I'm a 54 year old and joining a gym tomorrow after work....how do I do this? (muscle, lifting weights)
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Hi all:
I ride a bike a couple of times a week around town. I walk around in my classroom a lot. (I'm a 54 year old male high school teacher). But other than those two exercise-y things, that's it for movement and physical activity for me, pretty much for the last half decade.
I am 5'9", 250 lbs, divorced in the past year, and have become a lazy, beer-drinking, bar-food-eating slug. Five years ago I weighed 50 lbs. less (a pound a month....) Enough's enough.
There are two gyms in town....one at the small college in my small town: always packed (cause it's way cheap), lines for machines and free weights, and based more on socializing than exercising in our town. The other one is nice but forgotten, with a small therapy pool, nautilus machines and free weights, and 24/7 access year round via key fob. And virtually empty: everyone in town thinks it's strictly for the hospital and physical therapy so hardly anyone one is a "member". I frankly don't know how they stay in business...it's always empty. I'm joining that one. Time to get it done.
Once upon a time...back in the 90's I was a gym member in another town. Not since then though, and I've never been a "jock" at any point in my life. I'm smart enough to not "push it" and get injured, but what other advice do you all have for "someone like me." Yes, my commitment level right now is a serious one. One thing I've always had is will power, IF I put my mind to it. I finally am at that point.
I join tomorrow at 4 pm. Thoughts and comments and links to sites encouraged. Because I'm pretty much flying blind here. What should my gym days be like? Diet? earbud tunes? time allotted? Etc etc etc etc
Baby steps. Go slow and try different stuff. When you get your free session with a trainer, (most gyms have this) be prepared and tell them what you want to accomplish, stuff you like, stuff you hate. Slowly push yourself.
The most important thing to remember is that diet is 90% of the equation. You can spend an hour working your butt off and burn 400 - 700 calories and then blow it with two beers. Get your diet in order.
Nope.
It's beyond lame for equipment, and the young-guy bro coaches (good guys that they are) and student-athletes monopolize it. I'm joining the gym. Tomorrow. Not a bad idea though on the surface... thanks though.
Awesome- congratulations, and this speaks well of you!
Do what you like. East what you want, although caffeine helps you with cardio. Listen to whatever music you like.
Rowing, elliptical machines and bikes are good for cardio and they don’t mess up joints.
I’d recommend lifting weights at least a bit and each time you’re at the gym, spend 5 minutes on a bike, alternating in 20-second intervals between pedaling as fast as you can and just pedaling normally. That will quickly increase your cardio fitness.
If you see the same regulars each time, just say hello to them and if they want to talk more they willZ
Baby steps. Go slow and try different stuff. When you get your free session with a trainer, (most gyms have this) be prepared and tell them what you want to accomplish, stuff you like, stuff you hate. Slowly push yourself.
The most important thing to remember is that diet is 90% of the equation. You can spend an hour working your butt off and burn 400 - 700 calories and then blow it with two beers. Get your diet in order.
I join tomorrow at 4 pm. Thoughts and comments and links to sites encouraged. Because I'm pretty much flying blind here. What should my gym days be like? Diet? earbud tunes? time allotted? Etc etc etc etc
thanks all....
At this stage, the hardest work is mental.
It's good that you have willpower. Just keep a goal in mind, and focus on that. At the gym, you are your only competition. You may be surprised that you cannot do things you used to be able to do the last time you were at a gym. That's ok.
I agree with baby steps. You just want to look at it as a new habit you are incorporating into your schedule.
Start slow. I thought 41 would be a great time to take up ice skating (and it was), but I pulled a tendon on the bottom of my foot and it was hell healing that damn thing. If they have trainers there, you could spend a little to have a session or two and ask them about how/where to begin and diet, too.
Otherwise, enjoy the feeling of doing something physical again for itself. You're less likely to quit. Think of it as your "me" time.
It's great that you're starting now because it only get's harder to begin in your 60's! Start slowly to avoid injury and getting discouraged. Remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so don't be surprised if you begin to loose size before it shows much or even at all on the scale. Good luck, and let us know you're doing!!
Hi all:
I ride a bike a couple of times a week around town. I walk around in my classroom a lot. (I'm a 54 year old male high school teacher). But other than those two exercise-y things, that's it for movement and physical activity for me, pretty much for the last half decade.
I am 5'9", 250 lbs, divorced in the past year, and have become a lazy, beer-drinking, bar-food-eating slug. Five years ago I weighed 50 lbs. less (a pound a month....) Enough's enough.
There are two gyms in town....one at the small college in my small town: always packed (cause it's way cheap), lines for machines and free weights, and based more on socializing than exercising in our town. The other one is nice but forgotten, with a small therapy pool, nautilus machines and free weights, and 24/7 access year round via key fob. And virtually empty: everyone in town thinks it's strictly for the hospital and physical therapy so hardly anyone one is a "member". I frankly don't know how they stay in business...it's always empty. I'm joining that one. Time to get it done.
Once upon a time...back in the 90's I was a gym member in another town. Not since then though, and I've never been a "jock" at any point in my life. I'm smart enough to not "push it" and get injured, but what other advice do you all have for "someone like me." Yes, my commitment level right now is a serious one. One thing I've always had is will power, IF I put my mind to it. I finally am at that point.
I join tomorrow at 4 pm. Thoughts and comments and links to sites encouraged. Because I'm pretty much flying blind here. What should my gym days be like? Diet? earbud tunes? time allotted? Etc etc etc etc
thanks all....
I've just got one recommendation.. Whatever you do.. Do not pay up front. If they make you sign a contract.. Pay by the month. Because if they go under and close up, and you've paid up front, you're last in line to get your money back.
If they make you sing a contract, find out what happens if they close. Generally, in this situation, you can contest it through your credit card, but..
Gyms shutting down overnight is a big problem, and lots of people lose alot of money when it happens. Don't put yourself in that position.
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