Getting Started with Fitness
Starting your fitness journey can be a daunting task. There are workouts to learn, diets to follow, ‘Gymxiety’ to overcome, and you don’t know where to start.
But making the decision to start is one of the best things you will do for your physical (and mental) well-being. Give yourself some credit!
To help you along, remember these seven things on your exciting new adventure.
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Start small.
Setting yourself unrealistic goals can make you feel like you’re failing, even when you’re not.
This can cause you to become demotivated and quit.
Don’t worry about having the perfect training regime in the very beginning. Instead, focus on getting the ball rolling and gradually build up as your fitness improves.
Oh, and don’t forget to celebrate your little victories along the way. As the saying goes, “Aim for progress, not perfection!”.
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Something is better than nothing.
Life is unpredictable, and some days can turn out to be much busier than expected. This could mean you no longer have that one hour you originally planned for exercise.
Remember that even a small amount of exercise is much better than doing nothing at all.
Squeezing in a quick 15-minute workout can go a long way in helping you continue to progress towards your goals.
Remember, two complete circuits of the EGYM Smart Strength machines only take 28 minutes! Now that’s a smart workout!
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Form is KING!
Proper form refers to the correct way of performing an exercise.
It’s common for new gym goers, particularly first-timers, to try to impress their friends or other people around them in the gym. Usually, this results in loading more weight on the bar than you can handle and compromising on good form.
Not only does this make the exercise less effective, but it also increases the risk of injury. Remember that your only competition is with yourself. Block out the noise, prioritise technique, and get the most out of your workouts!
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The best diet is the one you stick to.
You might have the world’s best diet plan written up, but if it’s not sustainable, it’s not going to work!
There is no one-size-fits-all. The best diet plan for you is the one you enjoy the most and can see yourself sticking to in the long run.
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You probably don’t need supplements.
It’s tempting to buy all those flashy products that promise unlimited gains. However, it’s important to remember that supplements are there only to ‘supplement’ an already healthy and balanced diet, not to replace it.
Aim to implement a nutrition plan that prioritises getting the required nutrients from ‘real’ food. Supplements can be added to the mix down the line if needed.
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Rest days are underrated!
Contrary to what you might think, getting adequate rest is equally, if not more, important to getting workouts in. Without rest, your muscles won’t get a chance to repair and grow.
If Dorian Yates can win the Mr. Olympia title six years in a row, training only four days a week, most of us should be okay doing the same! So, master the art of listening to your body, giving it time to recover and return stronger.
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It’s actually not that complicated.
Whether your goal is to gain muscle or lose fat (or both), the process is actually pretty simple. Youtubers and fitness influencers often make things sound more complicated than they are. With so many people saying so many different things online, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed.
Just remember to stick to the basics, and you’ll always find yourself making progress.
Train hard; Train consistently; Focus on good technique; Eat a well-rounded diet, Get lots of rest, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
If you’d like some dedicated, one-on-one professional guidance as you get started, get in touch with Beckwith’s PTs. Reach out in person at the club or via our website with any questions!
