Pete Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I'm still a member of the gym and have managed to go fairly infrequently (occasionally missing out entire months!) to do things like cycling, rowing, swimming. General cardio stuff. I'm a desk jockey sitting at my PC all day. I'm much better than I was, but still a fair way off what I see others doing there. So I booked a session with one of the trainers (JJB gym staff) and he's got me doing some weights, which is all new to me. I've got 4 machines to work around. A chest thing, a rowing type thing with a chest pad, thigh lifts and basic weights lifted up from my sides. 12 reps x 3. First few times were crippling, it's slowly getting easier. I've decided unless I go twice a week minimum I may as well save my membership fee. The big problem I have is that I can't stand the place. I can see/feel the benefit, but motivation is difficult. Everybody seems so unapproachable and they look at you funny if you smile or nod at them. I feel like the women think I'm eyeing them up and the blokes look like nut jobs. I'm happiest when it's empty, waiting around for a machine when it's busy does my head in and I feel very self aware that I'm pressuring them to get up and go. When I'm doing the weights I feel like a complete weakling compared the muscle bound mirror posers and just shuffle from machine to machine getting the ordeal over with and hoping it's doing some good. I thought exercise was supposed to be fun? How do others cope with this environment and how can I increase my motivation? I think maybe I should go back to karate to keep fit and stronger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j80leo Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 if you want to do weights get a set of weights for home and only go the gym for running and rowing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz1 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 right pete you have vikki, so why do you need the gym:D your no spring chicken any more:p just go for brisk walks. saves you on getting knackered, and membership fee,s or is she sending you there:blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil tt Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Try finding someone to go with, and try to go when there are less people. I think after a while you just get to enjoy it, and so much easier with a training partner:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I always used to find going while the mid twenties female areobics class was on was a good motivator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz1 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 i found training by myself at the gym was great, just buy an ipod stick aload of tunes you like and that should highly motivate you;) example: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yZhSY-gdTcU and the outcome: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EgZxtsFgCY4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkTheBoy Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Try finding someone to go with, and try to go when there are less people. I think after a while you just get to enjoy it, and so much easier with a training partner:) Its the only way i can motivate myself to do it too, talking each other up to it... Also if ones not in the mood the other can kinda 'gee' them up a bit. Also its cool if your at a similar level so one of you doesnt feel left behind by the other, like me and my mate... we're both well unfit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I built a gym in the garden in a Joki Summerhouse from B&Q, it has a TV and DVD player so I watch football in there as well as work out, I to found the whole gym experience a bit lonely and found myself feeling more self aware of my lack of fitness than ever while working out in front of strangers ! I used decathlon in Lakeside for all the equipment and in the long run I think I will even end up saving, anyway since building this a couple of mates use it as well, problem with that is that the gym can be forgotten and the TV goes on with football and a couple of beers , I knew putting 2 lazy boy chairs in there was a bad idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I want to find a cheap set of dumbells for home, can only find the £14 set in Argos though, and can't afford that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz1 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I want to find a cheap set of dumbells for home, can only find the £14 set in Argos though, and can't afford that! http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=96343 i paid 210 pounds for full set of iron dumbells and the heaviest is 55kg check my thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I want to find a cheap set of dumbells for home, can only find the £14 set in Argos though, and can't afford that! i paid 210 pounds for full set of iron dumbells and the heaviest is 55kg check my thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Getting a gym partner who is similar in fitness level can be great, especially when you compete with each other and can both see improvements. Also you can help each other out on things like the bench press by spotting each other. It lets you push to the point where you cant lift the weight any more because there is someone there to help you put it back etc. Things like negative reps can be good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz1 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 best bargains i got was of ebay just type in gym equipment every other week;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil tt Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 What about flea bay:d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 we joined a fittness club beginning of the year , its part of the village hotel chain . as i thaught it might help me lose a bit of the flab due to my back injury which fxxxxd things up big time. but like you pete it bores me silly , wifey loves it but its new to her , ive always been fit up to the injury , im finding it hard as i cant do any running because of the spine , so find it hard to get a good sweat on. i think you have to find someone to go with mate , you can help eachother then , do some free weights its more interesting than machines . i remember you being a skinny git when we met at TF lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I always find it difficult to find the motivation to go when I've been going infrequently, because it always seems harder work then. Going regularly makes it a bit more bearable (eventually). I do find it pretty dull though, even with my ipod. I actually prefer going when it's busier - at least there are (sometimes) pretty girls to look at and that makes it slightly less dull. Unfortunately, I've just switched to using my work gym - which has less pretty girls - so the motivation isn't that great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=96343 i paid 210 pounds for full set of iron dumbells and the heaviest is 55kg check my thread Thats quite expensive. Are they polished/chromed ones? A friend of mine wouldnt buy the black rough weights... had to have polished rebock ones at well over double the price I bought a set of york dumbells and barbells with 50kg of weight for about 50 quid. Then just got a couple of 10kg disks for 15 quid when 50kg wasnt enough. Great value when your paying about 30 a month on gym membership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Oh and if you want to pack on muscle you need to eat like a beast. Get your other half to make you a full english every morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 and the outcome: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EgZxtsFgCY4http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S8PLDY35AA4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz1 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Thats quite expensive. Are they polished/chromed ones? A friend of mine wouldnt buy the black rough weights... had to have polished rebock ones at well over double the price I bought a set of york dumbells and barbells with 50kg of weight for about 50 quid. Then just got a couple of 10kg disks for 15 quid when 50kg wasnt enough. Great value when your paying about 30 a month on gym membership. yea but i got the full set from 5k to 55kg 15 sets, they are worth over 700 pounds, i was going to buy them brand new same sets but got quoted 1250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Pete, the whole point of the gym is to start feeling healthier and better about yourself mate. I suggest you either go with Vicki bud, or just knuckle down and ignore some of the other regular knobheads you get going there. I can't lift much tbh, about 100KGs tops benching, but I love running and swimming so that's what I focus on. Who cares what people think bud. You look in good shape anyway and anything else you're doing to strengthen and maintain your body is a bonus. Well done mate. Just stick it out and my advice is to go STRAIGHT AFTER WORK so you don't get time to settle in and relax at home and put the ordeal off another day Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penguin Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 gym partner is deffo the route to take - i've been real slack with my attendence these last few months since by brothers been overseas but he's back today and no doubt will pickup where he left off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Pete, the whole point of the gym is to start feeling healthier and better about yourself mate. I suggest you either go with Vicki bud, or just knuckle down and ignore some of the other regular knobheads you get going there. I can't lift much tbh, about 100KGs tops benching, but I love running and swimming so that's what I focus on. Who cares what people think bud. You look in good shape anyway and anything else you're doing to strengthen and maintain your body is a bonus. Well done mate. Just stick it out and my advice is to go STRAIGHT AFTER WORK so you don't get time to settle in and relax at home and put the ordeal off another day Greg Cant lift much 100kg !! Blimey Greg thats just pi**ed on my bonfire, I though I was doing ok as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieren1234 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S8PLDY35AA4 HAHAHAHA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 if you want to do weights get a set of weights for home and only go the gym for running and rowing I have some weights at home but it in no way compares to the machinery which keeps your posture etc in check. I have to be very careful with my lower back which causes me grief so I'm really paranoid about posture when lifting. right pete you have vikki, so why do you need the gym:D your no spring chicken any more:p just go for brisk walks. saves you on getting knackered, and membership fee,s or is she sending you there:blink: I keep telling her we should be doing 'it' more purely for fitness reasons, but it's not working. No spring chicken - the precise reason I started working at it in the first place. Brisk walks are a good idea, but take longer and you get very wet (at the moment anyway!). i found training by myself at the gym was great, just buy an ipod stick aload of tunes you like and that should highly motivate you;) I have an iPod80 and Shure noise deadening headphones that are VERY effective. example: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yZhSY-gdTcU and the outcome: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EgZxtsFgCY4 No drugs used there I'm sure. Try finding someone to go with, and try to go when there are less people. I think after a while you just get to enjoy it, and so much easier with a training partner:) Tried that. A mate joined, vicki joined..but we always want to go at different times and do different activities there. Actually you've reminded me of a nother guy I know that goes, but he only does mornings - which would be even harder on motivation! I always used to find going while the mid twenties female aerobics class was on was a good motivator I can tell you've not seen the girls in Telford. I built a gym in the garden in a Joki Summerhouse from B&Q, it has a TV and DVD player so I watch football in there as well as work out, I to found the whole gym experience a bit lonely and found myself feeling more self aware of my lack of fitness than ever while working out in front of strangers ! I used decathlon in Lakeside for all the equipment and in the long run I think I will even end up saving, anyway since building this a couple of mates use it as well, problem with that is that the gym can be forgotten and the TV goes on with football and a couple of beers , I knew putting 2 lazy boy chairs in there was a bad idea Sounds cool. I'll need a bigger back garden though. Things like negative reps can be good too. What's one of those then? best bargains i got was of ebay just type in gym equipment every other week;) Good idea, I'll check that out, but space would be an issue. i remember you being a skinny git when we met at TF lol It's not to lose weight as such, just stay healthy and be fitter. I actually prefer going when it's busier - at least there are (sometimes) pretty girls to look at and that makes it slightly less dull. Might make running a problem though. Oh and if you want to pack on muscle you need to eat like a beast. Get your other half to make you a full English every morning Now there's a good excuse. I think I'll need to go more than twice a week to justify that though! Besides - I have no chance of Vic doing that. Muesli every morning for me. My stomach can't handle the grease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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