Going to the gym for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. With so much equipment, you might not know where to start. Even worse, you might start comparing yourself to seasoned gym members and wonder if you’ll have that desirable, muscular, and well-toned physique.
However, you shouldn’t despair. It takes a lot to walk into a gym, and the sight of treadmills, weights, and sweaty exercisers shouldn’t deter you from achieving your fitness goals.
Here are a few tips to help you get started at the gym.
Warm Up
If you’re a beginner, please avoid the weights section. It’s tempting to do bench presses and squats with a heavy load, but you must prepare your body before engaging in intense exercises.
Find a spacious spot and do warm-up exercises. These include push-ups, pull-ups, planks, and other bodyweight exercises. An effective warm-up is vital to increasing blood circulation and readying your muscles for more demanding activities, like lifting weights. While warming up, acclimate yourself to the surroundings.
Although warming up is crucial and reduces injury risk, don’t overdo it. Spending too much time on warm-up exercises drains your energy, preventing you from doing the main activities.
Take It Easy
It’s your first day, so don’t push yourself to the limit. Even if you feel you can do more, stick to beginner-friendly workouts. For instance, you can try lighting lighter weights after your warm-up. Again, the objective is to improve your endurance.
Whatever you do, avoid copying others. Just because the next person has the physique you desire doesn’t mean copying them will give you similar results. Remember, people are different, and genetics play a vital role in achieving your fitness goals.
Staying within your limits means you don’t get too tired and overly sore. But, more importantly, you can recover and ready yourself for the next day.
Try Everything
Another useful first-day tip is to try everything. Note that it’s ‘trying,’ not ‘doing.’ Since you’re doing something new, you’ll be stressing your body. Trying different exercises allows you to identify what’s right for you.
Take Notes
One of the fool-proof ways of tracking your progress is by taking notes. Measure your weight before starting your fitness routine—time your workout sessions. Count the number of pull-ups, sit-ups, and push-ups you do. After a few sessions, you can reflect on your starting numbers and quantify your improvement.
Besides measuring progress, taking notes shows you what’s working. You can use the information to optimize your workouts to achieve better results.
Hydrate
When you exercise, your body loses a lot of water. Ensure you have a water bottle nearby throughout your gym session, and take a drink whenever you feel thirsty. After the session, drink lots of water with glucose to replenish the lost energy and prevent fatigue. Avoid dehydrating liquids like alcohol, tea, and coffee.
Wrapping Up
Getting fit is an important lifestyle decision. However, the hardest part is starting and maintaining a gym routine. On your first day, you can ease the nerves by following the tips mentioned above. After your first session, eat protein to promote muscle building and sleep well to enhance recovery. If you experience any challenges, don’t be afraid to ask for help from the gym instructor. Nothing can deter you from achieving your fitness goals with focus and determination!