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Ask A Personal Trainer
If you're looking to improve your fitness routine but are unsure where to start, you've come to the right place! We know that starting a new fitness routine can be overwhelming, so we want to make it as easy and accessible as possible. Email Derrick Jenkins with your question and our certified personal trainers will provide you with an answer. We'll also post your question and our response here so others can benefit from your inquiry!
Frequently Asked Questions
For endurance, you want to do high reps (15+), 2-3 sets, and keep rest times short (under 1 minute).
For muscle size, you want about 8-12 reps per set, usually 3-4 sets, and keep rest times medium (1-3 minutes).
For pure strength and power, you want low reps (<5), a higher number of sets of 4-10 (depending on the exercise), and 3-5 minutes of rest between. You want full recovery while staying warm.
For muscle size, you want about 8-12 reps per set, usually 3-4 sets, and keep rest times medium (1-3 minutes).
For pure strength and power, you want low reps (<5), a higher number of sets of 4-10 (depending on the exercise), and 3-5 minutes of rest between. You want full recovery while staying warm.
Results in the gym will vary for each person and will depend on your exercise program, diet, and genetics. If it’s the first time you’ll work out consistently, you will likely see strength gains relatively fast from neurological learning. Muscle size will take a bit longer, between 1 and 3 months. If your goal is weight loss, you can start seeing significant progress between 1 and 2 months with proper diet and exercise while having a consistent caloric deficit. Since results depend on various factors, it’s essential to have a plan, a goal, and people beside you who can guide and motivate you in your journey.
The gym can be intimidating, but it is a place of respect, self-improvement, and hard work. No one comes to the gym to watch you work out or judge your lifting techniques. Everyone is too focused on themselves to focus on you. Just coming into the gym deserves respect, let alone exercising at the gym. The bottom line is that when you come to the gym, you are determined to improve your quality of life and take time out of your schedule. If you are worried that you aren’t strong and only lift a little bit, don’t worry, everyone starts somewhere. The most muscular person in the world also started with light weight at first. You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great. Bring a workout partner. Signing up for a beginner’s workshop or group exercise class can help get you to the gym as a starter. Ask for advice/help while in the gym – possibly from a worker – many people are willing to help.
