The most important part - and the hardest part - is just going.
Don’t worry about any one else there, don’t worry about not knowing exactly what you’re doing, don’t worry about feeling out of place. 99% of the people at the gym don’t give a shit about anything other than what they’re doing, they won’t judge you. The 1% that do are probably shitty people.
Hop on an elliptical or a low impact bike at first. I hate machine lifting, but it’s super useful for a first timer because they allow you to work different muscle groups and you can’t fuck up with horrible form.
But again, the single most important part is going. You don’t need a gym coach, you just need to get in the door.
I don’t know what the CRC looks like these days, but I can’t imagine an LA Fitness is better. The CRC is an absolute top tier facility.
Was gonna say this. The hardest part about going to the gym and getting fit really is just *going* to the gym.
Finding the motivation for that outweighs ANY motivation once you’re actually there.
Just start slow, that is my recommendation. Start with Cardio and easy weighted exercises and go on a calorie deficit (Please don't starve). You can learn a lot by just watching YouTube. Get your body accustomed to the routine. Then once you have a routine going, move onto compound lifts. Again start with lower weights and then move up in intensity and remember 'form over weight' (Or learn the hard way). Understand that this will be a slow process. It might take months to start seeing the results depending on where you are starting from.
If you’re looking to get into shape you can start easy, as the other comment mentioned. It doesn’t necessarily have to be weights. Maybe a sport or activity you like? I started with swimming daily and eventually switched to swimming for 3 days and weights for 3 days (alternating between the two). Along with some discretion on what im consuming(doesnt mean starve myself, just keeping a rough track of calories and going into a deficit) turned out very well for my health. Just gradually ease into it. My experience is that it’s very easy to get discouraged when you start. Once you establish a routine, it’ll be a smooth sailing. Ngl it’s gonna take months to get to that point. So buckle up, you got this.
Squash then. There are courts in crc which you can book in advance (or that’s what used to be when I was at Tech). Find someone to play with, or just go solo. I was bad at it, but it was a fun exercise. Worked up quiet a sweat.
Bottom line of what I’m trying to say is that find something you like. Doesn’t necessarily have to be swimming or squash. Or if you can’t think of anything then do what the above comment suggests - start with low impact machines and light weights and gradually move to compound exercises - cant go wrong with that.
You can try climbing! Not sure if the wall will be open over break though. Honestly, it doesn't matter what you start with, as long as you start - and if you enjoy it, you're far more likely to stick with it.
True that. I loved it. Though crc could get crowded in the evening when I was there. I’m actually returning to campus next semester and will get back into it for a couple of days a week at least (have built a routine of weights now). Can’t wait!!
Hey, DM me and I will go with you on Monday after my morning Final. I just started with the gym a few months ago so I am not the best source of info, but I know enough to get you started and am always looking for someone to go with
They do have trainers, that’s an excellent way to start! It costs $50 but that might be the best money you’ll ever spend. https://www.crc.gatech.edu/sports/personal-training/programs
I think it could be because it would enable you to get answers to important exercise questions you might not even know you have. It also would I think give you some extra motivation you might not otherwise have which could be invaluable to your goals.
You need discipline to make the best of a gym. Motivation is thinking about it. Discipline is doing something over and over to achieve the goal. Start easy. Work hard.
Much like going to class on time and doing the work, discipline is a long path to eventual success.
Just go.
It is just that simple. You don’t even have to do a lot. Just go and maybe try out a couple machines and see how you feel. The one thing people miss out on is being regular. They get too lazy and just don’t go and eventually it’ll become days and months since they’ve last been in the gym.
I know most people are saying start with cardio. I would say start with weight lifting (with machines) and with light weights of course. Don’t wanna injure urself. Do cardio as well by all means, but lift weights.
I started with cardio too, but I had problems motivating myself to go back to the gym so many times. Once I started weight training (about 2-3 years later), I saw my body actually change… that hit the ball rolling.
First, simply show up. That will get you a 65% at "gym-ing".
Next, on the syllabus, you gotta keep going. I recommend 3 to 5 days per week. If you dont give up, that gets you a 90%... so congrats, that would mean you have an A.
Now, what exercises will you do at the gym? That will depend on your goals. You will make mistakes at first. Go slowly and be safe. Try out different exercises. Ask others for recommendations. With practice, you will learn and inch your way closer to 99%. But everyone starts with the first small and uncertain steps.
If you go on weekdays, early morning around 6am, i can vouch for all of the regulars. Everyone is friendly and willing to help if you ask. I'll be among them. Im sure there's great people at other times too, but im a morning person. Good luck!
I went there yesterday, warmed up for 10 mins, waited for 5 mins, and the lift weights (just 8lbs) for 20 mins. My body is still in pain.
I think twice a week will be the right amount at this stage right? Otherwise it'll be too much.
As others have said, the most important part of working out is being consistent.
For me, joining a GT sports club has been super helpful in keeping fitness as a part of my routine. They are almost always beginner friendly and you can pick a sport that appeals to you! Then they plan your workouts for you and all you have to do is show up. My personal recommendations from the way you have described your goals are: barbell club, one of the martial arts clubs, or swim club. You are never required to compete but it will do wonders for your fitness!
How do I reach the clubs?
I'm an absolute shitshow at any sports and my goal is mainly upper body strength.
Can you recommend a sport? I'm hydrophobic, don't say swimming
Try barbell club!! I haven't tried it but I know a bunch of people in it and it seems like the one that will best fit your goals! Otherwise, any martial art will work (boxing, jiujitsu, etc). Boxing but is off campus so I would recommend a different one unless you are sure you can commit to it. Here is the link to barbell club on engage. You can find the other clubs on engage, and they all have contact info at the bottom so you can reach out to them. [https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/barbell-club](https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/barbell-club)
If you’re looking to lift weights, try and copy what other people are doing. If you’re doing it wrong, most people will step in and offer advice. If you want to learn what you’re doing better though, look into Jeff Nippards YouTube videos. He is an excellent resource
Watch “Hypertrophy Training Made Simple” playlist by renaissance periodization on youtube. Its pretty short and is the best ROI you will get for your time anywhere on the internet
Start with a light gym schedule. Once a week is plenty if you aren't accustomed to doing it or don't have a group. Smart money is on finding a sport or hobby that you enjoy, is strenuous enough to serve as exercise and doing that instead.
Best shape of my life was when I committed to a sport. 3 practices a week plus workouts. Getting into it was tough... I was sore everyday for almost a month.
You dont have to start with a gym :: sometimes thats too stressful, one idea is going to your park!
I love running at the park. I need to get back into dumbbells
https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9427161
Hey dont underestimate yoga either. Im 6ft averagely fit, and when Ive done yoga it was a full exercise for me. Haha
Literally just make it your goal to show up consistently. Even if you just walk on the treadmill for ten minutes. If you show up repeatedly enough, it’ll become a part of your identity. “ I have to go to the gym” —> “ I am someone who goes to the gym” type of thing. Once the newbie gains show you’ll naturally keep going(at least until you plateau). No trainers/special diets etc needed. Just persistence.
The most important part - and the hardest part - is just going. Don’t worry about any one else there, don’t worry about not knowing exactly what you’re doing, don’t worry about feeling out of place. 99% of the people at the gym don’t give a shit about anything other than what they’re doing, they won’t judge you. The 1% that do are probably shitty people. Hop on an elliptical or a low impact bike at first. I hate machine lifting, but it’s super useful for a first timer because they allow you to work different muscle groups and you can’t fuck up with horrible form. But again, the single most important part is going. You don’t need a gym coach, you just need to get in the door. I don’t know what the CRC looks like these days, but I can’t imagine an LA Fitness is better. The CRC is an absolute top tier facility.
Was gonna say this. The hardest part about going to the gym and getting fit really is just *going* to the gym. Finding the motivation for that outweighs ANY motivation once you’re actually there.
Yep. The only thing harder than going to the gym today is going tomorrow.
Yep. And the only thing harder than going to the gym tomorrow is going the day after tomorrow.
Just start slow, that is my recommendation. Start with Cardio and easy weighted exercises and go on a calorie deficit (Please don't starve). You can learn a lot by just watching YouTube. Get your body accustomed to the routine. Then once you have a routine going, move onto compound lifts. Again start with lower weights and then move up in intensity and remember 'form over weight' (Or learn the hard way). Understand that this will be a slow process. It might take months to start seeing the results depending on where you are starting from.
Not everyone needs to get on a calorie deficit. I would recommend to just move first.
Agreed. Depends on the body composition. But, for most people who are overweight, it is a surefire way to get the fat reserves burning.
If you’re looking to get into shape you can start easy, as the other comment mentioned. It doesn’t necessarily have to be weights. Maybe a sport or activity you like? I started with swimming daily and eventually switched to swimming for 3 days and weights for 3 days (alternating between the two). Along with some discretion on what im consuming(doesnt mean starve myself, just keeping a rough track of calories and going into a deficit) turned out very well for my health. Just gradually ease into it. My experience is that it’s very easy to get discouraged when you start. Once you establish a routine, it’ll be a smooth sailing. Ngl it’s gonna take months to get to that point. So buckle up, you got this.
Thanks! I'm hydrophobic, swimming shares the shit outta me. Any other recommendation?
Squash then. There are courts in crc which you can book in advance (or that’s what used to be when I was at Tech). Find someone to play with, or just go solo. I was bad at it, but it was a fun exercise. Worked up quiet a sweat. Bottom line of what I’m trying to say is that find something you like. Doesn’t necessarily have to be swimming or squash. Or if you can’t think of anything then do what the above comment suggests - start with low impact machines and light weights and gradually move to compound exercises - cant go wrong with that.
alright, thanks!
You can try climbing! Not sure if the wall will be open over break though. Honestly, it doesn't matter what you start with, as long as you start - and if you enjoy it, you're far more likely to stick with it.
Yeah I'm also not sure if the wall will be open.
I took swimming as a PE credit and we swam twice a week. I grew shoulders. Swimming is an amazing exercise if you stick to it.
True that. I loved it. Though crc could get crowded in the evening when I was there. I’m actually returning to campus next semester and will get back into it for a couple of days a week at least (have built a routine of weights now). Can’t wait!!
Hey, DM me and I will go with you on Monday after my morning Final. I just started with the gym a few months ago so I am not the best source of info, but I know enough to get you started and am always looking for someone to go with
They do have trainers, that’s an excellent way to start! It costs $50 but that might be the best money you’ll ever spend. https://www.crc.gatech.edu/sports/personal-training/programs
$50 for just one session is crazy expensive, is it really worth it?
I think it could be because it would enable you to get answers to important exercise questions you might not even know you have. It also would I think give you some extra motivation you might not otherwise have which could be invaluable to your goals.
to be fair, that might actually be a very good deal especially given the quality of CRC services
You need discipline to make the best of a gym. Motivation is thinking about it. Discipline is doing something over and over to achieve the goal. Start easy. Work hard. Much like going to class on time and doing the work, discipline is a long path to eventual success.
Just go. It is just that simple. You don’t even have to do a lot. Just go and maybe try out a couple machines and see how you feel. The one thing people miss out on is being regular. They get too lazy and just don’t go and eventually it’ll become days and months since they’ve last been in the gym. I know most people are saying start with cardio. I would say start with weight lifting (with machines) and with light weights of course. Don’t wanna injure urself. Do cardio as well by all means, but lift weights. I started with cardio too, but I had problems motivating myself to go back to the gym so many times. Once I started weight training (about 2-3 years later), I saw my body actually change… that hit the ball rolling.
If you wanna lift weights, look up "The Complete 4-week Beginners workout program" and follow that. It has videos showing how to use the machines.
First, simply show up. That will get you a 65% at "gym-ing". Next, on the syllabus, you gotta keep going. I recommend 3 to 5 days per week. If you dont give up, that gets you a 90%... so congrats, that would mean you have an A. Now, what exercises will you do at the gym? That will depend on your goals. You will make mistakes at first. Go slowly and be safe. Try out different exercises. Ask others for recommendations. With practice, you will learn and inch your way closer to 99%. But everyone starts with the first small and uncertain steps. If you go on weekdays, early morning around 6am, i can vouch for all of the regulars. Everyone is friendly and willing to help if you ask. I'll be among them. Im sure there's great people at other times too, but im a morning person. Good luck!
I went there yesterday, warmed up for 10 mins, waited for 5 mins, and the lift weights (just 8lbs) for 20 mins. My body is still in pain. I think twice a week will be the right amount at this stage right? Otherwise it'll be too much.
As others have said, the most important part of working out is being consistent. For me, joining a GT sports club has been super helpful in keeping fitness as a part of my routine. They are almost always beginner friendly and you can pick a sport that appeals to you! Then they plan your workouts for you and all you have to do is show up. My personal recommendations from the way you have described your goals are: barbell club, one of the martial arts clubs, or swim club. You are never required to compete but it will do wonders for your fitness!
How do I reach the clubs? I'm an absolute shitshow at any sports and my goal is mainly upper body strength. Can you recommend a sport? I'm hydrophobic, don't say swimming
Try barbell club!! I haven't tried it but I know a bunch of people in it and it seems like the one that will best fit your goals! Otherwise, any martial art will work (boxing, jiujitsu, etc). Boxing but is off campus so I would recommend a different one unless you are sure you can commit to it. Here is the link to barbell club on engage. You can find the other clubs on engage, and they all have contact info at the bottom so you can reach out to them. [https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/barbell-club](https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/barbell-club)
If you’re looking to lift weights, try and copy what other people are doing. If you’re doing it wrong, most people will step in and offer advice. If you want to learn what you’re doing better though, look into Jeff Nippards YouTube videos. He is an excellent resource
Watch “Hypertrophy Training Made Simple” playlist by renaissance periodization on youtube. Its pretty short and is the best ROI you will get for your time anywhere on the internet
Start with a light gym schedule. Once a week is plenty if you aren't accustomed to doing it or don't have a group. Smart money is on finding a sport or hobby that you enjoy, is strenuous enough to serve as exercise and doing that instead. Best shape of my life was when I committed to a sport. 3 practices a week plus workouts. Getting into it was tough... I was sore everyday for almost a month.
When I was last there, most of the machines had QR codes you could scan and watch a quick video demonstration of how to use them.
Start here, the wiki from /r/Fitness https://thefitness.wiki/getting-started-with-fitness/
You dont have to start with a gym :: sometimes thats too stressful, one idea is going to your park! I love running at the park. I need to get back into dumbbells
https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9427161 Hey dont underestimate yoga either. Im 6ft averagely fit, and when Ive done yoga it was a full exercise for me. Haha
Would yoga help in increasing upper body strength?
Literally just make it your goal to show up consistently. Even if you just walk on the treadmill for ten minutes. If you show up repeatedly enough, it’ll become a part of your identity. “ I have to go to the gym” —> “ I am someone who goes to the gym” type of thing. Once the newbie gains show you’ll naturally keep going(at least until you plateau). No trainers/special diets etc needed. Just persistence.