So, you got a membership at your local Santa Clarita gym and are ready to work out. Gyms are a great place to start your fitness journey. They open early and close late at night, offering a variety of machines and equipment for you to try.
Yet, having a membership doesn’t automatically make you a pro. There is a lot to learn about programming, technique, pacing, weight, and more.
The Paseo Club is a private social club with tennis and pickleball courts, a pool, fitness and Pilates studios, and indoor and outdoor gym areas. Our certified trainers regularly work with new members. Here are several great pointers to help you avoid common rookie mistakes.
Top 7 Rookie Mistakes
When you are new to working out on your own, it is easy to make mistakes. Getting fit requires some know-how, and many of us are not putting in the time to do the research. Read about these seven common mistakes so you can avoid them during your workouts at your Santa Clarita gym.
1. Same workout
When you hit the gym, it is easy to fall into a routine — 15 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes doing arms (or legs), and a couple of ab movements. You worked up a sweat, lifted some weights, and got a little cardio in. All good, right?
Unfortunately, that is a recipe for plateauing — not getting stronger, building endurance, or burning fat. This method is definitely better than being sedentary, but it is not what will help you see gains.
People need consistent exercise, but to optimize progress, exercise needs to be diversified. Avoid falling into a rut. Change your movements, try new activities, and integrate strength training, cardio, interval training, and mobility into your workouts.
2. Imperfect technique
These days, there is a lot of emphasis on resistance or strength training. Sticking to weight machines can help you be safer, but it is always a good idea to learn proper form from an experienced instructor. Many gyms have front desk staff, but rarely is there a trainer available to ask questions to — unless you hire one for sessions.
Exercising using poor form can make you more prone to injury, which can sideline you for weeks or months. Do strength training, but not without proper instruction.
3. Distracted by your phone
People frequently grab their phones and bring them into the gym, planning to catch up on a few texts in between sets. However, it is easy to get distracted. This practice ends up taking more time away from your workout than you may realize.
Social media is designed to engage you and lead you down a rabbit hole of one exciting snippet after another. Faster than you realized, the two-minute break you intended to take becomes 15 minutes, and a major chunk of your time to exercise got eaten up.
Another popular strategy is hopping onto the elliptical with your phone, “exercising” and scrolling. In order to hold your phone and read, you have to go pretty slow, and that defeats the purpose of challenging yourself.
If possible, leave your phone in your car or locker and use your time at the gym to focus on your workout.
4. No warm-up or cool-down
Working out at the gym is often squeezed into your schedule before work, after work, or at lunch break. You are short on time and need to make the best of this limited window.
It is tempting to walk through the door of the gym and dive right into your workout. The cardio and strength training components are often considered the "meat and potatoes" of the workout. However, without taking time to properly warm up and cool down, you risk impaired performance, increased soreness, and injury.
5. Moving too fast or too slow
There is a method to the madness of creating an exercise program. There are times to go slow and controlled, and other times you want to challenge yourself to push as hard as you can. You do not always want to move slowly, and you do not always want to move at lightning speed.
If every movement you perform is at a snail’s pace, you are missing out on raising your heart rate and finding your edge. Alternately, if every session at the gym is a HIIT workout, you can tire your body more than strengthen it, facing burnout and fatigue. Learn to implement both approaches for optimum outcomes.
6. Training too hard and losing steam
People who haven’t been active for a long period and decide to get a gym membership can create unrealistic expectations of themselves and then burn out. Goals about gym attendance, weight loss, or hitting PRs (personal records) are typical.
Putting pressure on yourself sets you up for failure. It is critical to go slow and work your way up to a productive and sustainable routine. If you go too fast and too hard too soon, you’ll likely feel poorly and disappointed in yourself. These feelings lead people to give up entirely — which defeats the whole purpose of a gym membership.
7. Comparing yourself to other people
It is not an understatement to say that many people are intimidated by other members at the gym. They may appear more trim, faster, stronger, and/or more knowledgeable. If you are a beginner, you may worry about being judged or looked down upon.
If you feel nervous to attend the gym because you don’t “compare,” it can deter you from sticking to your workout schedule.
A good gym is going to be an inviting gym. There should be a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for all people at all levels of fitness and experience. Way more often than not, the “gym bros” will be respectful of you and your efforts, too. Their presence should have no bearing on your goals and program.
Making the most out of your gym experience in Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita is home to several gyms for you to choose from. When you want to purchase a membership, tour the gym first. See if it meets your needs for hours of operation, gym culture, equipment, and amenities.
If you have decided that you want more support, more community, and more choices than a gym, come check out The Paseo Club. We’ve got your indoor and outdoor gym needs met. We also have Pilates, yoga, swimming, tennis, pickleball, and over 60 fitness classes available each week.
The Paseo Club also offers several amenities, including Kids Club, a pro shop, a cafe and clubhouse, and an on-site spa. If you want to hit the gym while your kids are cared for by qualified staff and then get a massage at the spa, The Paseo Club may be the best fit for you. Grab a day pass and see how it feels.
If you are ready to become a member today, all you need to do is sign up online. It takes just a moment or two, and it instantly grants you access to all eight acres of the facility. The Paseo Club is your home away from home. Join now!
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