Thinking about starting at the gym but feeling a bit intimidated? What you need is some tips for a beginner gym workout to build your confidence and get you going.
The most important thing you need to know for your first gym visit is to enjoy yourself and take it all in.
Although it can be difficult, don’t start comparing yourself to anyone already there. Keep your mind positive.
Building gym fitness should be an enjoyable experience for you rather than a chore.
There will be times when motivation for a workout will be low, but you should set in place some things that will help keep you on the right track.
What To Keep in Mind if You Are Going to the Gym for the First Time?
Feeling a bit out of your depth is normal, it’s a whole new environment. But don’t get caught thinking that it’s going to be too challenging.
It’s all too easy to get stuck in the mindset and feelings that maybe you are not ready to start in the gym, or that you will not be able to do the exercises, even that you will have sore the next day or that other people will look at you weirdly.
Many people have had those thoughts when they go to the gym the first time, but the actual experience is different when you have good advice.
Knowing some recommendations beforehand will help you take the final step and convince you that going to the gym is a good decision.
Starting with the Beginner Gym Workout Plan
As a beginner to the gym, it is important to try and establish the goal you want to achieve with your time.
Whether you want to achieve a specific goal (like losing weight) or if you want to start going to the gym simply to improve your health and fitness, it is important to go with a realistic and positive mindset.
Going to the gym will change your life for the better, but you will need to remain focused and committed when it gets tough to reach your goals.
Here are some tips to set your mindset right as you begin this journey.
1. The Power of Focus
Come with an open mindset and focus on yourself. With anything regarding gym and fitness, try to get rid of any preconceptions you may have before hitting the gym for the first time. Be positive, this is the start of something good for you.
Do not start thinking, for example, that only people with a high level of training go to the gym and that you are going to make a fool of yourself makes no sense. Everyone was a beginner a sometime.
Be clear in your mind, you will need time to learn everything. Gym members focuses on their own objectives so you should too.
Likewise, try not to come in the gym expecting the worst.
If you already assume that the exercises will be hard and the gym will be crowded, you will automatically be in a negative mindset.
If you dwell on this throughout the day, you will come into the gym with the wrong mood. It’s far too easy to let your thoughts impact how you engage with the exercise so do things to keep you focused in a positive way.
Relax, take a deep breath, and just enjoy trying the experience.
2. The Beginner Gym Workout Confidence Building Plan
Familiarize yourself with the facilities and ask the staff for advice.
If you have never been in a gym, it can seem like a whole new world to discover. Before starting, you must know the environment in which you are going to be working in.
Tour the facilities, ask about the machines available and group classes such as spinning or cross fit that may interest you. This will help you feel more comfortable.
A gym trainer or personal trainer is also highly recommended if you are just starting out in the gym.
They are highly experienced and professional resources that can help you gain essential knowledge for your start to the gym.
Many people benefit greatly from using them at the start because they can teach you the form needed for different exercises, as well as develop proper gym program. If you give them a try you will not regret it!
3. Plan the Destination
Plan your goals and establish a training plan.
As mentioned above, do not hesitate to talk with the staff and personal trainers of the gym to explain the reasons why you have come and request advice on the best exercise plan for you.
Let yourself be advised on how many days you should train, on the most advisable activities according to physical condition and how to structure your workouts.
Do not be shy when it comes to asking questions and expressing concerns. You are ‘newbie’ in the beginning, this is the time to ask.
Once you learn all the basics you should really decide on specificity for your goals. It is good to have these established so that you can stay motivated at all times and properly measure your improvement.
With these goals in mind, you can develop a proper beginner gym workout plan that works towards achieving them.
As you get more experienced, or if you work with a personal trainer often, you can also have an annual gym workout plan established.
4. Be Prepared
Be prepared with the equipment or gear you may need.
You don’t need to go out and get the most expensive gear for the gym straight away, but remember that it is important to organize the gym backpack and bring some essential things.
Comfortable clothes, appropriate shoes, a small towel to dry the sweat and also grooming products are all necessary.
The water bottle, to hydrate you conveniently, should be another of your basics when you start.
A common thing that most people have in their gym bag is resistance bands which can be used for warm ups and exercises.
You can normally get a bundle of these with different resistant types that will help you.
Another thing that can be brought is headphones, which is a great way to zone out the surrounding sounds and stay focused on your workouts.
5. Just Keep Moving
Be prepared for progressive advancement.
Don’t expect miracles in a single session. The first days in the gym will be somewhat challenging and if you have not been in the gym before it will take time for you to learn.
No matter how badly you may want it, your goals can not be reached in a single session alone. Be patient with yourself and give your body time to adapt to the change it is experiencing.
Once you starting getting comfortable, you can begin to increase the difficulty and resistance of exercises to improve upon your growth.
Maintain a good balance for progressing your workouts is one of the keys to success in the gym.
Start by moderating your effort and gradually increase the intensity of the exercise only when you feel that you are ready to do it. The best gym results come from plans that are structured and not rushed.
6. Maintain the Essential Fundamentals
Always remember to warm up and stretch.
If you have never been to the gym, you should know that jumping into your workout routine the minute you enter is a common mistake that you should avoid.
It is essential to warm up beforehand and end the session with some basic and adequate stretching. Only then will you limit the risk of injuries that you can suffer if you do not have experience in this gym.
If you own one, or if it is in your gym, use a foam roller before and after sessions. This will help to reduce the build up of lactic acid in your muscles to get you feeling your best quicker.
You will also need to make sure to stretch all the muscles being worked in that session.
For example, if you have a beginner ab workout planned, then you will need to know the proper ways to stretch the abs to get the best results in your workout.
The Number One Key For Any Beginner Gym Workout
Simple but essential. Remember to enjoy the experience!
Your healthy journey should never be seen as a chore or something horrible to endure. Enjoy it, have fun with it.
Think of all the positives that are going to develop in your life because you’ve taken the time to build your fitness at the gym.
Your thinking is going to get clearer, your skin healthier, more flexibility and mobility and let’s not forget, stronger. Everything focused on your health and fitness, helping you to maximise an enjoyable life.
