By Ashley St John
With the new year brings new gym members and new fitness New Year’s resolutions. For many people, going to the gym can be a daunting task, especially if it’s their first time going. Finding the confidence to go to a new gym can be hard, so here are a few good tips on how to start:
1) Start with at-home workouts
A good way to start your fitness journey is to start with some at-home workouts. Starting at home will help you figure out what kinds of workouts you like and what works best for you and your body. Starting at home can also help with gaining your initial confidence and feeling good.
2) Find a gym that works best for you
Find a gym that’s close to home or, if you’re nervous about seeing people you may know, you could find a gym that’s a little further away. I would also recommend checking out a few different gyms to see which fits best for you. Different gyms have different rules and regulations along with different programs available
3) Go into the gym with a solid plan
After finding the right gym for you, make a solid plan to go in with. Going in with a plan can alleviate some of your stress. You won’t have to figure out on the spot what you want to do and will be able to go straight to the equipment you want to use.
4) Try to go during off-hours
Going during non-peak hours is a good way to start going to the gym. Many people find a full gym to be stressful and intimidating so an emptier gym is a good way to start. Going during non-peak hours will also free up a lot of the equipment which gives you almost total flexibility and you’ll be able to use what you want when you want.
5) Work with a trainer
Whether it’s just showing you around or working out with one, a trainer can be a great tool for gym beginners. Working with a trainer could be intimidating but it’ll be super helpful, they’ll be able to show you what equipment to use for what you want to work on and if you’re having trouble coming up with a good workout routine, they’ll be able to work with you on that as well.
6) Create a motivating playlist
Having an uplifting and motivating playlist is one of the best ways to stay motivated and confident while at the gym. There are a variety of pre-made workout playlists as well if you find it difficult to find the right songs to add. Listening to music can be a great way to drown out the other sounds of the gym and stay focused.
7) Don’t think about anyone working out around you
This is one definitely easier said than done, but it’s best to remember that everyone is there for the same reason. Everyone in the gym is there to get their own workout done and don’t pay attention to anyone else. It’s also very important to remember that everyone is at different stages in their workout journeys so don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
APN 