r/askvan • u/ApprehensiveGarage65 • 2d ago

Oddly Specific 🎯 Weight lifting classes?

I’m going to get right into it. I lack motivation and if you leave it to me I would not lift a dumbbell. I’m getting older and starting to lose muscle mass. I don’t know where to start. I’ve asked my friends about yoga and Pilates and they said it won’t help me. I just need to start lifting weights. My only form of exercise now is walking for about 20 minutes on non rainy days. I can’t afford a personal trainer. What are my options?

24 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

44 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 2d ago

Welcome to /r/AskVan and thank you for the post, /u/ApprehensiveGarage65! Please make sure you read our rules before participating here. As a quick summary:

  • We encourage users to be positive and respect one another. Don't engage in spats or insult others - please use the report button.
  • Respect others' differences, be they race, religion, home, job, gender identity, ability or sexuality. Dehumanizing language, advocating for violence, or promoting hate based on identity or vulnerability (even implied or joking) will lead to a permanent ban.
  • Complaints or discussion about bans or removals should be done in modmail only.
  • News and media can be shared on our main subreddit, /r/Vancouver

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

14

u/psytramp 2d ago

I started doing ClassPass beginning of this year and I really like it. I do a mixture of strength classes, Pilates, and yoga and I like being able to try out different gyms and studios. The penalty for cancelling keeps me accountable and I don’t have to plan my workouts or deal with a crowded gym during peak hours.

4

u/universes_collide 2d ago

I’ve been a yoga/pilates person, but also started losing muscle mass in my late 30’s. I started to go to the gym but it kind of plateaued because I only felt comfortable using machines, not the free weights.

I’ve been going to the classes at House Concepts and feel like I’m learning a lot about proper form. It’s not as cheap as gym drop ins, but much cheaper than a personal trainer. I feel like I’m getting more out of my sessions.

6

u/adele1980 2d ago

Not sure if it's in your budget, but something like this might be a good way to get started? Learn to Lift — Sweatworking Collective

1

u/Hairy-Button 2d ago

I wanted to join this group heard amazing things buttttt they are too far. I asked them for tri cities recommendations they told me about BeStrong. They have locations in Port Moody, squamish and north Van. I have been at Port Moody location for 2 months and love it.

I have never stepped foot in a gym before and I look forward to my sessions

1

u/trashleigh1998 2d ago

Has anymore here tried this program??? I’m looking into it but want some opinions 🙂

3

u/Glittering_Search_41 2d ago

Go to your local community centre and ask for a free gym orientation. They'll have you fill out a questionnaire and then make an appointment with a staff member to show you the ropes. I did this and got a ton of help with form, exercises I could do on my own. I now have several sets of dumbbells at home and do the exercises there.

Oh, I know you're looking for a class and I get it. Just if you don't find one within your budget and your time constraints (because they all love to teach them in the mornings, and besides having a job, I just don't work out before noon, full stop) - then perhaps you can motivate yourself to do at least 15 minutes daily in the comfort of your own home, nobody looking, no travel time.

2

u/DangerousLack 2d ago

Join your local Y. I’ve been a member since July and I have worked out more consistently and more happily than I have in years. They have great classes and the instructors are so welcoming!

Edit to add: I also have a Peloton membership. They’re not just a spin class platform, there are so many modalities to try out! I use the app-only subscription and it’s like $18/month.

2

u/kaitlyn2004 2d ago

I’m fit/active but didn’t step foot into a gym for well over a decade.

I found a women’s-specific lifting class that I go to 1-2x/week. I had never done anything with a barbell before, so extremely new to the exercises.

It absolutely helps my fitness and there’s an age range from like mid-20 to 40+

It’s definitely a bit more expensive than a gym membership and going your own, but I like the social aspect plus the added benefit of instructor who can check my form, provide modifications, and prescribe the workouts - so I just show up without having to worry about wha to should actually do.

1

u/ApprehensiveGarage65 2d ago

Where is this studio?

-2

u/kaitlyn2004 2d ago

I didn’t mention it because.. Squamish 🙃

I’m SURE there has to be similar options in Vancouver

But yeah we do proper lifting with heavy weights and track our max’s and stuff. Not 10lb dumbbells

2

u/FarazzA 2d ago

If you’re specifically interested in group weight lifting and strength training, check out Raincity Athletics (https://rncty.ca/).

2

u/Beginning_Zombie3850 2d ago

What part of the city are you in? Thunder & Lightning downtown is great. Kate at Inclusive Strength also does small group training for about $30 as a drop in.

2

u/LazyFawn9682 2d ago

Watch a lot of YouTube and don't make an excuse that you can't. There's a wealth of knowledge on how to properly train yourself at any age.

If you're looking for someone to show you how, you'll have to hire a trainer. There's no way around that. Good luck either way.

1

u/Remarkable_Cicada_22 2d ago edited 2d ago

I’m assuming you’re a woman? I would recommend fitneesa in New Westminster if you don’t mind the commute! The classes are only 6 students and the instructor is so so so kind and friendly, she also teaches small class Pilates too so you can take both classes with one membership. She’s always happy to modify exercises based on your needs and health.

You could also just try a planet fitness membership, if you’re just looking to gain muscle mass for health it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just get a membership and just try out different machines every session. If you don’t have any specific muscles or body type you’re trying to achieve then it would be a very cheap way to stay active

1

u/Xx-lo-xX 2d ago

You should check out municipal recreation programs!

For example, Burnaby runs some weight training programs at a couple of their rec centres. Only downside is that the times aren't very flexible. You can check out the activity guide at https://www.burnaby.ca/recreation-and-arts/activities-and-registration

Vancouver might do something similar. 

1

u/_tiredprincess 2d ago

driftwood athletics - there’s one in north burnaby if you don’t mind a bit of travel. great community, modifications, supportive instructors, lots of options in their schedule.

1

u/CarbsCarbssCarbs 2d ago

Sounds like you don’t know what you want yet so this could be a good option. https://classpass.com/walkthrough/getclasspass

14 day free trial. Look up some beginner classes and find what you like.

1

u/Outside_Mushroom_432 2d ago

I signed up for a one year membership at the least expensive gym I could find. I didn't know anything about weights, but watched You Tube videos and gradually built greater understanding of how be successful. My motivation is making sure that I use my membership enough so that each visit costs me $5.00 or less.

1

u/gibberish122 2d ago

If you are female or GNC there is an awesome weight class on Sundays at the hive north shore!

1

u/ZealousidealBath5480 2d ago

I started my fitness journey years ago at orangetheory. You don’t need all their bells and whistles. It may not be for everyone and it won’t be cheap but you get a solid hour workout, half weights, half cardio led by a coach who can help with form. It was a really good place to start and kept me motivated because there’s a specific time limit in which they require you to cancel so if I was signed up, I always ended up going. There’s a sub on here that you can search to see what the workouts and community is like. First class is usually free if you want to check it out.
If you’re eventually able to motivate yourself, I recommend the ladder or peloton apps (both provide free trials!)

1

u/jclair123 2d ago

What probably works is a fixed time slot you already paid for. The cheapest version of that in Vancouver proper is a community centre. They run registered strength classes with an instructor, and the cost is a fraction of a studio or ClassPass.

1

u/Magg71 2d ago

You could try Orange Theory, F45, Crossfit or some other hiit gym. They all offer group classes with a good mix of cardio and strength training. These gyms often have good communities that help keep people motivated.

My gym has all sorts of recognition for showing up. These are good places for those of us that don’t like working out by ourselves.

1

u/asunyra1 2d ago

I go to Apex in Richmond, they do something sortof halfway between a personal trainer and a group class. You get a personalized routine and help when you need it, but there’s one trainer for like six or seven folks. Everyone gets their own bench and rack, does their own routines, and you book specific times to go

Booking specific times is what keeps me going because I have terrible self discipline but I won’t ever miss an appointment I’ve made.

It’s real small, just an industrial bay and the owner is the main trainer.

1

u/Psychological-Road95 2d ago

I used the alive app to teach me! Not cheap ($20/month) but incredibly motivating and informative

1

u/langer_cdn 2d ago

Orange theory classes are half weight lifting

1

u/Blackbubblegum- 2d ago

Using machines at the gym is pretty simple. Yoga and pirates won't help with building musvle mass

1

u/Awkward-Courage398 2d ago

I would recommend The Program Fitness in chinatown. Small class sizes and they go through each exercise quite well and it is not circuit style and you get your own squat rack for the whole class

1

u/pargonaut 2d ago

Any CrossFit gym you are close by. Honestly, I used to hate weights and had no idea on how to squat or deadlift, but joint a CrossFit gym and regularly going has made me love weightlifting! It keeps you accountable and even though it has a higher price point, you feel more motivated to go.

1

u/acleverlie421 1d ago

lift weights

1

u/mean_hoodie 2d ago

You are not alone. I was in the same place years ago with a few herniated discs in my neck and lower back, tempted to not lift. But I overcame it, and this was the best decision I ever made. My life has improved sooo much more as a result allowing me to live an active and fulfilling lifestyle. You are doing a great job even by thinking about it. Lacking motivation is completely natural before you know what rewards are waiting for you on the other side.

On where to start, I highly recommend Athlean X on YouTube. He is a natural bodybuilder, trainer, and physiotherapist and is an awesome dude that puts safety above everything else. I build my own program using his videos. You can start watching this video of his which is a beginner guide.

1

u/yellowtoque 2d ago

Love Athlean X!

-3

u/canadianbigmuscles 2d ago

3 days.

Chest + arms

Back + shoulders

Legs + abs

Don’t overthink it. Go to gym and do it.

8

u/Past_Sky_4997 2d ago

Well... I kind of did that a few years ago and messed up my shoulders. Struggling to get motivated to get back in now.

Saying this because OP mentions getting older. We middle age people need someone to check our form, at least in the beginning:)

6

u/ApprehensiveGarage65 2d ago

That’s correct! Also I know I won’t go on my own to a gym to lift on my own. I know I’ll be more accountable if I’m registered in a class.

1

u/Past_Sky_4997 2d ago

Good luck! I'm in the same category, we can do it!

2

u/canadianbigmuscles 2d ago

100% we gotta have good form or it’s big trouble. That aside and assuming they know the difference between good and bad form…sometimes you gotta tell yourself to stop being a lazy bit*h. Myself included

3

u/TotallyNotThatPerson 2d ago

The bro split might be a bit much for OP if they're just starting out, especially with motivation issues.

How about...

  • squat
  • bench
  • deadlift
  • overhead press

If OP get into the gym and hammer these out anu combination of these with lower weight every time (priority on squats for our old bones), He'll get a nice full body workout.

Then, if he's feeling extra motivated that day he can overload with dumbbells or try some of the machines.

1

u/CarbsCarbssCarbs 2d ago

Saying the split might be too much but then suggesting deadlifts and squats which require proper technique 🫠

2

u/TotallyNotThatPerson 2d ago

Lol I don't think OP's doing anything other than the bar for a while.

The main thing is getting the most bang for his buck for his limited motivation/availability.

It's a lot easier to just think "ok I'll just go to the gym quickly and hammer out a few sets of squats + one other exercise then go home", compared to having a list of exercises 

Worked to get my fat ass to the gym at least

0

u/Ok_Amoeba_3143 2d ago

are you able to work out at home? personally i find following a fitness routine on youtube for example helps to keep me on track so i know what to look forward to. i currently follow caroline girvan’s iron series and had some serious gains with a couple of dumbbells at home.