A blog written by Sophia Rozanski
Are you new to the gym and looking to start your fitness journey? Regardless of if you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or anything in between, here are some tips that might be helpful for gym newbies:
Track your progress - Keeping track of gym progress is essential to making strides and hitting goals. Downloading an app like Corecircle or Strava allows you to save all of your past workouts in one space and find inspiration from other athletes for your next trip to the gym.
Start slow & stretch - Don’t grab the heaviest dumbbells on the rack or fastest setting on the treadmill. Focus on learning technique and easing your body into its new routine. After your body adjusts, add weight and push yourself further and further. Another huge part of working out is warming up and cooling down. Light stretching before and after your workout helps prevent injury and relieve soreness.
Don’t forget diet! - Working out isn’t the only factor that determines if you hit your goals or not. Research what diet works best for you and the goals you’re trying to reach this year. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard - check out Healthline’s guide to post-workout nutrition, and start incorporating healthy foods to maintain the progress you’re making in the gym. Make sure you’re eating - and drinking! - enough to keep your body fueled and healthy.
Look good = feel good - The right clothes and shoes can make all the difference when it comes to your gym experience. Athleisure is a huge style right now, so finding clothes you can wear in and out of the gym won’t be hard to find. Navano specializes in affordable, stylish, and quality workout sets that can be worn during any workout. Purchasing athletic clothes is also a great form of motivation and a great way to initiate your new fitness journey.
Find time to rest - Beginners especially need to rest in order to let their body adjust to new activity levels. It’s perfectly fine to not go to the gym seven days a week, in fact, most trainers recommend starting with 2-3 days of workouts before moving to 3-5 days a week with rest days incorporated throughout. Remember the quality of your workouts is more important than the quantity.
Stay consistent, but be kind to yourself - Consistency is key if you want to see results during your fitness journey, but remember that progress is progress regardless. If you miss a day at the gym, don’t beat yourself up, and push yourself to make it the next day. Find what works for you in terms of a routine and motivation. Everyone is different, but anyone can establish a workout routine and fitness lifestyle!