Exercise Tips :: Part Two
I recently posted tips on making the most of a gym visit and asked readers to add their own tips in the comments. I received a few that are too good not to share.
Tanya from Frou Frou Britches suggests to ask when you don’t know how to use a piece of equipment. Ask a staff member or someone who looks like they’d know. Doing an exercise incorrectly won’t give you the desired benefit or could even cause injury.
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Amanda from Serenity Now suggests to bring home a hard copy of your gym’s class schedule. Mark your calendar with the classes you’d like to attend and you’ll be much more likely to go. You could also keep your schedule on a bulletin board or on your refrigerator to help with planning your workout.
JulesTX (no blog) suggests bringing a water bottle and making sure that you finish the entire bottle before you leave the gym. Great tip! It is very easy to get dehydrated.
Amanda from Babies and Bargains recently joined the gym when snow kept her from running outdoors. Her mom joined with her and they keep each other accountable.
How lucky is she to get in a workout and a visit with her mom at the same time?
I couldn’t agree more that a workout buddy is a great way to make sure that you exercise. I am much more likely to run if I have a friend meeting me. I have been running with my buddy Dave for years and years. This photo is from 2002. When I stop to think about it, we’ve been running together for over 15 years!
Here we are on top of a mountain in 2003. Dave has taken a break from running for the last few months and I’m anxious to have my partner in crime back on the trail with me. It’s tough to motivate myself to run alone.
My number one workout buddy is Mr. SP. We love to bike and play tennis together. We met at the YMCA in aerobics class back in 1993. We’ve been exercising together ever since!
You’re sure to workout if you have a friend to keep you accountable!
I thought of a few more tips.
Find a class at your gym that you enjoy and get into the habit of attending.
I go to a 6 am cycle class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The same people are there week after week. When a person misses a class, everyone wonders why they aren’t there. I’m in the habit of going, so I go whether I really want to go or not. I’m never sorry once I’m there.
Make friends at the gym.
I love talking to people while I do my workout. I don’t stop what I’m doing, I just talk. I have made a ton of gym friends by being friendly. Once you are used to your gym and you feel like you have friends there, you are more likely to want to go.
Can you think of any more helpful suggestions? Please share!
I am incapable of talking when I work out! I wish I could carry on a conversation, but I guess I can only do 1 thing at a time. Especially when it’s working out 🙂
I have to agree with Sarah! I try to talk when I’m doing a class, but I end up being out of breath. 😉 I guess that shows how out of shape I am!
I, for one, want to hear more about you and Mr. SP. You should write about that for Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Oh I wish my kids were older and hubby and I could work out! I am so jealous you have that ability:)
I couldn’t agree more. My friends at the gym keep me accountable. If I don’t show up for a few days, they grill my Hubby about my whereabouts! My favorite workout buddy is my Hubby too. He pushes me harder than I push myself (in an encouraging way, not a Jillian way) and he’s quick to point out if I’m not using the correct form.
How cute are you and Mr. SP on your bikes? So cute! And I didn’t know y’all met in aerobics class. That’s so cool!
Great advise and pictures Paula.