As a new member, there a likely a few things going through your head and heart right now. A combination of nervousness and excitement is to be expected. We’ve all had humble beginnings at some point, so do not feel out of place or judged if you aren’t just oozing with confidence.

To help build that confidence, we’ve put together this basic guide for you to read, so that you can show up feeling a bit more comfortable knowing some basics about the gym. So let’s start off with the most basic of things: our primary philosophy.

“Disrespect Your Excuses”

This is a mantra and a philosophy upon which our gym is built. To sum it up, we believe that our capabilities far exceed our limitations. This does not mean that we do not both acknowledge and respect real physical limitations; it does, however, mean that we do not dwell on these limits. So once a true limit or inhibition is present, we will work together to find a way to overcome it.

Now, let’s jump into how to be prepared for your first day!

First things first, BE ON TIME! This is extremely important to us and your teammates. Being on time ensures that you can get yourself situated (setting down your belongings, running to the restroom, etc.) and that you fully execute the warmup. We will suspend memberships of teammates who are not respectful of this rule, with exceptions given to first-responders who are coming from work.

Secondly, the warmup is a very important part of the workout, so pay close attention to how each move is executed. It sounds so basic but a proper warmup does more than just get your body physically warm, it primes your mind-body connection so that you’re truly firing on all cylinders once the workout starts. 

(On a side note, the warmup through which we progress is specifically designed to increase your functional mobility over time; in other words, the more you do it, the less tight and immobile your body becomes!)

Thirdly, the workout will always be written up on the board, so it is important that you consistently reference the board for guidance. The workout board will show you the names of each exercise and the amount of repetitions of each to do. It will also show the order in which you are to execute the movements. Your teammates and coaches will always be there to help guide you along the way but you do not want to become permanently reliant on them. 

During workout briefings/explanations, do not talk over the coach or ignore directions. If this takes place, you will have no idea what is being prescribed. If this becomes a habit for a specific client, we will remove them from class.

The fourth and final tip that we have for you is simple: ASK THE COACH QUESTIONS WHEN SOMETHING DOESN’T MAKE SENSE OR FEEL RIGHT! This is not an inconvenience for the coach; it is one of our primary functions! We do not want to build habits or experience injury while at the gym; we want to build confidence and make progress, so ensure that this happens by asking for help as you need it!

So that’s it! Be on time, absorb the warmup, read the board, and ask questions!