Hi all,

I recently found out that as a part of my job I get access to a small gym in the building. I think it has your basic cardio equipment and some other stuff for building muscle (but small enough I don’t think there is equipment to do stuff like dead-lifts or whatever in there).

I don’t know anything about working out really, but I could stand to lose some fat, which draws my attention to the treadmill that they have. I am not so concerned about building muscle and everything that involves.

I have mostly neglected going to gyms for 3 reasons.

  • They are usually out of my way
  • I don’t usually have the time
  • I don’t want to spend what they charge

All three of these are now non-factors now that I have found out I have access to this one.

I would be using it twice a week as that is how often I am actually at the location.

So my question is, since it’s not really something I have ever looked at - if I want to lose a bunch of fat, what do I do? I can try to diet first off, and I am glad to take suggestions on what worked for other people in that regard, but more so I just don’t know how long or how fast I should run, what equipment is good for this otherwise, or really anything about using a gym.

Please note that the facility is self-serve and has no staff - they just have cleaners come in each day to clean it, the rest is up to you. I do not have the money to spend on something like a personal trainer, and the location doesn’t offer such things as well given its self-serve nature.

Thank you.

  • Nighed@feddit.ukEnglish
    101·
    22 hours ago

    If you want to start running, look at the couch to 5k app for a safe and sustainable way into it. I would still much prefer running outside if you can though!

    For everything else there, make sure you understand how to use it, then focus on improving; keep a log (mental or actual) of what you do, and always try to improve on at least one thing.

    Fat loss is all about calories in being less than calories out. You will want to eat more after exercise, resist that if you want to lose weight.

    • golden_zealot@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
      2·
      17 hours ago

      It looks like the app is not available in my country - there are some rip offs that claim to be similar but charge money. Might look to see if there is some APK of it out there that I can sideload.

    • golden_zealot@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
      3·
      22 hours ago

      Thank you for the recommendations, I recall seeing someone else talking about that app and it certainly seems like a good jumping off point.

      • Nighed@feddit.ukEnglish
        5·
        21 hours ago

        One thing to understand is that getting fitter sucks. But give it a few months and what originally sucked is now your warm up and actually quite enjoyable.

        • golden_zealot@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
          3·
          21 hours ago

          Yes I expect that will be the case, but I am not discouraged very easily thankfully. My bigger problem I expect will just be making sure that I can form it as a habit, though other commenters have already offered up some resources which I think will help with that.