Do you feel like you’ve been putting off working out because you don’t know where to begin? Or maybe you’ve been looking for ways to get back into shape after a long break? If so, you’re not the only one! A lot of people start their fitness journeys by doing too much, too soon. When you start working out again, it helps to have a plan so you know what to expect and how to stay on track.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 7 simple tips that can help get you started with a fitness routine. If you’re ready to start feeling your best, read on for some helpful advice:
Make Fitness a Priority
The first and most important thing you need to do is make fitness a priority. If you don’t make time for it, it won’t happen. When you make time for it, it doesn’t matter whether you like it or not – you’ll be getting in some exercise.
Things change when you make fitness a priority. You’ll find yourself getting stronger and enjoying your workouts along the way. Don’t focus on the fact that some days are harder than others- just keep going. Eventually, it will get easier to meet your fitness goals. Keep in mind that even Olympian athletes have bad days when it comes to training!
If you have a problem finding the time to exercise, here are some tips to help:
- Make a schedule for the week, and designate what days you will work out.
- Schedule your workouts at times when it is most convenient for you to exercise.
- Exercise earlier in the day rather than later so that it doesn’t interfere with your sleep.
- Create an “exercise wardrobe” of clothes that are specifically designated as workout apparel and put them all together so they’re easy to find
Set up a Fitness Routine
The most important part of getting started with a fitness routine is to set up a schedule. It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you do, having a plan will help you stay on track and avoid missing any days. Here are a few tips to set up a schedule that you’ll want to follow:
- Spend some time thinking about your ideal routine. What would be your fitness routine if money, time, and stamina were not a factor? Start with that idea and shave it down until it fits your real-life abilities.
- List the activities you want to incorporate into your routine. Are you training for a marathon? Getting in shape for the summer? Do you want to focus on one form of exercise or do you like more variety in your workouts?
- Start with the activities you enjoy the most and work your way down. Maybe you love to bike or you prefer to start slow with a walk, whatever gets you off the couch is the best place to start. Once you’re moving you’ll be more likely to tackle the less enjoyable tasks.
- Use a workout calendar to plan out your schedule. Whether you prefer a high-tech app or an old-school paper planner, find a way to track your workout schedule that works best for you.
However you choose to plan it out, just make sure to include at least some form of activity every day.
Keep Your Fitness Routine Simple
If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve been brainwashed into thinking that you need to do complicated or intense exercises to get fit. Spend some time educating yourself on the benefits of different types of exercises and you’ll realize that you don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership to get fit.
Simple exercises can produce just as much muscle growth as complex ones do, and they’re easier on the body. Plus, most don’t require any special equipment.
If you’ve been avoiding exercise because you think you have to do complicated exercises to get fit, try these out – they’re super simple:
- Pushups – performed with your toes and fingers
- Situps – performed while laying down
- Other Floor Exercises – like planks, burpees, and other core routines
If you want to add some intensity to these, doggie poses are a great option.
For a variation, try adding some resistance. You can use a weighted vest, a backpack, or even a water bottle to add resistance to your pushups and situps.
Do Exercises that You Love
Just because an exercise is recommended for a certain goal doesn’t mean you have to hate it! The trick is to do exercises that you love – not just because you think you should, but because you love to do them. This makes working out (and the motivation to exercise) much easier.
If you’ve been putting off working out because you hate the thought of doing the exercises, try looking at it from a different perspective.
For example, if you’ve been dreading pushups, try doing them for the muscles they’re targeting – your chest and arms. Or, do them for the feeling of accomplishment you get from finishing a set.
Identify Your Goals
There are a lot of reasons to work out like mental destressing, strength training, and bone health. What do you hope to achieve from working out? Identifying your goals helps you choose the best fitness routine for your needs.
One of the most common reasons people choose to start a fitness routine is to lose weight. If you’re looking for some ideas for exercises that will help you get in shape, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got some great recommendations for the best exercises for weight loss, which can be found below.
- Cycling
- Yoga
- Walking
- Swimming
- Running
- HIIT – switching from high intensity to periods of rest
Incorporate a Beginner Strength Training Routine
If you haven’t lifted a weight in a long time, or you’ve never done so before, start with the beginner exercises. They’re simple enough for anyone to perform, and they’re a great way to get back into the swing of things.
The beginner exercises are designed for anyone and everyone. They’re a great way to get your feet wet, allowing you to figure out what works best for you as far as different techniques go. You can then build on those basics so that in the future when the weights become too easy.
Keep in mind that you can also use your own bodyweight to incorporate a beginner strength training routine. The exercises you can do with just yourself and gravity are endless, but one way that beginners may find helpful is to incorporate some push-ups into their routine.
Push-ups work out many different muscles in the upper body including the chest, arms, abs, and back while also building up core strength.
One of the reasons why people like doing bodyweight workouts is because it works so many muscle groups all at once – not only does this make for an intense full-body workout but it saves time too!
Don’t Forget About Nutrition
Even though you’ve made time for fitness and you’ve even created a workout plan, you’re still only halfway there. The other half of the equation is nutrition – you need to be eating healthy, nutritious foods to see results from your workout.
The good news is that you don’t need to become an expert to get it right – most nutritionists recommend that newbie fitness trainers just start with the basics.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Keep a food journal. Keeping track of what you eat and how much you consume helps you stay accountable and ensures that you’re getting the right amount of calories and nutrients.
- Create a shopping list. Having a written list will help you avoid wandering through the grocery store aimlessly looking for ingredients that you can’t pronounce.
- Find a nutritionist. Having a nutritionist on hand can provide some professional guidance and help you make healthier choices when it comes to your diet.
Get Personal Training from Generation Fit this Spring
If you’ve been avoiding working out because you don’t know where to begin, or you’ve been putting off starting a new fitness routine, now is the time to get moving.
With so many great programs and fitness challenges being offered during the spring, there’s sure to be something that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Contact Generation Fit to help you get started!