Perhaps you’ve made a new years resolution, promise, or generally set
a goal to get in shape. Congratulations, that is the first step! The
next step is taking action. Often times stepping in a gym can be
intimidating. However, there are remedies and ways to make your first
workout routine more pleasurable and less intimidating. These helpful
workout tips for beginners are a perfect way to kick start getting in
shape!
1) Find a gym that suits you
Don’t just go to the first gym you see or hear about. Shop around,
look at different places to find one with a vibe that suits you.
Otherwise you might end up wasting a ton of money on a gym membership
you never use because you don’t like the atmosphere.
2) Make sure you have the right gear
If your workout involves running, make sure you have proper running
shoes. If you’re using machines, make sure your clothing is tight enough
not to snag. Workout gear should be comfortable above all. If your
clothes or shoes aren’t a good fit, it will discourage you from working
out at all!
3) Bring a water bottle
It’s easy to get dehydrated during a workout. Make sure you bring a
water bottle to the gym to replace all the fluids you’re sweating away. A
drink of coconut water will replenish your electrolytes afterwards.
4) Don’t work out on a full stomach
It’s best to work out on a relatively empty stomach. If not, your
body will use energy from the meal you just ate, preventing you from
burning stored fat. Working out on a full stomach may also cause
heartburn, wind or nausea.
5) Know your stuff
Ignorance can be dangerous during a workout. If you’re at the gym,
make sure you know how to use the machines. If you’re doing yoga,
pilates or barre, make sure you have a competent instructor and go slow
so as not to pull a muscle. Be careful — you’re at the gym to improve
your body, not damage it.
6) Don’t worry about getting beefy
If you’re scared that weight training will make you look like a
bodybuilder, relax! The vast majority of women simply can’t build that
kind of muscle, and even men would need to spend countless years
bench-pressing to get there. Your body will simply grow more defined and
trim.
7) Pain doesn’t equal gain
How sore you are after a workout isn’t an indicator of that workout’s
quality, so don’t make that your goal! If you’re really stiff and achy
the day after, have a rest day and dial down the workout next time.
8) Don’t try and spot-reduce fat
Although you can focus on toning specific muscle groups, you can’t
target specific parts of your body from which to lose fat. Those
exercises to ‘get rid of muffin top’? They’re a con. Fat is lost all
over the body — focus on overall weight loss to see results.
9) Cross training is important
Doing the same workout over and over again is not just boring — it
means that there are muscle groups you likely aren’t targeting. By
mixing up your workout, you cover all bases and keep things fresh.
10) Eat plenty of protein afterwards
Now you’ve completed your workout — good job! It’s time to refuel
with a high-protein meal, which will help repair your muscles and build
new ones. This is one of the best workout tips for beginners as protein
helps you actually see those results.
