Going to the gym - you either love it, hate it, or have a tepid relationship with it. If you have never been to the gym, all of the machines might be intimidating. If you have been going for a while, you may find your progress plateauing and you might be having doubts about continuing your routine. Whatever the case may be, you might benefit from trying something new. Keep reading for some tips on how to make the most of your visit to the gym.

Know Why You're There

If you are going to go to the gym, it is ideal to have some sort of idea or goal in mind so you are not aimlessly wandering around. Do you have a workout in mind? Are you meeting with your personal trainer? Whatever the reason is, you will not make the most out of your visit if you have no idea what is going on.

Keep it Varied

There is always a new class or machine to try. Been wanting to try Zumba? Go for it! Want to conquer the Stairmaster? Take a crack at it! Variety is the spice of life, and changing up your routine might be just the way to go if you are experiencing boredom every time you walk through the gym doors.

Work In Groups

Depending on what your goals are, you might be wondering how and when to work out. A lot of people have dedicated days where they work on a specific muscle group. Doing so helps you work out on a regular basis while making sure everything gets equal attention. If you are looking to find a way to work at your limit without overworking yourself, try a one rep max calculator.

Pack Your Earbuds

If you are not a fan of faint music and the clanging of various equipment, you might want to bring your own form of entertainment along. Go through your library and make a workout playlist to pump you up, or pull up an episode of your favorite show if you are going on a machine like a treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike.

Water Is Your Friend

If you go hard enough in the gym, you will be sweating like crazy. Take a water bottle with you and keep it full. Try to drink twice as much water as you think you will need. If you do not want to drink plain water, something with electrolytes, such as a sports drink, will be fine.

Rest and Recharge

Before you go to the gym, you need to get a good night's sleep. After an intense workout, it is imperative that you get proper rest. It may seem like a lot, but you have just put your body through a lot. Your muscles have small tears. You have burned fat inside yourself and made all of your organs work harder. After all of that hard work, your body needs time to heal itself for the next workout. Make sure to get plenty of rest. As much as you may be tempted to work out seven days a week, you need at least one day to let your body heal itself, especially if you are just getting started with a routine.

The gym can be a place of joy if you do it right.  No matter what, do not give up. If you aren't satisfied with the results, change it up and keep trying. As soon as you figure out what you want and get adjusted to working toward your goal, it will become even easier to keep coming back.