I have been to quite a few different gyms over the years, ranging from fitness first, virgin active, a private one in Singapore, Australia, hotel gyms, and pretty much in every gym I have been too, there are those people who don't really know what to do, because they haven't really got a plan. For example, I have a plan of what I want to do, how I want to look, and I know what I need to do in order to reach that. No, I don't know everything about building muscle, but I know a good amount, and I have many years in front of me to learn the rest (which I am already doing!). So when I workout, I have a few routines that I do, using different equipment, hitting different muscles. This makes sure that I don't waste my time, I'm not standing around, thinking what to do next, getting distracted by the TV's (you thought I was going to say women then didn't you!).
I remember chatting to some people in the gyms I have been too, and I would say around half of those people knew what they were doing, had their goals set out and didn't waste their time. But the other half used lines such as 'I just want to, you know, tone up a little bit?'. I'm sorry, is that a question? I thought you were telling me what you goal is? Those people are the ones who will never reach their 'goal' that they have set themselves because they have no idea what they are doing. If you are a newbie, a beginner, or just need help, ask the trainers, or better yet, employ one. Its better to pay a bit of money to get yourself on the right track, rather than wasting membership fee's and your own time going to the gym for a daydream session.
Most people who are like that, do tend to be newbies to the gym, and that is perfectly okay, everyone has to start somewhere. But don't worry about having to ask for help, it is perfectly okay to do that!
I'm not a big believer in session by session, planned workouts, because lets face it, sometimes you could wake up with a sore calf/hamstring/shoulder, and you will have to change your routine, or the pieces of equipment you need may not be available to you during your workout. Just because you don't plan your workouts down to exercise, rep and set, doesn't mean you don't have a plan. If you are 'clued up' of what exercise to do for what muscle group, and have worked out what sets/reps work best for your body (everyone is different and responds to different styles) then you can train well every single session.
My best advice? If you aren't really sure what to do, go see a personal trainer, even pay for a few sessions to get you on the right track. Don't waste your time wandering around the gym not knowing what the heck you're doing.
Lee Gregory Fitness
