Whether you’ve had your gym membership for ages, or you’re new to the fitness community, everyone has questions about going to the gym. What do you bring with you? Where can you find the equipment you need? As always, we’ve got you covered. Below we’ve answered five of the most common gym questions we’ve come across. Anything else you’re curious about? Leave questions in the comments below!
1. What should I bring with me to the gym?
Depends how you like to work out but some common items include:
- Gym bag
- Phone or iPod for music
- Headphones
- Water bottle
- Sweat towel
- Lock
If you plan on showering, you will likely want to include toiletries, a shower towel, flip flops, and a change of clothes.
2. Where do I leave my stuff?
Most gyms will have lockers where you can leave your gym bag or personal items. You may want to call ahead to see if the lockers are located in the general workout area or if they have gender-specific locker rooms. Typically you’ll want to bring a personal lock to keep your items secure while you work out.
3. How can I sign up for classes?
All gyms are different. Some will allow you to sign up online while others will require you to sign up in person. Additionally, busier classes may not open up for registration until the week or day of. Be sure to check with your gym to see what they recommend for the classes you’re interested in.
4. How long should I spend on the machines when the gym is busy?
If you’re using a cardio machine, it’s courteous to try and limit your usage to 20-30 minutes. With weight machines, try to stick to 2-3 efficient sets. If you want to take longer rests between sets, encourage someone else to use the equipment while you’re taking your break. This allows you to maximize your time on the machine while being considerate of other people’s time.
5. What’s the difference between free weights and machine weights?
A free weight can be classified as any object or device that can be moved freely in three-dimensional space. Some of the more common free-weights in a gym would be:
- Dumbells
- Barbells
- Medicine ball
- Ankle weights
- The human body (the ultimate free-weight of all!)
On the other hand, any exercise machine in a gym such as a pec-dec or a smith machine is a perfect example of what can be considered high-tech training apparatus or machine weights.
Not sure which one to use? Find more information on the differences between the two at BodyBuilding.com.
Spott3r helps people get people paid for their workouts. Click here to learn more about how you can earn cash reimbursements for your gym visits! Ready to sign up for your free eligibility check? You can do that too, here.
Photo cred: Shrinking Guy, Words on Wellness, PopSugar
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