10 Tips for Getting in Shape at the Gym: Starting a new exercise routine can be daunting, especially if you’ve never been to the gym before. There are so many different kinds of equipment and activities to choose from, and it can feel like there’s an endless amount of ways to work out. As intimidating as it may seem, though, most people find that once they take their first steps at the gym they continue to return regularly. You might not see immediate results, but with a little time and effort you will soon see results. If you’re ready to start working out but don’t know where to begin or what kind of exercises are best for your body type, this article is for you! Here are ten tips that will help you get in shape at the gym:
Make the Gym Part of Your Day
Just like you should take advantage of the sun during the day, you should do the same with your gym routine. Make it a part of your day. Many people make the gym into a separate activity that they do at night. This isn’t the best practice. Make the gym a part of your day. You will be less likely to skip it, and you will likely line up a whole bunch of new benefits that come from working out during the day!
Focus on Progress, Not Intimidation
It is easy to get caught up in counting pounds lost or time spent working out. This is one of the reasons most people don’t stick with an exercise program for any length of time. You can always see how much you’ve lost or how long you’ve worked out, but this is rarely a goal in itself. Instead, what you should really be focused on is how you feel and how you move. You should be focused on how you feel when you walk out of the gym and what you will feel like when you walk out of the gym after six months. If you focus on this, then any visible progress is a nice bonus!
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
There are so many different types of activities and pieces of equipment in the gym, and not all of them are going to be perfect for your body type. While you may be used to working out with only one set of equipment at home, the gym has everything from free weights to traps and high-tech machines. It can be intimidating to know which equipment to use and how to use it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many gyms have staff that can help newcomers like this.
Find a Gym Buddy You Can Trust
If you have a friend who is also trying to get in shape, then you can both benefit from working out together. This is especially helpful for those who are less confident and want to work out with someone who knows what they’re doing. Working out with a friend can also help you get over your shyness and be more open about what you want out of your workout. You can both discuss how you feel and how you’re moving and help one another set better goals for yourself.
Take Breaks and Eat Healthy
There are so many different exercises you can do at the gym, and many of them are going to be very exhausting. You should always, always, always take a break. Think of this like a HIIT workout. You can’t expect to do all of the exercises they have available at the gym in one session. There are so many different ones. So, you are going to need a break. In between each set of exercises, you need to have a break. This will allow you to keep up a good pace without breaking a sweat. You can also eat healthy and protein-packed snacks during your breaks. This will help you avoid exhaustion and keep you from losing focus.
Move Improvisation Is Key
Gym exercises are meant to be modified. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do them, but you need to modify them to meet your current level of fitness. Pushing yourself too hard is one of the worst things you can do when you first begin working out. Instead of trying to go harder and faster, you should try going at a slower pace and doing a little more each time. This will help you build a better workout routine and get used to the activity in a safe and healthy way.
Conclusion
The gym can be a scary place to start, but it doesn’t have to be. These ten tips will help you get in shape at the gym. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, bring water and/or a sports drink with you, and make sure you’re eating a healthy diet. The more prepared you are, the less intimidated you’ll feel when you step foot inside the gym for the first time. There are many fitness centers and gyms that offer different types of workouts and equipment to choose from. You don’t have to stick with the same routine in one place for the rest of your life. You can try different activities and different trainers so you don’t get bored. The best way to find something you like is to try a few different activities and find the ones that are the most fun for you.