One of the first fitness tips for beginners that I always give is that you’re not competing against anyone but yourself. You’re also not going to the gym to impress anyone, so don’t worry about getting the latest gym clothing. Wear something comfortable that also supports you through jumping jacks and pushups. Wear something that’s made of fabric that breathes and fits well. Try on the clothing before you buy it and make moves that you think mimic those you’ll do in the gym. When it’s winter, layer clothing and always make sure you have comfortable supportive shoes.
You can’t out-exercise a bad diet.
This can’t be emphasized enough. Whether you’re working out for good health, gain muscle or lose weight, what you put in your mouth is as important as how many reps you do. If you’re grabbing a large fry and a jumbo soft drink after your workout, not only are you eating over twice as many calories as you burned, you’re also eating empty calories. That type of meal not only won’t help your health, it will harm it, so you’ve gained nothing for your time in the gym. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t workout. It means you should add healthy eating to your fitness program.
Set goals for yourself.
Goal setting is so important for any beginner. That’s one reason working with a trainer is important, but you can also do it on your own. Set goals for the number of reps you want to achieve, how much weight you want to lift or how far you want to walk or run. Make it tough enough to keep it interesting, but still within your capabilities. Remember, you can break big goals down to smaller goals. In fact, it’s smart to do that to keep yourself motivated.
Don’t expect it to be easy or quick.
If your workout is a snap, you’re not working hard enough. You want to push yourself a bit. Try talking while you’re working out. It should be tough to do. There’s a workout called Karaoke spinning where you ride a bike and sing along with your favorite song at the same time. If you’re really pushing your bike riding, you’ll have a super tough time doing it. Don’t over do it initially. The first day you may be tempted to workout longer. That’s a mistake that will leave you sore. Make the first few workouts shorter and easier, working up toward your goal. Your body will thank you.
- Make your workout an appointment. You’ll be more likely to go workout when you have a specific time and date to do it.
- Learn the right form, no matter what type of workout you do. Doing an exercise improperly can cause injury or minimize the benefits you’ll receive.
- Make sure you always warm up before working out and include a cool down session when your workout is over.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Keep a bottle of water with you, particularly in warm weather, but also during the winter. Sip on the water frequently as you workout.