First and foremost: I am not a personal trainer. I have no accreditation. I am not a nutritionist, a doctor, or an expert on genetics.

What I am is a guy who has learned from his own mistakes. Over 10 years of going to the gym on a semi-regular basis (to start) has taught me a number of valuable lessons that I would like to pass on. If you're already somewhat experienced in the gym, this article isn't for you. But if you've just started at the gym and are feeling lost, or if you're just considering making the plunge for the first time here are some tips that most people never hear about until it's too late.

Avoid Peak Hours if Possible I don't care if you're an experienced gym rat or a rank amateur, this is the best advice I can give anyone about their training regimen. Nothing is more aggravating than trying to get in and out of the gym only to have to wait in line for equipment, or make adjustments on the fly to your routine. Peak hours at any facility are between 3 PM and 7:30PM, during the times when most everyone gets off of work. Rightfully so, these people are just trying to get their sweat on before dinner.

If you're one of these people, don't get discouraged. Have a definitive plan of what you want to do once you get to the gym and try to hit them all as expediently as you can without too many distractions. Best advice? Go before work or after dinner.

Don't Believe The Hype Be honest. You're going to the gym to look better and feel better about yourself. No matter how many magazines, advertisements and testimonials you hear about fad diets and whatever else You need to face the facts. You will Not lose 38 pounds in 2 weeks, you will not trim 10 inches off your waist in only 3 minutes a day, and you can not survive on ice cream alone.

Sorry folks, it just doesn't work that way. If you to go all out and try to make radical changes overnight the best case scenario is that you'll start to see some gains only to burn out, crash and likely end up back where you started. Positive changes to your health and physique can take time to achieve. More importantly than training your body, you need to train your mind and spirit to accept the level of focus and commitment required to make fitness a part of your lifestyle.

Don't Be a Hero If you're going to the gym to impress girls, meet guys or to show off your "natural athletic abilities" you are going to get hurt. I have seen too many beginners push themselves too hard for one of the above

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