Gym Speak

Have you ever walked into a gym and felt like you’d just entered another country? A country in which no other person speaks a language you understand. You can relax now fellow traveler. The language is simple once you have the basics down. Next thing you know, you’ll be sounding like a native.

Step. Power Step. Power Muscle Step. Step Mix. Huh what?? Step classes, still very popular, are the most difficult to decipher. Try walking into the wrong one and suddenly you have 2 left feet and no sense of direction.

Basic Step Classes are lower impact (lower impact meaning you won’t want to vomit 20 minutes into it) than other step classes. Perfect for beginners. Others in the classes are usually still learning the language as well. A slower pace and simple instructions allow you to learn at a pace that doesn’t leave you unable to move the next day. Any other variation of a step class will utilize the moves you learn in Basic Step, just jumped up a notch…or 50. Step classes are great cardiovascular exercises. Cardiovascular meaning about 5 minutes in your heart feels like it wants to jump out of your chest, and believe it or not, that’s a good thing. Stable sneakers and a super duper sports bra are must haves for the stepper.

Kickboxing is also a great cardio workout. Think Billy Blanks. Less jumping around than a step class, same results. Beginners or advanced can all benefit from the same class. The moves are easier to pick up, but the workout is no less intense. A kickboxing bonus is feeling like you can beat up the guy who just stole your parking spot. As much as you want to, try not to release your inner martial artist on the unsuspecting. Stable sneakers are a definite must have for this class as well.

Yoga, Pilates and Total Body classes are all lower impact. No jumping around, no need for the extra strength sports bra. These classes are not aerobic (heart stays in your chest). Aimed at toning and defining your muscles (making your wiggle have less jiggle) these classes aren’t for the faint at heart. Although great for beginners, people rehabilitating injuries, or post partum moms, you won’t get off easier by choosing a low impact class. Think about having to hold the walls to lower yourself on the toilet the next day. Working every single muscle you own, and some you weren’t aware you had, you’ll see faster results with these classes than any other.

The weight room: no, it isn’t as scary as it looks. Once you know what all of those contraptions do, the less they will look like medieval torture devices. Most gyms will walk you through and explain the equipment to you, as well as the best way to use it. Knowing what the trainer is talking about will help out. Let’s take a look at phrases you’ll hear repeated every 3 minutes.

Reps (repetitions): How many times you repeat an exercise in one sitting. Normally between 8 and 12.

Sets: How many times you will complete one set of reps. Usually it will be 3. So you would do the exercise between 8 and 12 times, take a break and repeat for 3 times altogether.

Core: Your abs (stomach) glutes (butt) and lower back muscles.

Crunches: An exercise designed to work your abs.

Cardio: Anything that raises your heart rate for an extended period of time. Aerobics classes, tread mills, and stationary bikes all fall in this category.

So when you walk into the gym and the person next to you says “I’m going to do 4 sets of crunches, 20 reps each because I really need to work my core before I hit the cardio” you’ll know exactly what that means.

The gym may seem intimidating when you first start out. It does for everyone. The most important thing to remember is you’re there. Getting there is much harder than learning what to do once you walk inside.