What to do at the gym? page

**Athanasey** · 08-10-2011, 05:28 PM

I really like the exercises listed for lifting heavy things in the PB book but at the same time I have a gym membership until February next year and it seems silly not to use it. Especially since there is a creche there so I can take the baby.

So what should I be doing at the gym? I am very weak and the thought of free weights terrifies me!

**jens522** · 08-10-2011, 05:36 PM

You can do your bodyweight stuff in the gym. Most have pull up bars and mats for pushups, planks, squats etc

**iniQuity** · 08-10-2011, 06:11 PM

Nothing wrong with starting out using machines to build some strength, but you could just as well start out with light free weights and work your way up...

**jsa23** · 08-10-2011, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by iniQuity

Nothing wrong with starting out using machines to build some strength, but you could just as well start out with light free weights and work your way up...

Agree with the above - start with LIGHT freeweights - don't do anything heavy until you are comfortable with the balance. Do a session with a trainer/coach(or a knowledgeable, trusted friend) who can give you useful feedback on your form. Once you're comfortable with the form and balance, increase the weight gradually.

**Athanasey** · 08-10-2011, 06:33 PM

Thanks. I haven't seen a pull up bar anywhere in the gym. I have my plan for the machines that I am meant to follow. I'm due for a plan review so I might ask my trainer if he can show me how to use the free weights instead.

**achilles.kealoha** · 08-10-2011, 07:02 PM

If you are going to the gym, start with light free weights as mentioned above. It would be rash to say that you don't gain ANYTHING from machines, but the benefits of utilizing free weights far out-weigh using a machine (i.e. buidling stability in your muscles/core, proper range of motion, proper positioning/form, etc)

Some machines are good to use initially though, such as pull up assist machines. I say just do negatives, but doesn't mean the machine won't help.

**js290** · 08-10-2011, 08:03 PM

**Glamorama** · 08-10-2011, 08:16 PM

Start light and go from there. I did this a few years ago, and went from lifting a 2 kg dumbbell in one hand (10x3 reps) to 11 kgs in a matter of 4 months. So you will build quickly. Mind you, I wasn't doing a low-carb diet back then, no wonder I could never see my newly gained muscle!