The Dos and Don’ts When Starting Your Fitness Journey

Going to the gym for the first time after a while can be a painful and embarrassing experience. However, if you stick to certain dos and don’ts, then your fitness journey should be less stressful. Therefore, fitness newbies should take seriously the following 9 tips.

DO: Learn to enjoy exercising

Professional bodybuilders have probably tried out every exercise in the book. They had to do this, even if they didn’t like some of the exercises. However, beginners shouldn’t force themselves or be forced by others to do sets of exercises they don’t enjoy.

At first, it’s perfectly acceptable to stick only to the exercises you actually enjoy performing, regardless of their intensity. There are so many physical activities to choose from (jogging, weightlifting, swimming, cycling, etc.) that you needn’t chain yourself to a single discipline.

DON’T: Be unrealistic about fitness goals

The reason why you should enjoy physical activity is that you always stay hungry for results. However, if you are over motivated and have unrealistic goals, you are setting yourself up to fail.

The more realistic your approach to fitness is, the more likely you are to succeed. That’s why people roll in group Zumba classes or go cycling together: to stay realistic about their physical abilities.

DO: Get ready to exercise

In order to achieve your realistic fitness goals, you have to meet two preconditions: you need to be physically and mentally ready.

The safest and surest way to determine whether your body is ready to start exercising is to undergo a medical exam. After doctors perform the requisite set of tests, they will be able to determine your exact fitness level and advise you which sports to take up.

When it comes to mental preparations, we hope that there is no need to see a psychiatrist to confirm you are sane. Joking set aside, mental reediness mainly consists of motivation, determination, and consistency. Also, be prepared for your level of motivation to fluctuate over time.

DON’T: Attempt to lose weight fast

It’s no secret that folks take up exercising after they gain extra pounds. Although physical activity burns calories, you shouldn’t expect cycling and weightlifting to produce quick results. Even if you are able to lose weight by an unhealthy dose of exercise, your health will take a hit.

That is why planning is important to plan months, not days or weeks ahead. If you are unsure about the intensity of your training sessions, you can always consult a fitness coach or a physiatrist to help you lose weight gradually.

DO: See a doctor if you suffer an injury

Speaking of seeing a physiotherapist for consultations, you might end up in their office after an injury, too. Unless you take things slow and make the effort to properly warm up, your muscles will be more prone to injury.

From a strained back to a twisted ankle, there are various reasons why you might be forced to undergo physical therapy.

DON’T: Fail to warm up

The best way to prevent injuries is to warm up properly before every training session. Beginners are often so eager to get started, that they fail to warm up or they do it sloppily.

However, only 10 minutes of stretching do wonders for your muscles, as they are extended under controlled conditions, allowing them to bear greater loads. Even actors take the time to stretch before an action scene, so why can’t you!

DO: Find a gym buddy

We have mentioned the importance of motivation for exercising. Well, be prepared for a drop in determination due to, if nothing else, pure boredom. This is where your gym buddy steps in to cheer you on (and you will do the same for them).

Even better, you can find several friends to hit the gym with. This way, you will always spotters and supporters who will keep you on track to your fitness goals. Alternatively, you can join a crowd of strangers in a Pilates or a kickboxing class.

DON’T: Start strong

We all want to get fit, strong, or slim fast but starting strong isn’t the way to do it. If you have been physically inactive for a prolonged period, then you should start with moderate, if not light training intensity.

The day you decide you wish to turn your life around in terms of fitness, go outside and … take a walk. It’s as simple as that, as a half an hour brisk walk around the block is more than enough for the first day of exercising.

DO: Attend fitness events

If you get a gym membership or join some of the aforementioned group fitness classes, you are going to immerse yourself in the world of healthy living. You will make friends with fitness instructs, weightlifters, cyclists, and other sports enthusiasts.

Furthermore, you are going to learn about protein shakes, different exercise machines, and you might visit a fitness event or two. The more you learn about the world of fitness, the more motivated you will be to finally achieve your own fitness goals.

Taking up any sport, whether it be swimming or weight lifting is challenging for beginners. There are countless snares at the start of your fitness journey that it will take some time to learn the ropes. Being fully aware of the dos and don’ts helps a lot!

Liam Smith is a young and aspiring blogger and writer. He specialises in workplace relations and human resources.