The first time you go to the gym, here's what you should do

If you've just made the decision to join the gym, it can be intimidating, especially for first-time users. You find yourself surrounded by unfamiliar equipment, sounds, and smells, and you wonder, "What am I supposed to do?" Your first time at the gym can be daunting, and many people end up thinking about quitting before they even get started.

We don't want you to do that. When they first hit the gym, some people expect to immediately start doing intense workouts. That's not realistic. Our advice is to focus on some natural movements to get started. But if you want to really enjoy the experience and come back the next day ready for more, then focus on what your body can already do.

The absolute best way to gain confidence and knowledge in the gym is to work with one of the fitness trainers. A fitness trainer will not only show you how everything works in the gym, but they will show you how your body works.

Let's see how you can get started yourself:

Try riding a bike for the first 10 minutes to warm up. Take this time to look around and remember what you learned during your gym tour. Once you feel a little warm and sweat starts to rise to the surface of your skin, you're ready to try some beginner moves.

You don't need to spend a lot of money to get ready for a workout. To cover the basics, you'll need:

• Comfortable clothing – think stretchy and breathable.
• A water bottle – water bottles work great if you’re running on the treadmill or in a gym class. Or you can go for an insulated bottle if you want your water to stay cold.
• A towel – a simple white gym towel or hand towel will do the trick.

If it's your first time at the gym, one of the most important steps is to get your bearings with your surroundings. The gym staff members are there to make you feel comfortable. The last thing any of us want to see is a member getting discouraged and giving up on their fitness journey simply because they feel overwhelmed.

Focus

The best thing you can do is really focus on the feel of each movement and exercise. Learn to listen to your body so you can target the right muscles and get the most out of your workouts. Trust us, most people are too busy worrying about being judged to think about being judged. The gym is a safe space.

Warm up your muscles.

Never skip a warm-up. Exercising with “cold” muscles can result in injury and fatigue. Take the first 10 minutes to get your body moving. Cardio machines are a great place to start. Try a brisk walk, jog, or give the bike a spin. Whatever you choose, you should be working hard enough to get your heart rate up and sweat a little before you move on.