Health and Fitness SA

7 Ways To Have A Better Gym Experience

The gym is an amazing place, only if you know what you’re doing, or else it can become a hazard for you and others. So for our browsers and members new to the gym – this article may have an idea or two for you to make your experience not nice, but great.

A Better & Safer Gym Experience

Lock your stuff up

When you go to the gym make sure you don’t bring your bag around with you, that’s what the locker rooms are made for. When you bring stuff with you there is a chance someone could trip over them or even you. Or, steal your goods.

A spotter

This is by far one of the most important things ever when training. It is highly recommended to have a buddy or someone to spot you. Some exercises like bicep curls don’t require spotters. Movements like squats and bench presses, make sure you have a spotter (when you're a new gym exerciser). A spotter isn’t just there; when you’re on your last rep and the weight is a bit shaky, or you cannot push the weight back up the spotter must be there to critique your form. In the long term spotters will be helpful, in the beginning when you're just getting used to it, it may seem like you don’t need a spotter, but it helps. Many gyms have fitness consultants or floor consultants who can help with spotting. Ask!

Sweat

Sweat is just outcome of training and is a good thing! Just please wipe it down. Oops wait, don’t use you hand to wipe your face then just wipe it on your clothes! You use those hands to touch weights and things that have been touched by many other people. All you need to do is bring a small towel or something to dry yourself with. And it is just proper gym etiquette to use a towel in a gym!

Wipe the Machines before you use them

A lot of people use a machine and leave sweaty bum print or hand prints. If you are one of those people make sure you look back and see if you didn’t leave a stain behind because germs and sweat can spread to the next user. And its gross. Use your towel or the paper towels supplied by most gyms and wipe off after you've used equipment.

Water

Drink lots of it. When you exercise you lose a lot of water when sweating. So make sure you keep yourself hydrated. This is a key element, especially if you have a long workout and/or one with high intensity. The last thing you want is to feel weak. Also hydrate after your workout to keep your internal organs healthy and happy.

Warming up and Stretching

This is a very important aspect of training. You should always warm up, whether its a 10-minute run or cycle, or just doing low weight-high repetition exercises to get the blood flowing. Whatever you do, make sure you warm up. The second part to the equation is stretching. Yes, you must stretch. “Oh, no, I cant do that, I’m a tough guy, only “wimps” stretch”; well we’ll see who’ll be sore and who’ll get injured tomorrow. Stretching is just plain healthy!

Lifting - the thing you came to do at the gym

When you perform an exercise of any sort, watch your technique! Breathe. A very important tip: control the weight; DON’T let the weight control you. If it’s “controlling" you, its either too heavy or you’re doing something wrong. Finally, don’t do what you see people doing. Only perform exercises you are able to do, and make an effort to set goals to achieve higher and higher levels of results. And, ask for advise! Even use a Personal Trainer or Biokineticist for a month or 2 to learn proper exercise technique.

But most of all: HAVE FUN! your body enjoys exercise - you should too....

Original article published on www.healthmad.com