Make sure you try everything

AFTER a few weeks of going to the gym you become familiar with the surroundings and you become a little braver. 

You might start to dabble with training aids and devices that look like something that don’t belong in a gym, but make sure you try everything. In other words, don’t be a ‘one trick pony’. 

Gym balls and kettle bells are just another way of working out the muscles and building strength. You might find you really take to these and that you build them into your programme. If you become fond of one particular exercise then you could look for a class in that. There are individual kettle bell classes in most gyms and you could join one of those.

One great tip I have for you is watch other gym users. Watch how they use certain machines and certain free weights and then give it a go. Then all you need do is ask your gym instructor for the correct technique once you have the basic idea. Like I said last week, it’s correct technique and breathing that is important. Not how heavy it is or ‘look how strong I am’. 

Rowing Machine

Now if you fancy on breaking a sweat and you have tried the cross-trainer and the treadmill, then you have to try the rowing machine. An indoor rowing machine is used to simulate the action of rowing and they are often referred to as ergo-meters because they measure the amount of work done. The indoor rower is calibrated to measure the amount of energy the rower is using through their use of the equipment.

The machine can also be part of your cardio workout.

Spinning Bike

Don’t forget about the spinning bikes. These provide another great way to get a good cardiovascular workout and again it’s low-impact on your joints. You will need an introductory class before you jump on these bikes as they are quite different to a normal outdoor bike.They work on a weighted flywheel system that is directly mechanically linked to the pedals. This makes them like fixed gear bikes, in that if you stop pushing on the pedals, they will tend to keep spinning due to the inertia of the flywheel. This is different to regular bikes which have a freewheel system that allows the wheel to spin freely if you stop pedalling. 

Endorphins

Now, last but not least that exhilarated feeling that we all get when we finish our workout. This is due to endorphins flowing around in your blood stream and making you feel great.

These chemicals interact with receptors in your brain and trigger a positive feeling in the body. They relieve stress and enhance pleasure. So, if you want to feel wonderful, get to your favourite gym for a good hardy training session!