Going to the gym for the first time can be intimidating. Everyone else seems to know what they’re doing, and hiring a trainer to show you the ropes can be expensive. To find out if the gym is really the place for you, why not check out your apartment complex fitness center?
Apartment gyms are convenient, free, and usually less crowded than commercial gyms. Using the workout room might even have been something you looked forward to when moving to an apartment. Even if it’s your first time, a few simple guidelines will help you fit right in.
Gearing up
You don’t need expensive accessories for your workout. Leave the multi-colored spandex to body builders and super heroes – you want loose fitting, comfortable clothing. Long pants are preferred. They keep the heat in once your muscles are warmed up and prevent the gym equipment from getting slippery with sweat.
Other than comfortable sweats and sneakers, you just need a bottle of drinking water and a towel or two. A small hand towel to wipe off your forehead is optional, but a larger bath towel to wipe down equipment is a necessity. An energetic workout mix for your mp3 player is a good bonus.
Knowing the rules
Be sure to check out the gym usage rules, usually posted near the entrance. Working hard and sticking with it are good fitness guidelines, but when it comes to gym etiquette, just remember two things:
1. Wipe down the machine when you’re done. Remember that big towel you brought? It is both good hygiene and good gym safety to wipe your sweat off a machine’s surfaces each time you finish using it.
2. Don’t hog the equipment. You can use any machine for as long as you want, but if there are others waiting, it is considered bad form to take your water break sitting on the machine. Instead, towel it off and move on.
Knowing the equipment
Exercise equipment can look scary at first, but don’t be intimidated. There are just a few basic types of machines, and a balanced workout will involve a combination of all of them.
Cardio machines and combo machines are some of the most popular equipment in gyms today. Traditional cardio machines such as the treadmill or stationary bicycle are designed to raise the heart rate and burn maximum calories with the lowest impact.
Combo machines such as the Stairmaster and elliptical combine heart pumping cardio work with moderate weight resistance to create an all-over workout, like hiking up a mountain. Look for programming instructions on each machine to create a circuit of resistance that matches your goals.
Pumping iron
Weight machines are the key to building muscle. Each machine or station will offer a bar or handles with an adjustable weight designed to work a particular muscle group. Some gyms feature a variety of single-use machines, while smaller workout rooms may have one multi-station machine such as a Nautilus. Look for instructions posted near each station to be sure you get the maximum benefit of using that machine.
Some muscle groups are difficult to isolate with machines, such as the abdominal muscles or ‘six pack’ stomach. Many workout rooms offer inclined boards for sit-ups with extra gravity resistance, along with mats for floor exercises and stretching.
Free weights allow a greater range of motion, and dip bars and chin-up bars allow you to use your body’s weight for resistance. It may take a while to try everything, but there’s no hurry – the gym isn’t going anywhere!
Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or just feel healthier, taking advantage of your apartment complex gym is a great way to live healthy while saving money.
Related Posts
- Shake Up Your Workout Routine
- No More Excuses: 4 Reasons to Get that Gym Membership
- 9 Diet And Exercise Myths Dispelled
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?