My New Year’s resolution was to lose weight and get into better physical shape.
I decided to join a gym. I googled the nearby fitness centers and read up on their membership rates, policies, amenities and reviews. Once I chose a gym, signing up was easy. I was able to take a virtual tour, provide my credit card information and download an app onto my phone that lets me inside the facility 24/7. I was so excited that I invested into a ton of new workout apparel and gear. I bought shorts and tanks designed of a material that wicks away moisture, sneakers with extra arch support and a really cute water bottle. I was totally prepared to achieve my fitness goals. However, actually stepping inside the gym was surprisingly intimidating. There were tons of people working out, who seemed to be super fit and knew exactly what they were doing. I had no clue how to operate the abundance of complex machines. I wasn’t even sure how to properly lift weights. I wandered around, familiarizing myself with the space and came across a sign-up sheet for a beginner’s, group fitness class. I was so thankful. This was the ideal way to get started and get comfortable. The instructor was absolutely wonderful. I made friends with the other novices in the class, and I gained confidence. I learned how to safely warm up and stretch my muscles. I was taught how to handle everything from kettlebells to battle ropes. By the final session, I was ready to experiment with all of the machines and equipment offered by the gym.