In full transparency, I’ve always struggled to find the motivation to go to the gym. Despite Florida State having the Dr. Bobby E. Leach Center, it’s remained a continual battle. From being too intimidated to go and not knowing how the machines work, to just not having the drive, going to the gym is no easy feat.
A couple of weeks ago, I started going to the Leach regularly. When I say that I’m a beginner, I fully mean that. Before this semester (my fourth), I had only ever stepped foot into the Leach twice, with the exception of dance practices. Now, I have much more gym confidence after only a short amount of time.
Ultimately, going to the gym makes me feel more productive and more positive about myself overall. My Mondays and Wednesdays begin with a workout at the Leach, a great start to my day. If you’ve been wanting to go to the gym but don’t know where to start, here are some of my tips.
- Tag along with a friend
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Nearly every time I go to the Leach, I go with one of my best friends. I follow her workout, and we alternate sets. It’s a great opportunity to learn how the machines work and the proper technique for each exercise. If I were going alone, I probably wouldn’t get much out of a workout, because I’d be doing things the wrong way.
Going with someone is the perfect solution for me, because it forces me to go and doesn’t let me slack off. My best friend acts like a personal trainer, always pushing me, and it gives me the drive to do each set to my fullest potential. Having a gym buddy makes the gym a social activity, which, as a social butterfly, is exactly what I need.
Find a friend who goes regularly to the Leach and picks a couple of times every week that fit into both of your schedules. I love going with my best friend because the weight I use in every exercise isn’t that much of a difference, so I don’t feel so behind. After some time of learning a couple of good workouts, you can either continue going with that friend or start going by yourself.
- Take a workout class
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The Leach offers plenty of different workout classes, almost all of which are free to students. There’s yoga, Pilates, and spin, just to name a few. Class registration opens 25 hours before the class starts, so be sure to register before the class fills up.
Attending a class is a great option to get a workout in without having to navigate the Leach all on your own. With such a variety of classes, it’s easy to find at least one that will be perfect for you and fit into your schedule.
- Go to the FMC instead
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Another alternative is to skip out on the Leach entirely and go to the Fitness & Movement Clinic (FMC). The FMC is located inside the University’s Health & Wellness Center, but it’s significantly smaller than the Leach. It’s typically much quieter and is more central on campus.
While I haven’t been to the FMC myself, many of my friends enjoy the calmer atmosphere. If the Leach is what scares you away from going to the gym, the FMC might be the perfect replacement. As you grow to become more comfortable, soon it’ll be time to face the Leach.
I’ll admit that going to the Leach is extremely daunting, but to me, it’s very much worth going. If you’ve been wanting to go to the gym, use this as the reason you finally do. Going to the gym doesn’t need to be as scary as it may seem; it just needs that first effort.
These are just a few of my tips to start going to the gym, but there are plenty of others. Joining an Intramural Sports team is a great way to stay active and do something fun with your friends. FSU Lakefront Park is one of my favorite spots on campus, with how beautiful and peaceful I find it to be. There are plenty of fitness options there as well.
FSU has plenty of options to stay active. Find the perfect one for you!
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