30 Machines in 30 Days

Have you ever noticed what happens when you walk into a gym?

Look over at the cardio section. Treadmills? Women. Bikes? Women. Ellipticals? Women. And the StairMaster—or, as I affectionately call it, the StairMonster? Yep. More women.

Now look over at the strength-training area.

Men. Men. And more men.

Why is that?

I have a theory.

We women are intimidated by those darn machines.

At least I am.

Seriously, have you LOOKED at some of them?

There are seats, pads, handles, levers, pins and approximately 47 different knobs. How do I adjust this thing to fit me? Where are my feet supposed to go? Am I sitting in it correctly? What does THIS lever do? How much weight should I use? And, perhaps most importantly…

How do I get out of this contraption without embarrassing myself?

Geezzz!

Welcome to “Fancy Gym”

I recently joined a new gym. I’ve decided to refer to it as Fancy Gym.

Fancy Gym has ALL the bells and whistles.

It also has strength-training machines I have never seen before in my life.

I walk past some of them thinking, What exactly is THAT contraption supposed to do?

As part of my new membership, I received a “free” personal-training session.

And by “free,” I mean I’m pretty sure I paid for it somewhere in those expensive new membership dues.

I also received a “free” goal-setting session with a personal trainer.

I chose Alex.

I’ve known Alex for several years because he used to work at another gym that—yes—I STILL belong to.

Apparently, I now collect gym memberships.

Alex knows me. He knows my fitness journey. He knows my regular personal trainer, Isaac. And, most importantly, I’m comfortable with him.

So when Alex and I sat down for my goal-setting session, I came prepared.

I had three goals.

Goal #1: This is THE year for strengthening my core, glutes and legs.

Goal #2: I want to stop being intimidated by all those fancy strength-training machines. Actually, let’s take it one step further. I want to become comfortable enough to walk up to them and use them BY MYSELF.

Goal #3: I want to get involved in the classes at Fancy Gym. I want to meet people, try new things and enjoy the social side of belonging to a gym community.

Since Alex and I had already completed my one-on-one training session, he knew enough about me to recommend some classes I could do now and a few more he thinks I’ll enjoy once I’m fully healed from my back surgery.

Yesterday, I tried the Barre class he recommended.

It challenged me.

And I liked it.

Actually, I liked it a lot.

I will definitely be going back.

Later today, I’m registered for one of the cardio classes he recommended.

So, Goal #3?

We’re underway.

But then we moved on to Goal #2.

Those machines.

Free Weights vs. The Contraptions

My regular personal trainer, Isaac, is more of a free-weights, body-weight, “let’s do your pushups and squats” kind of trainer.

He’s not really a “sit down on this machine and knock out three sets” kind of guy.

And I certainly can’t argue with the results I’ve had training with him. They’ve been awesome.

I plan to continue my training with Isaac but I also want another option.

When I’m working out by myself, I want to be able to walk into the strength-training area and know how to use those machines confidently.

I also like the fact that many machines guide your movement, which can make them a useful tool when you’re learning an exercise. That doesn’t mean you can ignore good form or proper setup—but I like having that structure when I’m training on my own.

There was just one little problem.

I needed to stop being afraid of them.

That’s when Alex gave me some advice.

Basically, he told me to pull up my big-girl pants and go figure it out.

Okay, Alex.

But then he gave me some practical suggestions.

If someone is using a machine I don’t understand, ask if they mind if I watch them do a few reps.

When they’re finished, ask if they’ll show me how they adjusted it.

And if I see a trainer who isn’t working with a client, ask for help.

In other words…

STOP STANDING THERE STARING AT THE MACHINE LIKE IT’S AN ALIEN SPACESHIP.

Ask somebody.

Learn.

Try it.

And then Alex did something he probably knew would work on me.

He issued a challenge.

Ohhhhh, Alex.

You know I love a challenge.

30 Machines in 30 Days

Here it is:

During the next 30 days, I have to find 30 different strength-training machines and learn how to use each one—CORRECTLY.

Not just sit down and start pulling on things.

I have to learn:

How to adjust it for my body.

Where my hands and feet belong.

Which muscles I’m supposed to be working.

How much weight is appropriate for me.

And how to perform the movement correctly.

Thirty machines.

Thirty days.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Yesterday, I tackled my first FOUR.

That’s right, Alex.

Four down.

Twenty-six to go.

GAME ON.

Ladies, Come With Me

So here’s my challenge to all the women reading this—especially those of us who aren’t 25 anymore.

The next time you walk into your gym, take a look around.

Are you automatically heading toward the treadmill because that’s where you feel comfortable?

Are you walking right past the strength-training equipment because you’re afraid you’ll look like you don’t know what you’re doing?

Are you telling yourself, Those machines aren’t for me?

Maybe it’s time to change that.

Because those machines don’t belong to the 25-year-old guy in the tank top.

They don’t belong to the bodybuilders.

They belong to us, too.

And at this stage of life, getting stronger isn’t just about how we look.

We want strong legs.

Strong glutes.

A strong core.

We want to carry our own groceries, lift our own suitcases, get up off the floor, climb stairs, travel, play with our grandkids and keep doing the things we love.

We want to stay strong and independent.

So I’m going to learn those machines.

I’m going to adjust the seats.

I’m going to move the pins.

I’m going to ask questions.

And I’m quite certain that sometime during the next 30 days, I’m going to sit backward on something.

But I’m going to learn.

Thirty machines in thirty days.

And if you’ve been intimidated by the strength-training side of your gym, I’m challenging YOU to join me.

Pick a machine.

Ask someone how it works.

Adjust it.

Start light.

Learn the movement.

Then come back tomorrow and learn another one.

We don’t have to know what we’re doing before we walk over there.

We just have to be willing to learn.

So pull up your big-girl pants.

We’re leaving the treadmill.

I’ll meet you over by the scary machines.