by Emma Smith 5 years ago For those of us who are out of shape and haven’t been to a gym in ages, getting back into the swing of things can seem daunting. After all, it feels embarrassing to be out of shape and to go to the gym where there are so many people who attend daily.
But everyone has to start somewhere and being a beginner at working out is okay. It still shows that you are taking the necessary and positive steps towards improving your overall wellness and physical fitness and that should count for a whole lot in and of itself.
If you are just starting out at the gym, there are a few fitness tips to keep in mind.
Pace Yourself
One of the biggest downfalls for beginners is that they over-exert themselves. It can be easy to look at a friend or stranger at the gym, see the intensive workout that they are doing, and to feel a sense of pride kick in and decide to match their efforts.
But doing this can lead to two things: burnout and injury. If you push your body past the point of where it is comfortable starting out, you are more likely to either hurt yourself or over-exert yourself and give up. Start lighter and build up as you get more acclimated; it’s how the vast majority off us have done it.
Consistency Is Important
In the same vein, it is important not to worry about the intensity of your workouts, instead focusing on being consistent. If you are consistently getting in moderate workouts, you will see and improvement and avoid burnout.
If you push yourself too hard, too fast, you’ll not only risk hurting yourself; you’ll risk burning out and could find yourself skipping the gym at the thought of having to go through another grueling workout that your body is not prepared for.
Find a Friend
Having someone to hold you accountable and to help motivate you to stick to your routine is one of the most valuable tools that you have. Working out is a battle sometimes – more times for others – and having someone to gently push you along can be a huge motivation factor that you may not have had without that person.
Keeping each other in check, leaning on one another for support and encouragement, can go a long way towards getting you back to being active without feeling like you are in it alone.