Every single fitness enthusiast had to get the ball rolling at some point. Whether that was joining a local sports team, kicking a ball around at lunch time or even joining your first gym. We've all been there, so it's perfectly normal to be nervous about stepping out into the unknown, trust me.... I've been there.
To help you along the way i'm going to give you a couple of pointers, and if there is anything that you feel that I've unanswered, send me an email.
10 Tips on starting off
1) Buy yourself a new gym kit. Nothing screams motivation more than some new clobber. Head over to your local sports shop so that you can try on a few outfits. I'd recommend getting yourself 2-3 full sets of tops and bottoms and a comfortable pair of trainers. Don't forget a water bottle and small gym towel.
2) Download your favourite music onto your mobile and make sure you've packed your headphones (fully charged too if wireless). These tunes are going to get you through your workout.
3) Go and scout out a few gyms and don't sign up until you've seen them all. Make sure that you feel comfortable and nothing will stress you out before you get in there (parking, annoying sales reps etc)
4) Have a goal in mind, if you go to a leisure centre / fitness club they will want to know about your goals and will ask you. A good gym should want to help you, not just take your money. As a personal statement I'd stay clear of budget gyms until you get your bearings, mainly because information isn't always free.
5) Don't sign into any long term contracts to start off, there is still a chance that you may not like it. Join a gym with a short term contract and if you form the habit, upgrade to a long term cheaper contract.
6) Aim to attend the gym three times a week for 30-60 minutes at a time. Combine your workouts with upper & lower body resistance and cardio vascular exercises. Again, most gyms offer a start up programme to get you going - I highly recommend taking advantage of this.
7) Don't get too comfortable. Once you've got into the swing of things you may find yourself doing the same exercise routine for months. You'll slow down the progress, so make sure to have your training plan updated around the six week mark.
8) You will see a change in your fitness levels and body shape after the first six weeks, but don't worry if it slows down after that, it's normal. Get yourself a new training plan and create that habit.
9) You may need to adjust your nutrition too, remember that we eat to train not train to eat. Just because you're exercising it doesn't mean that you can stuff your face all the time. Control yourself.
10) You will enjoy it. At first it may seem a big task but keep at it and it will become a lifestyle.
So there you have it, ten pointers to get you going. As I mentioned above, if you are still wondering what to do drop me an email and I'll get back to you ASAP. Good luck!
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