I go to the gym independently ! When I first went, I had a guy from the staff show me around every machine. Gyms are usually organized in a way that makes sense (like my gym is organized in four sections and in rows. Every row has a different machine, free weights are lined on the right wall of the gym and them are organized from lightest to heaviest, bunch of little stuff like that that stays consistent). I had the staff member explain the layout to me, i wrote it down on my phone and memorized it, now I know where every machine is. I never went to a gym before loosing my sight so I was double confused because I didn’t know what the machines did anyway. Got the dude to explain how they work and how to load the weights and now I just know how to do it it’s not that hard when you get used to it

I’d just ask at the front desk. They’ll probably be happy to show you around. You could probably buy some personal training sessions too. A PT would help you learn a routine and how to use the weights.

I go to the gym usually twice a week. My new gym is just a block away so I can walk there, but usually I choose to rely on my friend to hang out with me and guide me.

I am lucky in that my gym down the road has machines where I can more easily set the speed and intensity dials rather than a touch screen. For weight lifting machines I get my friend to help me find the weights and set them in balance.

I know some of the staff at my gym fairly well, though I still would prefer working out with someone rather than just having a trainer.

Any decent gym will want to do an introductory session with any new member regardless of disability. They'll discuss with you what you want to get out of it, whether it's cardiovascular fitness to avoid dying early of a heart attack, or strength training or whatever else. Then they'll suggest a program of things to do. Sometimes they'll want paying for that, which is fair enough, but the idea is that you end up with some proper advice about what you should be doing. Some of that is safety advice both for when you are using machines, and for the long term to ensure you don't end up injuring yourself by doing stuff wrong.

If they are not offering that find somewhere that will. Then they'll build any extra help you need into that process and it should be pretty easy.

When I go to the gym I get the services from a personal trainer.

Thank you for responding. That’s interesting and impressive at the same time! How do you know the weights? Suppose you want to load 50 pounds on the bar or a machine, how do you do that?

Blind people who work out in commercial gyms independently need to be extra vigilant and cautious about safety. They also need to pay extra attention to their form, particularly when working with barbells and other free weights.

Most people have headphones on and aren’t paying attention to their surroundings in the gym. So, a dropped barbell or collision can instantly result in injury for the blind person or someone else. I shouldn’t think about the number of times I’ve almost walked into someone while doing lunges or carrying dumbbells or almost gotten a hand or finger smashed while unwracking or rewracking weights. I’m not saying don’t go. Just be careful.

Hire a trainer to show you how to perform free weight exercises, adjust settings on squat wracks, and change levers and safety pins. Ask a friend or staff member to show you the layout so you can get around on your own. Expect that some people will balk at the idea of a blind person moving around independently in the gym--They’re probably being overprotective, but you should respond in a way that makes it clear that you understand and can handle legitimate safety concerns. You’ll gain more confidence with comfort. Limit how much you use headphones. Carefully approach equipment to see if someone else is already there. Always use your cane but consider supplementing with echo location (or an arm up in front of you) to find protruding obstacles.

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