No matter how many years of training we have under our belts, we all remember that FIRST day at the gym! And while some of us were lucky enough to go with a friend … for the majority of us the experience was, to say the least, intimidating and overwhelming!

At StrongHer we try to do things differently, and our gym inductions are no exception! Today we catch up with our senior coach, Abi, on what a StrongHer gym induction is, what to expect, and how to make the best out of it! So, first things first, what on earth is a gym induction? You can think of it as your ‘welcome’ to the gym, your ‘meet & greet’ and a tour all at the same time! 

There are two main parts to it: the equipment & space and health & safety. Your coach will show you around the gym, introduce you to the main machines and equipment, and answer any questions you might have about how to use them. They’ll also give you the basics of gym etiquette - stuff like putting your weights back once you’ve finished using them! 

Why is health and safety important? 

- This is all about how to train in a way that is safe for you and those around you. Always remember there’s some heavy a** equipment  (that you’ll be lifting soon!) that could be dangerous if not handled properly. Your coachwill talk to you about how to prevent injuries - think warming up, stretching, hydrating, etc. 

All sounds straightforward, so is that it?

For a lot of gyms out there - yes, that’s it. But not at StrongHer! We strongly believe that exercise should fit the individual, not the other way around! So, we want to know what YOU want to achieve in the gym. You will have to fill out a form when booking your induction - the more detailed your responses, the better! BUT don’t fret if you aren’t too sure how to answer some of the questions - you’ll get a chance to discuss these in person! Based on your responses, your coach will chat to you about some exercises you’d want to do, some you might want to avoid (due to a pre-existing injury, for example) and get you on to a FREE 4-week online training program. The goal? We want you to feel like you have a plan when you come to your first solo gym sesh!

Abi, you’ve worked at StrongHer for almost three years now, why would you say it’s different to other gyms and fitness spaces?

Because it’s more than just a gym space full of barbells and plates - it’s a community (aka the StrongHERD). During your induction, you’ll get to know one of our amazing coaches a bit better, you’ll meet some of our lovely studio staff and might even catch our founders - Sam and Tig (make sure to say hi!). As a part of the StrongHERD, you’ll be invited to all of our events - from fitness comps, through summer festivals to Christmas jumper days. Make sure to join our Whatsapp group too, which never fails to deliver on all StrongHer related questions and random ad-hoc requests! You’ve just joined a truly exceptional group of women - why not make the best out of it? 

What advice would you give to people just starting out?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions - if you don’t ask, you’re not going to be getting the most out of your sessions! We are a friendly bunch! Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, so don’t be so hard on yourself for being a beginner. Remember that other members are in the same position as you - so say hi and chat - be curious, ask questions and maybe throw in a high five if they’ve just absolutely smashed it on the bench press.

Timeline of the induction process: 

1. Fill out that special induction form we told you about! 

2. It’s Induction day - yay - make sure to come to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time so you can check in with our front-of-house team, drop all your stuff off in the changing rooms, and get ready. 

3. Your coach will meet you at your induction time, have a chat, get to know you, and take your blood pressure (health and safety people!)

4. Gym tour! A chance for you to ask any questions about the gym equipment and find out where everything is so you can hit the ground running for your first session. Your coach will talk to you about your fitness goals and aspirations

5. Your coach will help you get set up on Trainerize, which is the app where your free four-week gym programme lives (designed by our very own Abi, and while it’s optional we highly recommend it!)

6. You successfully completed your gym induction!

7. You will receive a follow-up email packed with useful tips and advice for navigating the gym in your first few weeks.

The gym is known to be an intimidating space … but we’re changing this at StrongHer, one gym induction at a time! We’ve designed these ones with one thing only in mind - YOU. If you feel comfortable, confident, and excited by the end of it - it means we’ve done our job! So let’s get right into it - book your induction NOW!