Here’s a hodgepodge of thoughts I can think of:
Pre-gym
Clothing: Wear something comfortable. It’s not a fashion show (I’m not accusing you, personally, but I’ve seen some horrors). I prefer material that wicks and keeps me cool. This means a shirt made of synthetic fibers. As for your husband, I’d recommend longish running shorts. There are some running shorts out there that are short shorts, not those. These will come down to an inch or two above the knee and have a lining to keep the naughty bits in place (meaning no need for a jockstrap/underwear). Make sure to get the kind with stretchy material to allow good range of motion (Nike and Adidas are two brands which make 'em). Socks, I prefer ankle length to keep me cool and to prevent rubbing from the shoes on my skin. Shoes, depends on what you’re doing. If you’re a runner, get running shoes. If you’re planning on doing aerobics; cross trainers are what you need. I just invested in some running shoes and I can now get on the treadmill without getting shin splints. It’s a beautiful thing.
Towels: Does your gym provide them or do you? If you do, you’ll want presumably two towels. One for the shower and a smaller towel for working out. My gym provides towels and I always use mine to cover up where I’m going to sit to keep my sweatiness transfers to a minimum. Add shower flip flops here as needed.
Gym bag: It seems hard(ish) to find a perfect sized duffle bag that’s not too big and not too small. I prefer mine to have a plastic like lining to keep the stink in and so it’s easy to wipe down if it gets too funky.
Heart rate monitor: Completely optional and sometimes it’s more fun than anything. I spent $36 on this Timex only to find that it doesn’t work when my iPod is on. (Otherwise, it’s great for the treadmill which picks up my heart rate without having to hold on to the bar).
Headphones/MP3 player: I am in the minority as I prefer the in-ear buds which block out the noise of the TVs and grunts and all of the rest of audible flotsam and jetsam. They do pop out from time to time, but I’ve found the over-the-ear ones to be fussy and then the outside world hears what I’m listening to.
Waterbottle: I’m a fan of the waterbottle. More it’s because a doctor friend of mine had warned me of the dangers of the drinking fountain and how contagious it can be (whether that’s true or not, I never verified), but I prefer having it on hand. Make sure it’s one that can be sealed as some gyms require that much, and some do not allow them on the floor at all.
Workout journal: Another optional thing. You can get a “fancy” one at Border’s/BN/Amazon and keep track of your progress or just use a standard notepad. I like mine as I actually enjoy seeing my strides in a more black and white format.
Pre-workout
The equipment: Get a full tour of the facilities with instructions on how to use all of the machines. I’ve been working out, mostly on but sometimes off, for the last 16 years and I just learned how to use a machine this morning. And there are always new pieces being added too. Learn how to use these safely and properly and it will help keep your workouts more interesting instead of getting stuck in a rut and using the same back machine all the time.
The workout
The routine: There is so much information and “information” out there about what to do, when to do it, how to do it, et al. Some say to stretch before you start, some say to stretch at the end. From what I’ve read, I warm up for 15 minutes doing cardio, then do a full body stretch, then going into weight lifting, then end with 30-60 minutes of cardio. That’s my routine that I discussed with my personal trainer when I started. I could be screwing up my body completely or I could be doing things mostly right. So far, I haven’t had any injuries, so it’s worked for me and it might not work for someone else.
Etiquette
The simplest part; leave everything as you found it or better. Return the weights to the racks, wipe the seats down, return the machine to a position that allows the next person to enter if needed.
Don’t be a machine squatter. It’s nice that you want to get caught up in your magazine or book, but stand up and move your stuff away from the machine in between reps. Let others use it. Which also means that if you want to go back and forth between two machines, that doesn’t give you the right to leave your towel/waterbottle/newspaper on the machine you’re not using. (Sorry, there’s a person at the gym that does that and it drives me nuts.)
Keep the grunting and loud talking to a minimum. It’s not a library, but it’s a communal space. Some folks need the concentration while they’re lifting 350lbs above their head.
On time for a fitness class=late. Most everyone is in there a couple minutes before it starts to map out a place, set up equipment, and maybe talk with the instructor. Get to a 6:30 class at 6:30 means that by the time you get your stuff, you’ll have to be weaving around people and encroaching on someone’s territory. It can be disruptive to a class and to others who were there timely.
Random Tips
At the gyms I go to, Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturday late afternoons are the best days to go if you want to avoid the traffic. Most folks around here have there MWF schedules and the gym can be at near capacity at that point which isn’t much fun.
Podcasts, podcasts, podcasts. NPR’s Car Talk and This American Life are about an hour long and can make that time on the elliptical just breeze by.
Set a time in advance of when you’re going to the gym and stick to it. I get up at 5:30am to go and if I start to think of an excuse not to go, I get stubborn with myself and know that the excuse shall not win out. This is even better if you’ve got a workout partner to hold you to it (and bragging rights if you’re the only one who goes).
My motivation has been my weightloss and muscle gain. I keep a chart of where I am, where and when my goal is, and I update it at least weekly. My gym also tracks how many times I come to the gym which has me trying to keep it to at least 20 times a month. Keep a chart of miles run on the treadmill with the speed and incline and see if you can go further/faster or the tension and distance on an elliptical.
Lastly, just have fun.