gym tips

You may be driven indoors if the Summer heat makes your workouts unbearable. Since not everyone is a fan of the gym, here are some solutions to your gym gripes.

Waiting for equipment because the gym is too crowded
Find out when your gym is least busy, and if your schedule allows for it, go during those off times like 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. If you're locked into going before or after work when everyone else seems to hit the gym, give less popular equipment a try. Or, do some strength training moves while you wait.

High membership prices
Gyms sometimes offer deals if you join with a friend or sign up for a certain amount of time. If there aren't any deals to be had, choose a gym that offers exactly what you use, so you're not paying for amenities that you don't need like a sauna or pool.

Annoying people
Whether they're gabbing on their cell phone or trying to flirt with you while you do your reps, annoying people will always be at your gym — it's how you deal with them that will affect your workout. You could always secretly complain to the staff, especially if there are rules about cell phones. Or do what I do, which is put on my headphones, focus on my workout, and ignore everyone else.

Continue reading for other ways to deal with why you hate the gym.

We all have our moments of weakness at the gym. And by weakness, I don't mean that you suddenly lose the ability to lift 12-pound dumbbells over your head; I mean mental weakness, loss of motivation, and neglect of proper technique. Let's face it, we tend to go easier on ourselves than a personal trainer would. Since we all cannot afford to shell out the big bucks to have a personal trainer push us, I spoke with Lauren Fairbanks, an Equinox trainer, about common workout mistakes. She's spent some time making people sweat and has been able to catalog four common problems she sees regularly at the gym. Fear not, she's going to help us fix these issues, too.

• It's not always about speed: Lauren sees a lot of people "going through repetitions way too quickly." Blazing through your reps means you're not working through the full range of motion of your muscles and joints. You're often sacrificing form for speed. The simple fix is slow it down, focus on the quality of your movement, and check your form in the mirror. If you're not sure you're doing an exercise correctly, check with the front desk to find the trainer on the floor. There should be a trainer hanging out on the gym floor, helping gym patrons with questions on form and how to work certain machines.
• One set is never enough: Lauren also comes across gym goers short-changing themselves and only doing one set of an exercise. Research has shown that doing two to three sets of an exercise will make you over 40 percent stronger than just doing one. Lauren suggests you "shoot for at least two to four sets of any exercise." The fix just might be to push yourself a little bit harder. You're tougher than you think!

See if you're guilty of the last two mistakes.

It's crowded at the gym right now. Folks are making good on their New Year's resolution to get fit, and gyms are responding in kind by slashing enrollment fees. For longtime gym rats, this influx of new members is both good and bad. We love seeing people get healthy, but when newbies don't know proper gym etiquette, it's kind of annoying. Luckily, the gym code of conduct is easy enough.

• Always clean equipment properly — The gym is a breeding ground for germs; do your part by thoroughly cleaning any equipment you use. Make sure to use a clean towel and disinfectant, and wipe down everything that your body came into contact with. We also make it a habit to wipe down machines before using them. Viruses and superbugs can linger on gym equipment, and there is no way to know that the person before you cleaned the machine that you're using.
• Honor machine time limits — Every hour seems to be a peak hour at the gym right now. Don't piss off another member by being a treadmill hog. If people are waiting for equipment, make sure that you adhere to your gym's posted time limits. If 30 minutes just isn't enough time for your workout, choose a less popular machine to work out on instead of the treadmill or elliptical. If you're dealing with a treadmill hog, don't hover. Ask them nicely to honor the machine time limits or get someone who works at the gym to do it for you.
• Err on the side of caution with other members — It's great making friends at the gym, but don't overdo it. Not everyone likes to have their ear chatted off (especially in class), and unsolicited advice is usually frowned upon. Along these same lines, don't stare at people, gab loudly on your cell phone, or sing along with your iPod.
• Practice proper hygiene — Since gyms get hot and sweaty, they also get pretty smelly. Make sure the clothes that you're wearing are clean and don't be afraid of deodorant. Also, leave off any strong perfumes or scented lotions since other members might be allergic. Practice proper hygiene in the locker room and make a point to be tidy since it's a shared space.

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Everyone hates the gym sometimes. Recently, Kelly Osbourne admitted, "Working out f--cking sucks!" Try five stars' tricks for making the most of your time at the gym — even when it's the last place you want to be.

Osbourne, who's shed 40 pounds since her stint on Dancing With the Stars, says she dresses up for fitness motivation. "I know people say, 'Don't wear makeup at the gym,' but I am that girl that wears makeup at the gym," she confessed. "I don't wear mascara, but I put foundation on and blush and a little lip gloss. It really does help. If you don't like your reflection, you don't want to go back. I don't want to look at myself looking gross."

Modern Family's sassy Sofia Vergara doesn't like to work out, but she still finds a way to fit in exercise. She says, "I'm not athletic. But I love dancing to Latin music, so I have a trainer who dances with me for an hour, three times a week. Nobody wants to see Gloria with a flat ass!"

To maintain her bootylicious body, Beyonce's workouts include 100 squats, step-ups and walking lunges (each!). We're not surprised she needs an extra push to get through that grueling regimen. The multi-talented singer and actress keeps a painting of an Oscar at the gym, so she's literally running towards her next goal. "I look at it, and I'm like OK, I have to stay in shape," she admits.

Twilight: Eclipse actress Bryce Dallas Howard relies on a support system to stay in shape. "I created a fitness club with five friends. We have created a system of group rewards, weekly check-ins with each other, and group penalties if one of us slacks off," she says. "It's often so much easier to let myself down than to let someone I love down."

To get ahead of her competition, tennis champ Serena Williams exercises in the a.m. "Training early in the morning can give you an edge — knowing the other girl is sleeping while you're out there sweating," she says. Working out early gives you a burst of adrenaline and a sense of accomplishment, plus it'll help you stay more alert and energized throughout the day.

What's your trick for getting to the gym?

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• 5 Ways to Learn to Love Yoga
• New Year's Resolution? Try 2011's Hottest Fitness Classes!