STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

how did you learn to exercise?

Escrime · Kate Spade

I get ideas from magazines or websites, like Shape or Fitness.

There should also be a floor trainer at your gym who is there to help answer questions about how to use equipment.

Does your gym offer a free personal trainer consultation? They can help you put together a program.

-- Edited by Escrime at 11:38, 2006-01-06

blubirde · Chanel

When I first joined the gym, I got a trainer for 3 sessions. I think I skipped the last session but it was good to learn the layout of the gym, where everything is, what everything does, and what muscles it works.

Other than that, I usually scope out new machines or areas while I'm on the treadmill or elipitcal machine and watch other people do it. Sometimes I'll do this for a week before I have enough nerve to try it myself. Then I read all the signs on the machine (lame, I know) and try to do it the best I can. If I don't like it, I find some free weight exercise that will work the same muscles (more effective anyway).

jen · Kate Spade

My ex played football at his college so he taught me to lift weights and how to do cardio correctly. Since then I've soaked up all the info I can on exercise-it really is the most interesting subject to me (aside from shopping). oxygenmag.net forum is an amazing site for info. Oxygen mag is fantastic. Shape and Fitness are okay but they sometimes have info in their mag that isn't true or isn't 100% effective. Women's Health mag is the most accurate. Some personal trainers know their stuff but I'd say 80% do not, it's just a matter of finding one who is actually good.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i started using our bike in the basement after school when i would watch trading spaces or saved by the bell with my little sister. then i got bored, and decided i wanted to get a gym membership. i went to a new ymca (it was nice because it wasn't the "cool" gym, so i wasn't intimidated as a beginner). i met with a trainer, skipped out on the body fat assessment (as a teenage girl i didn't need/want to know), and had him show me how to use all the machines, like what setting i was, and what a good weight to start with. just a note, i WOULD NOT go for this training during a busy time. i was super embarassed because i went at 6pm (a busy time) and i felt like everyone was staring. i would go in the morning or at an "off peak" time.

after that i did the routine he gave me. elliptical, machine weights, stationary bike (10 minute cool down). i gradually added different machines, but basically for a good year did the beginner machines and i noticed muscle tone improvement.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

hmmm...thats what I figured.

I am a member of Bally's but had my training sessions like 3 years ago in a different gym that had different machines than the one near me now. And the cardio equipt. is located in a different room from the weights so I can't watch that way like Bluebirde suggested.

We also have a gym in our apt. building but there's no trainer or any sort of staff there to help. I don't think I can afford to pay for training session either- any idea how much that would cost?

blubirde · Chanel

ILoveChoo wrote:

hmmm...thats what I figured. I am a member of Bally's but had my training sessions like 3 years ago in a different gym that had different machines than the one near me now. And the cardio equipt. is located in a different room from the weights so I can't watch that way like Bluebirde suggested. We also have a gym in our apt. building but there's no trainer or any sort of staff there to help. I don't think I can afford to pay for training session either- any idea how much that would cost?

Well, if you can't afford a training session (sometimes they're pricey), I suggest going in an off-peak time, like shopgirl suggested, and just plain 'ole trying out the machines. Most machines are in a line or section that works all of the upper body/lower body. Just move from machine to machine, keep an eye out for others using the same machines and see how they're doing it, read the little diagrams, and go for it. If all else fails, ask a trainer walking around if you're doing it right.

Right now might be a good time because there are tons of NY resolution makers out there looking like idiots in the gym. There's no way you can be as dumb as them!

member · Hermes

ILoveChoo wrote:

hmmm...thats what I figured. I am a member of Bally's but had my training sessions like 3 years ago in a different gym that had different machines than the one near me now. And the cardio equipt. is located in a different room from the weights so I can't watch that way like Bluebirde suggested. We also have a gym in our apt. building but there's no trainer or any sort of staff there to help. I don't think I can afford to pay for training session either- any idea how much that would cost?

I'm lucky enough to have a boyfriend that's a personal trainer. I never really knew anything until he became one and taught me everything.

As far as what they charge, it all depends - depends where they work, their experience level, etc. You should check into a few different trainers and see what they charge per hour.

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

I used to subscribe to fitness mags, but every month there was a different article contradicting the previous one and I got confused.

Now I stop by the local Magazine Store right before the Summer and buy Muscle & Fitness Hers Special. They compile all of their *relavant* articles from previous issues. And its much more cheaper than paying for a full year. The one I carry now is called Muscle & Fitness Hers Special: Exercise, Lifestyle, Nutrition (Summer 2005). I really like it because it's to the point, tells me how to exercise, what exercises to do, how to do them, how many to do & the intensity I should add every week and it tells me what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, & how to cook healthy meals.

These are the article titles of most of the magazine that are really helpful:

Total Body Exercise Guide - easy to follow tips and pointers that cover all major muscle groups.

Strong Foundation - When do U start when U haven't been to the gym in a while or at all? Beginners Workout . . .

Get Lean In 5 Weeks - Step by Step Eating Plan

5 Week Cardio Plan - Begins w/Short, low intensity activities & increases gradually ea. wk.

Accelerated Gains - High-Octane Workout plan

12 Week Makeover Plan - Includes weight workouts, cardio routines & diet planning . . .

Build a Better Workout Routine - How do you put 2gether a workout routine that works? here's help . . .

Fitness Fare - Tired of diet meals & fast foods? Develop the habbit of cooking at home . . .

I can make copies of some if you like & mail 'em to you if you think they'll help you.

Escrime · Kate Spade

Some trainers also do 30 minute sessions that are a lot cheaper. Or how about doing a tandem session with a friend? You guys would split the cost, and it's pretty cheap that way.

jlear · Kenneth Cole

My ex was a certified trainer so that's how I learned-

I personally love to pick up an Oxygen or a Muscle and Fitness Hers once in a while for inspiration. Lots of really good workouts and meal plans. I think these two mags have the most useful information and not too much filler crap that most of the excerise magazine have.

I will also pick up hardcore mens fitness magazines- they have awesome info on stacking/timing and such. The men are scary to look at though. hehehe

Lilykind · Hermes

I'm slowly learning how to use everything now. When the gym opened, I had a personal training session that was heavily weights-based. I also have a friend come with me to the gym and we spot each other on the weights and all.

Alikat · Kate Spade

My best friend in college was an exercise science major - she taught me a lot. The rest I've learned through fitness articles and shape.com boards for the most part. That website is very informative.

Sandy · Kate Spade

My boyfriend was all about playing football and lifting wieights in high school. He knows all about how to work your different muscles for maximum effect, which vitamins/supplements work or are bad for you/a bunch of BS, and all that stuff. He wanted to be a physical therapist or team sports therapist, but ultimately decided to do something else. When I recently decided to start exercising, he helped me.

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

Get a trainer girl! Even if it's just one session. I guarantee it will help you tremendously!

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

I learned because I was an athlete in High School.

I absolutely recommend getting a trainer. You can ask if they will just do an orientation with you, which maybe free. At my gym it only costs about $45 for an hour of personal training, which I think may be kind of low, but if you are really serious about working out and getting in shape, its worth the money. If you think about it, if you are using the equipment improperly you are just wasting the money you spend for the membership because you are getting no benefit.