As a personal trainer, I understand how overwhelming it can be for beginners to step into a gym for the first time. With so many different machines, equipment, and training programs available, it can be hard to know where to start. However, getting started in the gym doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, with the right guidance and knowledge, it can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. Here are some tips to help complete beginners get started in the gym.
First, it’s important to set some realistic goals. Think about what you want to achieve and what your fitness level is currently. It’s important to be honest with yourself about your current fitness level and what you are capable of achieving in a reasonable amount of time. A personal trainer can sit down with you and layout some realistic micro and macro goals and give you the correct structure and guidance on how to navigate to attain them.
Once you have set your goals, you can start planning your workout routine.
When it comes to training splits, there are many different options available. Some popular training splits include full-body workouts, upper/lower splits, and push/pull/legs splits. Full-body workouts are great for beginners because they allow you to work all of your muscle groups in a single session. Upper/lower splits focus on the upper body in one workout and the lower body in another, while push/pull/legs splits separate your workouts into upper body pushing movements, upper body pulling movements, and leg exercises.
Regardless of the type of training split you choose, it’s important to incorporate a variety of exercises to ensure that you are working all of your muscle groups. This can include compound exercises like squat variations, hinging variations, pressing movements and pulling movements, as well as isolation exercises like bicep curls and tricep extensions. It’s also important to start with lighter weights and focus on perfecting your exercise execution before gradually increasing the weight. It’s important that you learn how to control the weight through the full range of motion and that you learn how to contract the muscle that you are trying to work rather than just moving the load from A to B with zero intent.
While it’s possible to get started in the gym on your own, hiring a personal trainer is often the best way to learn how to exercise correctly. A personal trainer can help you set realistic goals, develop a bespoke workout plan based on your fitness level and goals, and teach you proper exercise execution. They can also help you track your progress and adjust your workout plan as needed.
A personal trainer can help navigate through all the challenges that will come your way along the path and coach you to you remain motivated and accountable. Starting a new workout routine can be challenging, but having a personal trainer by your side can help you stay focused and committed to achieving your goals. They can also provide valuable advice on nutrition and lifestyle habits to help you achieve your fitness goals faster. Which is that hardest part of the process for most individuals.
Getting started in the gym can be daunting for complete beginners. However, with the right guidance and knowledge, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Setting realistic goals, choosing the right training split, and incorporating a variety of exercises are all key to a successful workout routine. Hiring a personal trainer is the best way to learn how to exercise correctly and stay on track within your fitness journey. Don’t wait for tomorrow or Monday start today step foot into the gym and get comfortable within the environment, everyone is in the gym for the same reason and that’s to progress and achieve a stronger healthier body.