Most universities have gyms that are either free (you already paid for it in your fees), or have very, very low fees.  And they are usually open pretty good hours.

If you do plan on going to a gym outside your university, try to find one that is not one of the 'popular' gyms.  Some, like Lifetime, are fantastic, but if you aren't there for the six-zillion things they have like the spa, smoothies, and ginormous pools, then it's a big waste of money.  We have a place here called Planet Fitness which is really your pared-down gym, and the atmosphere and staff are really great.  And cheap, like $10 a month if you get a special, with no contract.  The best thing I can say is look for these things:

1.  Clean environment, lots of people making sure things are cleaned down.

2.  The gym has what you want and takes care of their equipment.  My gym actually leases their equipment, so nothing is broken longer than a day.

3.  Good staff with no crazy contracts.  Read EVERYTHING.

4.  The gym is open when you need it to be, and close enough that you'll go.  If going to the gym is a hassle, you'll end up quitting sooner or later.

I walked into a gym over 100 pounds overweight and I'm sure much more out of shape than you, and I'm still going 6 days a week.  I love it!  Gyms with good atmospheres for helping people be their best and healthiest also tend to have friendly people.  You might just find new friends there to help you get to your goals!

You can do it! 

When I stated, I was at 225 and completely unfit.  I joined the YMCA.  I love it!  Not only is it affordable, but there are people there of all types and fitness levels so I didn't feel out of place.  There are professionals there to offer advice if you want it, but they leave you alone if that's what you want.  They also have a lot of classes, water aerobics, belly dancing, yoga, etc, that are free with membership.  If you have  Y near you, go for a tour and check it out!

Go gym shopping! A lot of gyms offer a free week to try out the facilities if you're considering a membership (and sometimes they offer a free hour with a trainer-very helpful if you want it!). I've never heard of trainers or other gym employees forcing themselves down people's necks when they were working out, but I'm sure that depends on the gym. And don't worry about other gym go-ers, you'll soon find out that you get into your own world when working out! The only time I ever pay attention to other people is when they're using the weights I want

 

Oh and cellar door? Donnie Darko much? Great movie :)

Also I'd recommend finding a gym within your normal parts of town... go out of the way gym u might never go!!  I did that once and now at least if I drive by and haven't worked out I feel guilty - if I never drive by then never makes me feel guilty...

definately pick some place that is near where you are going to be anyway.. when I was in college I never went to the gym because I would have to walk 10 minutes up an enormous hill.  Now that I work downtown I pay for a gym that is literally across the street.  So no excuses I go every day that I go to work.  I pay a little bit more but it is well worth it if you use it. 

Check with your university to see if they have anything or maybe they have a way for you to get a discount. I get a discount because of where I work.

I totally agree with Robyneg... tell them you're THINKING about joining.. and want a trial membership... They'll usually give you one.

I just did 7 days free at 24 hr fitness... tried ONE class.. but LOVED jumping on the clean... and really good machines every where.it...  got nutty about it... They had a REALLY cool deal where I only pay $19.99 a month (I can only go MOn-Wed_Fri-Sun)... but I have a workout room in my apt.  and I can workout at home on the other days... so it was quite a good deal.

Also... see if you can "spread out" some of the upfront costs... and tell the places you're a student... that sometimes give you a discount.

I agree with many of the suggestions you've already received, especially the gym shopping suggestion- however, if all that does is stress you out (because you're going to have to figure out a whole new gym's layout every week) I'd suggest calling around for the best deals and inquiring about the personal trainers at the gym. As someone studying to be a trainer I know how beneficial they can be, especially at the beginning of an exercise program.  If you don't want to sign up for a few months, usually bigger gyms (24 hour fitness might have something like this) give you a free session when you sign up for your membership, which should help you ease your way into weight training (making the machines less scary) and the 'how to's' of cardio.

 Hope that helps! GOOD LUCK!