If you have never been to the gym before, then it can be quite a daunting experience to sign up for a gym membership and go for the first time. Being in an unfamiliar environment like the gym can seem quite overwhelming, but that shouldn’t stop you from going.
What you have to realize is that everyone at the gym is just there to do their own workouts, so they will not be paying attention to what you are doing. Knowing this beforehand can be helpful because when you go to the gym, you will not be as worried about what other people think. Of course, there are some toxic gym environments, but if you do some research online beforehand, then you can find a gym that is perfect for you.
As a gym beginner, it is a good idea to prepare a little beforehand so that you are not too overwhelmed when you step through the door. Perhaps familiarize yourself with some of the machines there so that you can feel more prepared to use them.
That can help build up your confidence levels each time you attend. In this article, we will go over a few different tips that can help new gym goes, so keep on reading to find out more.
1. Set Realistic Goals
One of the first things you need to do before you start going to the gym is to set yourself some realistic goals. Going to the gym with a clear plan and goal in mind can be a powerful motivator, and it can help push you forward and work harder.
Take the time to work out what you actually want from the gym and how you can push yourself to get there. Now, many people assume that having a fitness goal means having a goal weight in mind, but this is not always the case.
What a lot of people find is that their weight will fluctuate once they start going to the gym because although you may lose some fat, you will likely gain muscle too.
This is why weight is not always a great indicator of health, as you cannot use the numbers on a scale to determine whether you are healthy.
So, instead, it would be best just to figure out what it is you want to get out of going to the gym, whether that is a slimmer build, stronger body, or better stamina.
2. Good Nutrition
Good nutrition is a super important part of starting the gym as you need to be fueling your body with the essential things it needs.
Before going to the gym, you should ensure that you have eaten a good meal full of different nutrients, as this will help keep you energized during your exercise.
Carbohydrates are a great source of energy, so make sure that you eat some form of carbohydrate before you go for your workout. Another important thing you need to have in your diet is protein, as this will help you build up muscle and get stronger.
There are plenty of good protein sources out there, so do some research and find some good protein sources that you like to eat.
An important aspect that people are often unaware of when they are choosing protein sources is protein bioavailability. When we eat food with protein, the amount of protein we can absorb is dependent on the protein bioavailability of the food, so it is a good idea to research what foods have the most protein bioavailability.
3. Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard
When you are just starting at the gym, it is important that you do not push yourself too hard. It can be very easy to get carried away with workouts and focus too much on beating goals and targets.
While working hard at the gym is important, you also need to remember to take care of your body. As you are just starting off with exercise, you will likely find that you get worn out very quickly, and your body aches after the workout.
This is just because you are not used to it, so just be careful with your body and do not overdo it. Start off with light workouts that are easy to do, just while you get to grips with the gym lifestyle.
Once you have been to the gym more, you can start to up the pace a little bit and do some harder workouts. Working your way up will make the exercises much easier as your body only has to go a little bit further.
As you go to the gym more, you will soon learn what works for you and how much further you can push yourself.
4. Be Consistent
Being consistent is a great tip for new gym goers. Going to the gym consistently will help you build up stamina and strength as your body will start to get used to the movements.
If there is one day every week that you are free, then designate that as your gym day and make sure you always go on that day. Then, when you do have some other days free, you can start fitting in some extra gym sessions around your usual one.
Having consistency is an excellent way to build up a routine as it allows your body to get into a rhythm. Once you have had a bit more time at the gym, you can then start to develop a proper routine and schedule that works for you, and you can do this routine every time you go.
For someone who is new to the gym lifestyle, creating a routine and being consistent will be extremely helpful as it will give you a clear structure to work with.
5. Warm Up And Cool Down
Warming up and cooling down are both super important things you need to do before and after you go to the gym.
Warming up your body and muscles before a workout will help loosen you up and help you perform better at your workout. If you fail to warm up, and then you jump straight into a heavy workout, you could potentially injure yourself, so just give yourself 10 minutes before to stretch out your body.
The same goes for cooling down, once you have completed an exercise, your blood pressure and heart rate will be high, and a nice 10-minute cool down allows both of those to gradually return to normal. Both warming up and cooling down can help prevent any injuries from working out, so you need to include both in your workout routine.
Summary
While going to the gym for the first time may seem a little daunting, ultimately, you will find that the more you go, the less scary it is. Everyone at the gym is there for their own workouts, so you do not need to be worried about what other people are going. Just focus on yourself and your body, and you will soon forget other people are there. If you are thinking of joining the gym soon, but you are a little worried about it, then use this article as a helpful guide to get your fitness journey started.
