Going to the GYM: what to do with your stuff?

[Salamander]

As a introvert and lover of You Tube and my DVD collection, I haven't belonged to a health club in a long time. I have a 2 week trial to a small club near my house, mainly to use their infrared sauna. However I always worry about the 'small things'. Can anyone advise on:

- Lockers- Which is best: combo lock or padlock w/key? I'm afraid of using a combination lock- what if I forget the combo? I was thinking padlock, and putting key on a cheap chain to wear around my neck.

- What to have on me: water bottle, phone, towel... seems cumbersome to constantly pick up/move the items around if I'm using different machines Or do people usually leave their stuff against a wall?

-Sauna- what is acceptable to wear- sport bra and shorts (or whatever you exercise in) ok?

I will probably come up with more but those are my main worries

[Pat58]

I love my gym workouts in addition to home video.

You could find a small sling pack to hold your water, etc., while moving around the gym.

Your idea about keeping a padlock key around your neck is good - or, if you go the sling pack route, it might have a small pocket where you could stow the key. Some fitness pants have a tiny pocket built in.

Don't leave stuff against the wall. It could be stolen or moved by management because it is a health hazard. My former gym had to break people of the habit by taking their gym bags and making offenders pay a fine to get it back.

The facility may have its own rules about the sauna, I would check there first. A sport bra and shorts sounds acceptable to me. I haven't been to many saunas; on my few encounters the women were wearing towels or bathing suits (it was in a day spa).

Have fun!!

[hdw]

Locks... depends on what you like. Personally I like combo... Nothing to lug around. But you can put the padlock key on your car keychain.

You can leave your phone in the locker. Just bring your water bottle if you want. Gyms usually have water fountains if you are not grossed by that.

I've seen people with just towels in the sauna. I don't know what's underneath...

[cyana]

Less is more - pare down to the absolute necessities and that includes what you leave in your car and locker. I tended to be a combination lock person, but your idea of wearing a key is good. A sturdy lock is a must.

Some of the cardio machines will have a holder for your water bottle and some have a little compartment that your phone will fit in. If I was using a weight bench, I stuck my water bottle under the bench to keep it out of the way. Or if I was using DB's, I'd put my water bottle under the rack. Hopefully I got home before the cooties from the floor climbed to the top of my water bottle, LOL! I have an ancient iPOD Nano that I'd take to the gym and I'd stick it in my waistband or waistband pocket if I had one. I was fortunate that my last gym was within walking distance, which helped reduce the amount of stuff I needed to schlep with me.

Historically I saw people wear their work-out clothes in the sauna, but these were all dry saunas and not infrared. I'm jealous that you have access to one of those!

The gym should offer at least a quickie orientation so feel free to run your questions by the staff as they may have some helpful tips specific to their facility. I hope it's a good experience for you.

[marki64]

I haven't belonged to a gym in about 25 years, so I don't have any advice to give other than you may like it more if you avoid the 1st 2 weeks of January. I remember hating that time as everyone is on their New Year's resolution but they seldom make it through January.

[lreidgreen]

I used a combo lock. I have misplaced it and since September I have been throwing my day pack into a locker but do not keep my wallet in there- I leave it in my locked car. I live in a low crime area so I need to actually use the new lock I recently purchased. In terms of the combo, I did remember it although I put the combo in my phone in my password app in case I forgot.

I carry my phone with me since I often use it to time my sets, rests etc. I also carry a water bottle and clipboard with my exercise log to track my workouts. The past 4 weeks or so I had to use Valslides and exercise bands which are either missing or in terrible shape at the gym so I have been carrying that as well. And sometimes I bring my mini-deadlift jack which is very heavy. It is a bit of a pain but much less frustrating than dealing with the disorganized mess at the gym. Part of my workout is carrying my stuff around!

That is what I carry for lifting-I never go to the gym to just use cardio machines.

[wishiwasinhawaii]

I haven't been to a gym in at least 10 years, but just wanted to say that they have combo locks now that have letters instead of numbers, so you can make a password that is an actual word. I personally like that better!

[Mickey12]

I agree with avoiding going in early January. I have not been to a gym in many years but I recall how crowded it got during this time. By the end of January it was always back to normal.
Enjoy the free trial.
Kim

[lreidgreen]

I was thinking of taking a month or so off from weights workouts to give my body a break and a change so this is a good time to do that. I went to the gym on Friday and it was busier than I have ever seen it and it was during the day. It will no doubt be worse next month.

ETA: wishi- Thanks for mentioning the letter combo locks. Good idea!

[Salamander]

Great advice- thank you all! I went once so far. I was disappointed to learn that the sauna is not infrared, just a dry sauna. Still I stayed in for 20 and got a light sweat. I'm going a few more times while i wait for a portable infrared unit I bought from Amazon.