Maybe you’ve never been to the gym but want to start going. Or maybe you used to go to the gym but got into the habit of not going and want to get in the routine again. Whatever the reason, you can do it! It might seem scary but we are here to tell you why and how to start going to the gym!
Have a purpose or goal.
If you don’t have a reason why you want to go to the gym, you aren’t going to stick to going for very long. You need to have a real reason in mind to keep you motivated! Whether you want to lose weight, find a new hobby, relieve stress, prevent lifestyle disease, or any other reason, you need to have a purpose! If you have a real desire in mind, you will have an easier time reaching that goal. We really like how Self and Jen Comas explained, “Ultimately, fitness should be about your own goals and what feels right for you. ‘When you’re embarking on your fitness journey, it can be easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing,’ . . . ‘Remember that we all move at our own pace, and to focus on what is best and most enjoyable for you and your unique body.'” Come up with a goal that is for YOU! Don’t have a goal to be someone else, just work towards becoming a healthier and more confident version of yourself.
Partner with a friend.
Whether you want your friend to go to the gym with you or just make sure you go, find someone to encourage you! Your friend can help to keep you motivated and accountable! They might even be able to give you a few tips or suggestions when starting to go to the gym. They can help you figure out what you want to achieve and an action plan to follow. Everyone Active gives 7 awesome reasons why having a friend to hold you accountable at the gym is good:
- Friendly Competition
- More Fun
- New Ideas
- Spot Partner
- More Structure
- Regular Routine
- Motivation
Having a friend really can make your journey to the gym a lot more enjoyable and effective.
Understand it will take time.
When going to the gym with your goal in mind, it is important to realize that you might not get the body or results you want right away. It is definitely something that is going to take time and effort. Staying consistent and regular will typically help the results come faster. Results vary for everyone but if you keep at it, results will come! Women’s Health explains three phases of working out:
- Month 1: This month is often hard but if you stay consistent with working out and eating right, you could start to see results. They explain that if you are new to working out, you could see results in about 2-4 weeks and notice increased muscle and decreased body fat.
- Month 3: This month is when you will really start to notice a difference. It is said that you will notice things like weight loss, increased strength, and simply feeling more fit. They also explain that you may want to start changing up your workout routine here.
- Month 6: This month is when your fitness journey becomes a lifestyle and you start to achieve your goals. They do explain that by this point you might want to change your nutrition plan to reboot your metabolism.
Don’t overdo it.
There’s a common exercise myth that you need to work out every day. If you haven’t been going to the gym for a while, you can’t just assume you will start working out 5+ days a week. If you try to work out too much at the beginning, you are going to give up because you don’t enjoy it or it is too hard. You need time to get used to this new routine and time to recover. Stack explains that taking breaks from the gym each week will allow you to restore your energy, repair muscles, recover from soreness, and avoid injury. If you want to stay active during your days off, do simple activities like walking or stretching.
Ask for help.
Guess what? You aren’t going to know how to do everything at the gym. You aren’t going to know how to use certain equipment or the correct form for certain exercises and that is okay! Asking for help or for tips is going to help you reach your goals and make you more confident when going to the gym. Anytime Fitness explains that “Asking for help actually makes you smart.” because it:
- Unlocks a support system
- Presents new perspectives
- Builds critical life skills
- Increases confidence
- Shows you’re a team player
Believe in yourself.
If you tell yourself you can’t do it, you aren’t going to. Starting your fitness journey can be hard but you can do it! Set realistic goals and work towards meeting them. It might seem scary but you are not alone, there are lots of people who want to help you!