Are you a beginner looking to start your fitness journey? Do you want to know how to make the most of your efforts and get the best results possible? If so, this ultimate guide is for you. So get ready with some advice on what it takes to succeed as a beginner.

IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS

Working out requires a certain amount of dedication, and to achieve results, one needs to be able to stick it out.

Before you even think about beginning a workout routine or making lifestyle changes that will affect your health and well-being, take the time to identify goals.

What do you want from working out? Do you need more energy? Are there clothes too tight around specific areas causing negative self-talk lately? Or is it simply because everyone else seems so fit these days.

Whatever the reason for starting this journey towards better fitness, make sure the goal can lead somewhere specific before committing yourself fully. Whether your ultimate desire is weight loss or improved athletic performance, having a clear plan in place will help you stay on track and work towards results that are meaningful to your life.

START WITH A 30-MINUTE WORKOUT A WEEK TO PACE YOURSELF

If you’re starting, it’s best to start slow. Commit to doing a 30-minute workout once a week, to begin with, and gradually increase the frequency as your body gets stronger. This will help prevent burnout and injury.

It’s also important to pace yourself when it comes to intensity. Jumping into an intense routine right away can be counterproductive – you might end up getting injured or simply burning out and giving up altogether. Instead, start with light weights and basic movements, and work your way up over time.

PRIORITISE CONSISTENCY OVER INTENSITY

Consistency is vital for working out, especially when you’re just starting. Pushing yourself too hard, too fast can lead to burnout and injury, so start with a 30-minute workout schedule once a week and gradually add more time as your body becomes more robust.

The following are the benefits of consistency:

• You are less likely to quit
• It’s more sustainable over time

Your progress will be easier to track and measure. It’s crucial for beginners that you take the time to identify your goals. Focusing on one goal at a time is best, as it allows you to focus all of your energy on achieving that particular objective. Additionally, identifying why something is essential means that when there are inevitable setbacks along the way, you can work around them and continue with your fitness program because you know what’s ultimately driving those efforts.

INVEST IN QUALITY GEAR

A good pair of sneakers is an essential investment for any fitness journey. So make sure to find comfortable shoes and provide the support you need for the activities you enjoy most. You can invest in quality Adidas outfits and you’ll never be disappointed.

When buying your workout shoes, consider the following:

• Your shoe size
• The width of your foot
• Your level of activity

FIND A WORKOUT BUDDY OR GROUP TO STAY ACCOUNTABLE AND ON TRACK

Having someone else with you, whether it’s another beginner at the gym who is experiencing the same newbie struggles as you are or an established fitness enthusiast whose journey aligns with yours, will help keep you motivated. Look for groups that share your interests—whether it’s Crossfitters looking for their next WOD partner or yogis interested in doing hot yoga together—and find people who understand what challenges lie ahead and want to support each other through them.

Keep in mind that reaching out doesn’t always mean getting up and going to meet them. Posting about your progress online or simply letting someone know you’re struggling can be just as effective.

DON’T SKIP THE WARM-UP AND COOL DOWN

Not only will a proper warm-up prepare your body for exercise, but it’s also essential to ensure that your muscles are loose enough before stretching out to avoid injury. A good rule of thumb is to take five minutes at the beginning or end of every workout session to do light cardio—like walking on a treadmill—and some dynamic stretches like high knees or butt kicks.

In addition, cooling down properly after exercising helps return blood flow to its normal state, which reduces soreness and stiffness over time.

MASTER FOUNDATIONAL MOVEMENTS

This involves Incorporating movements that utilize your body as a unit, like squats and lunges. These movements will help you build strength in the long run because they engage so many different muscles at once—the more involved those muscles are, the stronger they become.

You can take the following steps to help you master the basics:

• Start with a wall push up
• Progress to an incline push-up from your knees if the regular version is too difficult
• Once you gain more confidence, try doing a push-up from your toes
• Mastering the basic plank will make abdominal exercises easier to do overtime

Don’t get too fancy. It’s easy for beginners to want to rush ahead and learn all of what they see as “advanced” moves before mastering their foundational ones—and that can lead to injury. Instead, focus on perfecting those simple movements first and slowly adding in new variations or equipment as needed.

You should also avoid going straight into any workout routine without first getting at least some warm-up under your belt, which means no jumping right onto a treadmill if you haven’t been active lately. Instead, give yourself enough time, so be prepared when it comes time for exercise.

DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING OUT FOR LONGER

It’s easy to feel discouraged when comparing yourself with others, especially if it seems like everyone else has been able to progress faster than you have. When evaluating where someone is on their fitness journey, consider these factors: how often do they work out? What kind of exercises do they perform most frequently? What is their level of experience? Remember that everyone starts somewhere, and nobody but you is responsible for your progress.

WORKING OUT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN ACT OF SELF-CARE

When you’re consistent with your workouts, it improves your physical health and your mental well-being. The endorphins released during and after exercise can elevate your mood and make you feel good about yourself.

Consider working out to be just as important as other forms of self-care like getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, or spending time with loved ones.

ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL HAVE SETBACKS

You’ll inevitably have some setbacks on your fitness journey. Maybe you’ll miss a few workouts, or perhaps you’ll get injured and have to take a break from working out altogether. When this happens, don’t beat yourself up –accept that it’s part of the process and pick yourself back up again. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your perfect body be.

The following are some setbacks you may face in your fitness journey:

You’ll have bad workouts or days where you feel sluggish. You might miss a workout because of your schedule, or health reasons. When this happens, don’t put yourself down for it –take the time to mindfully move on from that day and not let it derail your efforts altogether.

Bad weather could prevent you from getting outside for outdoor activities like running or hiking. Unfortunately, if this is something out of your control, there’s nothing you can do except wait until things clear up again so you can get back outdoors.

It takes 21 days to form a new habit- sometimes longer, depending on what kind of routine/discipline you’re trying to build in your life. So if by week three of working out regularly, and you miss a few days, don’t give up.

CONCLUSION

Beginning your fitness journey can be challenging, but it will become much easier if you equip yourself with the right knowledge and tools. Using the above will allow you to adjust and perform effectively in your fitness journey.

Source: https://www.fatherfitness.co.uk/fitness-tips-for-beginners/