Joining a gym? Options

[cnelson]

So now that I'm back down at school I think i'm going to join a Gold's Gym thats not very far from me.. I'd really like to start to get in shape for the summer time and such. Except I've never belonged to a gym and have no idea what to expect and everything. I mainly want to start running and doing free weights. I'm already on a diet, and I'm not over weight but I'm not exactly where I want to be either.. Anyways, my main concern for not joining is that I'm going to look stupid since I've never been to a real gym before. I know this may seem like a silly reason to not join but it is a reason I'm struggling with. Anyone that belongs to gym got some insight on what goes on? Thanks, -Chris.

[cnelson]

Thanks for the input, I'm going to try to get my roommate to join with me.. We both have the same class schedule so it'll be easy to find times to go together.


Also, does anyone have any good training exercises to work abs? I know theres tons of different things for them.. However I'll mainly be focusing on cardio because i'd like to drop 15 pounds by April.

This post has been edited by cnelson: Jan 9, 2009 - 6:11 PM

[MercuryFree]

Thanks for the input, I'm going to try to get my roommate to join with me.. We both have the same class schedule so it'll be easy to find times to go together.


Also, does anyone have any good training exercises to work abs? I know theres tons of different things for them.. However I'll mainly be focusing on cardio because i'd like to drop 15 pounds by April.

Yeah, you do feel like a bit of a dick at first, but that passes . I also gym with a friend which helps a lot. Sets of 20 crunches are good for abs, although the problem with abs is that you have to burn lots of fat off your stomach before they'll actually show up, so be prepared to do a decent amount of cardio .

Men's Health (both the magazine and the website) has some good tips as to workouts and diet as well as general guy stuff, I've found.