Welcome back to this week’s edition of 2-Minute Tuesdays where we are talking about one exercise topic for two minutes and giving you three reasons why you should follow our advice. Now this week, we are talking to those of you who are at a new gym. How do you navigate the landscape and layout of a new gym? How can you make sure you are able to still get a good workout in despite not being super familiar with your surroundings?
1) Start With What You Are Familiar With
Tip number one – start with the things you are familiar with. Chances are you’ve seen a treadmill before. Or maybe there are a few machines you can pick out from the floor that you’ve been on before. Start with those things that you know to help you get your bearings.
Action Step: When you first walk in, take a lap around the entire gym to get a feel for where everything is. Identify the machines you are familiar with and start by using those first.
Related: Are you a first-time exerciser? Read this.
2) Allow Extra Time To Learn How To Use Machines
Tip number two – allow yourself a little bit of extra time when you get to the gym to play around on the machines, learn how they work, and figure out what feels good for your body while using them. Make sure to take the time to do this before you do a challenging or heavy set. Plan on giving yourself an extra 10 to 30 minutes to figure all of this out when you arrive to make sure you stay safe during your workout.
Action Step: Give yourself a bigger time window than you normally allow for when you go to workout so you can learn the ins and outs of the new gym. Taking time upfront to learn where the machines are and how to use them will not only make your workout more efficient, it will also help to keep you safe.
Related: Want to exercise more consistently? We’ve got you covered.
3) Don’t Be Scared To Ask For Help
Tip number three – don’t be scared to ask for help. There are many people who work at the gym and are there to help you. Whether it is showing you how to use the machines or where the different pieces of equipment are, make sure you are using the professionals on staff.
Action Step: Many gyms will offer tours by a fitness manager or floor manager to help members learn how to use the equipment. Take advantage of this service to make sure you understand how to use all of the equipment prior to beginning your workout.