Tips for Getting Started at the Gym
By Brianna Ndemeye
With the new year around the corner, now is a great time to start your fitness journey. A great place to start improving your health is the gym. It can feel overwhelming if it’s you’re first time going to the gym, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 tips from a beginner to help you start on the right foot.
1. Remember that progress takes time
No matter what your goal is in the gym, it can take time to see. It can take around 3-4 months of consistent exercise to see significant physical differences. But don’t let this be discouraging! Take time and enjoy to process and you will reap the rewards.
2. Don’t over do it
While you’ll probably be eager to reach your goals in the gym, it’s important to take it slow. Dedicating specific days to different areas – like upper body, lower body, or core –and taking rest days will allow your body to get used to exercise. If you try lifting, it is crucial to use weight that challenges you, but isn’t too heavy to complete the exercise with good form. Finally, stretching before and after the gym is a good habit to prevent injury and reduce soreness.
3. Diet is everything
Going to the gym is only as effective as the fuel you give your body. Exercise of any kind burns a lot of energy that needs to be replenished through a healthy balanced diet. Unless you’re an extreme bodybuilder, you don’t have to get too specific in counting the exact “macros” – fats, proteins, and carbs – in your meals. Different goals like weight loss or muscle gain require different contents of each in your diet. An easy rule of thumb for starting out is to eat 3 meals a day and hydrate frequently.
4. Stay consistent
The longer you maintain a habit, the easier it gets. Making a consistent effort to exercise every week will help it become second nature. When it comes to resolutions, it’s very common to start strong but fall off in a few months when you lose motivation. But the best way to make the gym worth your while is to get over any humps and keep going!
5. Make it enjoyable
Most importantly, make the gym feel like fun. If going to the gym starts to feel like a chore, it can become harder to keep going. Listening to your favorite music, wearing clothes you feel confident in, or going with friends can make your experience more enjoyable. Finding something to look forward to while exercising will help you stay motivated for the long run.
It’s crucial to remember that going to the gym is a process. It may take a bit of time to really feel comfortable so taking it easy in the beginning is the best way to go. Taking this new step will require learning and discipline but with time, you will see the rewards of your efforts. Good luck!
