What Actually Happens in Your taster Session at dynamo
Not sure what to expect from your TASTER session? Here’s a step-by-step account of what actually happens and how to make it less daunting.
For a lot of people, a big barrier to starting the gym (alongside motivation!) can be not knowing what to expect from the gym you plan to attend, not wanting to look like you don’t know what you’re doing in front of a room full of people who apparently do. Another thing that can be anxiety-provoking is if you don’t even know what the gym looks like.
Here’s what can you do before your first session at Dynamo Gym to reduce your justified anxiety and concerns.
Book a tour
Before even booking a taster session, you can book a tour with us. This way you get to meet us, ask any questions you have, and have a look around the gyms. This can be so helpful for those who are feeling anxious about attending Dynamo, so do make sure to take advantage of this if that sound like you. After this, book in your taster session with the information we will have sent you either by email, or by WhatsApp.
Before you attend your taster session
Wear something you feel comfortable in. You don’t need any specialist gym kit. Anything you can move freely in is fine. Trainers with a flat sole are generally better than cushioned running shoes for strength training, but any trainers will do to start.
Bring a bottle of water, and you may want to bring a towel too if you wish.
Eat something beforehand. It doesn’t have to be a big meal, but it’s often best not train on empty. A light meal or snack (banana or apple as a good example of a snack) 1 to 2 hours before is helpful.
As we have a booking system for attending the gym, it helps to create a layer of accountability. This can be a very useful tool to help keep that extrinsic motivation for you to attend.
When you arrive
At Dynamo, you’ll be welcomed by a coach who knows you’re coming. There’s no navigating a big anonymous space. You’ll be shown where things are and taken through a workout that suits YOUR ability. You won’t have to keep up with anyone. You’ll have filled out your PAR-Q, so we’ll be aware of any health conditions or injuries, and take that into consideration. If there’s anything you’ve forgotten, you can always let the coach know of course.
The session itself
At Dynamo, unlike other small group training gyms, you won’t be doing the same as anyone else, and they won’t be doing the same as you. As mentioned, you’ll be doing your own workout that the coach will be taking you through. You’ll be shown each exercise, how to set it up, and what the movement should look and feel like. You’ll work through it with the coach available throughout. Make sure to stay hydrated, though you won’t necessarily sweat quite as much as you would when you do aerobic exercise.
We always suggest to go “too easy”. The session is just so you get to experience the gym, not to work super hard. This is to mitigate the delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) that you’ll experience over the next day or two that you’ll likely feel from doing novel exercises (this is very normal!). In saying that, of course if you want to work a bit harder, do always request.
Ask any questions that come up during your session, about how the gym works, the membership and anything fitness related. That’s what the coach is there to do.
After
Eat a proper meal with protein within a couple of hours. Make sure to hydrate. We will send you an email and/or a WhatsApp message with information on how to join and you can of course ask any other questions you might have in response to that.
If you do decide to join, that’s great! Upon joining you will receive a programme request form. Fill that in upon receipt and you’ll be sent your bespoke programme ASAP. If you haven’t got your programme yet, still do attend and we can ad-lib your programme for you (like in the taster session) until you receive it.
What makes the first session easier
The single biggest thing that makes a first gym session less intimidating is knowing one of us coaches is there and expecting you and will be helping you with what you’re doing. That’s why Dynamo has such a good retention rate with the membership. The barrier to walking through the door is lower when it doesn’t feel anonymous.
At Dynamo, we run free taster sessions specifically so that your first experience of our gym is as easy as possible. You’ll be coached through a session, meet some members, and see if it feels right with no pressure to join.