7 Beginner Tips for Going to the Gym

Going to the gym takes courage. The experience can be intimidating, especially if it is your first time. But that does not mean you have to shelf your plans to get back in shape.

So, here are seven proven beginner tips to help you make the transition to a confident gym goer.

Understand Nobody is Looking at You

You are going to feel self-conscious and perhaps out of place the first couple of days in the gym.

This may be especially true for those with access problems, limited mobility and those requiring disability equipment in order to access the venue or use the equipment.

What with all these confident, in-shape, and sweaty people doing their thing, you cannot help but compare yourself with them.

Realise that most of those people you see in the gym are mostly preoccupied with completing their reps than judging you. If, by chance, someone looks at you, they are probably going to nod and turn their attention back to what they were doing before you could even say hi.

So, you might as well not take yourself too seriously and enjoy your first day here.

Follow gym rules and etiquette

Every gym has its set of do’s and don’ts, and usually, they are handed over to new members or placed in prominent spots where everyone can see them. Be sure to know what is expected of you while at the gym.

One huge tip—wipe down all the machines after using them. Remember to return weights where you took them from, and use the lockers to store your belongings. Leaving your gear by the machine you’re using is a massive trip hazard, and can cause a serious accident.

Mindset is essential

To get the most out of your workout sessions, you will need to get your thinking right. And, you have to do this, even before stepping into a gym hall.

First, you may want to identify why you want to go to the gym. Are you going because you want to lose weight, build strength, or to stay fit?

Also, picture in your mind ways your life is going to be different once you include fitness into your daily routine. Consider your workout routine as a form of self-care. Going over these tasks not only puts you in the right frame of mind, but it also gives you a reason to go to the gym.

Play the long game

One misconception people have, especially beginners, is going to the gym brings instant results. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

The reality is, it takes a long time to start seeing consistent results for the work you put in. Sure, it is possible to notice a couple of changes at the beginning, but real, permanent results take time to build up. So, instead of thinking in days and weeks, think in months.

Remember as you begin to build your performance your body may benefit from some supportive equipment like elbow sleeves or knee sleeves. SBD Apparel offers quality support gear in a range of sizes, to keep you improving safely.

Take baby steps

You may be tempted to dive right into the deep end of things—to exert yourself too much, carry heavy weights, or be on the treadmill for an extended period, which unfortunately only sets you up for burnouts, or injury, resulting in you giving up.

There is a better way, take small baby steps. Start slow, be gentle with your body as you break into a new routine. Your focus at this point should be to master the fundamentals.

Do not over complicate your workout by trying to do too much.

Keep it basic—you may want to learn how to properly crush squats, rows, chest presses, and lunges before getting fancy.

Don’t ever skip warm-up

It is pretty easy to jump right into the thick of things without a proper warm-up session. Warming up before a workout ensures you can stretch and loosen muscle knots.

It gets the heart pumping. And your body primed for the gruelling hard work ahead. Skipping warm-up could lead to avoidable injuries and burnouts.

Do workouts you like

If you associate going to the gym with fun it makes it easier to stick to the routine of going. Find exercises you enjoy and set small incremental goals. Being consistent is the best way to get results. If you enjoy a type of workout, you are more likely to want to do it again and again. Hence, remaining consistent in going to the gym.

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