As the new semester settles in, students start fulfilling their healthy New Year’s resolutions by simply going to the gym.
During the month of January, Georgia State’s Recreation Center is packed. However, come February the crowd gets slim and the regulars know exactly why that is.
“Tests come up and other things. People jump in too fast sometimes and they get tired of it after a couple of days,” student Debbie Boyett, who plans to work on strength training this semester, said.
Starting to work out at the beginning of the year excites many students. They want to shred that “freshman 15” or get toned for spring break.
Caroline Dotts, assistant director for fitness programs at the Student Recreation Center, and AJ Ramer, a fitness center personal trainer at the Student Recreation Center, shared some tips for new gym goers.
Start small
“Don’t reward yourself with food. People often say, ‘Oh if I work out today for 30 minutes I can go get McDonald’s.’ Reward yourself with something else,” Dotts said.
Both Ramer and Dotts suggested to buy clothes instead. If a person loses weight, they can either get new clothes in general or even a nice fitness outfit for motivation.
Be realistic
Training takes time and patience. If someone just started to work out it would be unrealistic to run a marathon the next month.
“[Make] realistic goals that are obtainable,” Dotts said.
Read up
Many places on the Internet have valuable information for new gym goers, but they are not always correct.
“I would stick too American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Their guidelines are really good to go by, they are really structured,” said Ramer.
Set a goal
Just like starting small, the goals need to be small too. If it is to run a mile or lose 10 pounds, the goal has to be set from the beginning.
“Make a regiment up on your own at home so you know exactly what you need to do. Get in and get out,” Ramer said. “It takes dedication and it also takes getting into a routine and making this a part of your life.”
Ask questions
With a lot of different machines at the gym, exercise sessions can be overwhleming. That is why it is important to ask questions and get help from the employees at the Recreation Center.
“These are students who have been pursuing exercise science for six years of their life. It’s a really good deal we have going on here,” Dotts said.
The employees at the Recreation Center are mostly students getting either their bachelor’s or master’s degrees in exercise science.
If a student were to decide to get a personal trainer, they would go through the different packages, do some simple tests and get started.
Outside of Georgia State’s Recreation Center, a session with a personal trainer could range from $65 to $100, compared to $10 minimum per session on campus.
Nutrition plays a role in exercise as well. There is a nutritionist available at the recreation center for anyone who does not know where to start. Since it is the beginning of the semester, sign ups for personal trainers start this week.
Fitness assessment and two personal training sessions
GSU students: $45
Other members: $50
Fitness assessment and six personal training sessions
GSU students: $75
Other members: $105
Starter Package, Starter Paws and REEVUE metabolic test
GSU students: $80
Other members: $85
Can be added to any training package purchase.
GSU students: $10/session
Other members: $15/session
