Has it been a while since you’ve been to the gym? If so, you may be a little daunted by the thought of going back. What will you even wear?!
Going to the gym can be intimidating, especially for a newcomer. Here are a few things you should know about going to the gym at UA. With any luck, this list will help you look a little less like a newbie (and, just as importantly, accurately dress the part).
What to wear
The staff at University Recreation, known as UREC, recommends wearing clothing that covers well enough that the skin doesn’t touch any of the machine padding. This will be more comfortable for you, since it will prevent your sweaty skin from sticking to the machines. It’s also just good hygiene. You’ll be sweating, likely a lot. So don’t forget to stop by the equipment desk and grab a towel to wipe up all that perspiration.
What’s available, where
UA has three main gym facilities: the Student Recreation Center, the Robert E. Witt Center and the Aquatic Center. The hours for each location can be found on the UREC website.
The Student Recreation Center is the main recreation facility, where you can find weight rooms, cardio rooms, exercise classes, personal trainers, outdoor recreation and more.
At the Robert E. Witt Center, located on the north side of campus, you can work out in the cardio room, take on the climbing wall, participate in group exercise and more, all while taking in scenic views of the Black Warrior River.
The Aquatic Center offers a 25-yard outdoor pool and a 50-meter indoor pool. Both are available for lap swim during specific hours of the day.
Gym etiquette
It’s a good idea to be courteous and respectful of your fellow exercisers. Offer others the chance to “work in” between sets, suggests UREC staff. In addition, only take one set of dumbbells off the racks at a time, and always return equipment to where you found it.
Leave personal items, such as backpacks and gym bags, in the locker room, and only bring water to the workout areas.
Best time to go
UREC staff says their busiest times of day are between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. So if you’re looking to avoid the crowd, go to the gym in the morning.
Motivation and advice from UREC staff
If you’re new and feeling a little uncomfortable, have confidence and know that others likely feel the same. If you don’t know where things are located, the weight room staff is trained and ready to show you where the machines are located and how to use them. They cannot prescribe exercises, but UREC has personal trainers that can.
If you’re looking for some momentum, find some type of accountability – a friend, trainer or group class. Try listening to a playlist or watching a television show to stay motivated while doing cardio. And most importantly, always pick small, attainable goals. And if you miss a workout, no worries … just pick up where you left off.