However, there was a moment of nervousness. My past experience with fitness equipment was limited to 5 pound hand weights I would use during yoga. These giant pieces of machinery were very intimidating. My first day at the gym, I creeped up to a machine, not wanting anyone to notice how novice I am to this thing called exercise. I wasn't ready to talk to a trainer. I wanted to introduce myself to the equipment before making it very clear I know nothing about working out.
An amazing thing happened that first day. I found that most of the equipment was amazingly easy to use. I could spot from a distance which machine worked which muscles thanks to some clear imagery and the instructions were simple and listed as steps. Step 1, step 2, step 3... just how I think.
Even if I skipped the written instructions, the large images of the man using the machine were pretty clear. Sit, grab handles, pull forward. Easy. Well, at least easy to understand. Perhaps the one failure here is the lack of a reminder to check the amount of weight. The person before me was doing 120lb ab work. I sat. I grabbed the handles. I pulled and I went nowhere. However, that's an easy fix. Easy to figure out, "whoops, I forgot to check the weight" and go back into the exercise.
My favorite instruction is for the triceps pushdown. They skip the instructional text and show the three most important points: which muscles are going to hurt tomorrow, what's the start position, and what's the goal. There's little question what to do here.
Not all fitness equipment includes such clear instruction. There are several machines at the gym that I needed an instructor to explain, but I was incredibly pleased that I could become oriented with the machines before asking for help, while I was still getting used to the idea of working out in front of strangers.
For more information on this well-instructed equipment, check out the Life Fitness website.
Related posts:
Out of Gas with a 1/2 Acre Remaining
My favorite instruction is for the triceps pushdown. They skip the instructional text and show the three most important points: which muscles are going to hurt tomorrow, what's the start position, and what's the goal. There's little question what to do here.
Not all fitness equipment includes such clear instruction. There are several machines at the gym that I needed an instructor to explain, but I was incredibly pleased that I could become oriented with the machines before asking for help, while I was still getting used to the idea of working out in front of strangers.For more information on this well-instructed equipment, check out the Life Fitness website.
Related posts:
Out of Gas with a 1/2 Acre Remaining
3 comments:
You only make the mistake of not checking the weights once. After that, it's the first thing you check. You quickly realize after a while that no one is watching you, unless they're checking you out, but people are usually just too busy with their own workout to even notice anyone else.
Those charts are great as it really shows a novice, non-english speaker or a jarhead how to use the machine. If they want to work on their abs, for example, they can just walk around the room and look at the pictures until they see the one they want. Personally, I like to go up to those, stare at them for a while and then say, "Oh, so those are my abs. Good to know." And then walk over to an entirely different machine.
But I bought a Swiss ball, a self-mounted pull up bar, two sets of interchangeable weights and push up handles and I can do any work out at home that I can at the gym, for less than a one time fee of $150, so I don't go to the gym anymore. Between that and road biking, I stay in relatively decent shape.
You are lucky to have the determination to work out at home. I can never stick to it unless I go elsewhere where I have the pressure of other exercising people. Luckily my gym is very inexpensive since it's partially funded by the city. Two people for about $50/mo with no long-term commitment.
I also like the classes. I can't do water aerobics at home unless I want to invest in a pool. :)
One question... Swiss ball? Is that the large blow-up blue balls I see people use for crunches?
We have these machines too. My point of madness is that the ones that involve something being pressed against my chest are obviously made for men. And the photos are for men. Grrr.
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