Hi Logan, thank you so much for your question! While I am not a nutritionist or certified trainer, I can share some tips that have helped me. As a general rule, one must take in the same number of protein grams as their body weight on a daily basis just to “maintain” their current muscle mass. To actually gain muscle, you must consistently exceed that through a combo of food sources and shakes, all while keeping up your weight lifting program! That’s why very few people actually succeed at it, and that’s why the Rock has his personal chef prepare 9 whole chickens for him every day ha! Also ...

The first decision to make is what you are looking for from your gym experience. That could be weight loss, muscle tone, endurance building, etc. Some people love loud music and highly involved trainers while others enjoy a quieter environment that is more meditation driven. Once you have your goals in mind and the atmosphere you are looking for, you can go from there. Read reviews online, ask friends what they think, and even reach out to the gym to see if your goals align!

It is ALL about perspective. If you view going to the gym as something you "have to" or "need to" do, you will realize very quickly that you will be reluctant to get there. Exercise for me is a stress reliever, a tool to socialize, a brain break, an outlet to challenge myself, and a way to take care of my body. You won't get yourself to the gym through shame or guilt; however, you will proudly and energetically walk in when you do it for a better you!

My two favorite machines are the treadmill and the rower! I love interval training on the treads (mixing my paces with differing focuses on endurance, strength and power). The rower is a super underrated machine that is great cardio that is easier on joints. I highly recommend utilizing both of these!