Starting a fitness journey can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are a few simple tips to get you started on the right foot.
Lift Weights — Weightlifting Tips for Beginners
Start your journey by setting realistic goals for yourself.
Trying to lose 20 pounds in a month by jogging around the neighborhood is likely to set you up for disappointment once your lower back, hamstrings, and calves begin to ache after years of sedentary behavior.
Instead of impulsively jumping into a random form of exercise, focus on making small changes that you can sustain over time with a proven athletic discipline like weightlifting, which offers science-based workout routines for progressively building muscle and burning fat.
If you are new to weightlifting, here are three weightlifting tips for beginners:
First, start light and gradually increase your weight. Always warm up and stretch before each workout and then learn proper form when lifting weights to avoid injuries
Second, use workout logs. These are essential to weightlifting because they allow you to track your progress and avoid common mistakes.
Third, stick to three bodyweight workouts a week, exercising on every alternate day.
Avoid working out the same muscle group two days in a row in order to give your muscles time to recover.
Decide Where to Workout
You’ll have to decide what’s most comfortable for you, whether it’s joining a gym or creating a fitness routine at home. Gym settings can be intimidating for beginners, and you may lack the motivation to start. Conversely, they can be fun, too, with everything you need to build a terrific physique.
Let’s take a look at both options
Join a Gym
Should you join a gym?
At a gym, you will have access to a wide variety of equipment and classes, all of which can help you reach your fitness goals. You will also be able to work with a personal trainer, who can create a customized workout plan based on your unique needs and goals. Additionally, surrounding yourself with like-minded people who are working towards similar goals will provide the support and motivation you need to stay on track.
Workout at Home
If, however, you feel more comfortable exercising at home, then you can buy some basic exercise equipment. There are some distinct advantages of having your own home gym, such as privacy and freedom to structure workouts the way you like.
Home gyms are convenient and inexpensive compared to commercial gyms. When you work out at home, you don’t have to wait in line to use any equipment or deal with traffic delays getting to the gym
Additionally, you won’t need expensive equipment to get started on your fitness journey. All you need is a few key pieces of equipment that will allow you to work out your entire body.
There are some distinct advantages to working out at home. You can work out in your home gym in privacy while listening to music or watching TV. You also don’t have to wait for other gym users to finish using a piece of equipment before it’s your turn. Finally, you have the freedom to structure your workout any way you like.
Final Thoughts: Stick With It
It can be difficult to stay committed to a new exercise routine, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of success.
First, post a schedule somewhere you will see it often, such as on the fridge or by the front door. This will help to remind you of your commitment and make it more likely that you will stick to your plan.
Next, exercise with a partner. They will motivate you to stay consistent. Research shows that people are more likely to follow through on making a positive change if they have an accountability buddy.
Finally, involve friends and family in your fitness journey. Informing them of your progress can be motivating. When you enjoy an activity and can share what you’re doing with others, you are more likely to keep doing it.
