For so many people the gym is an intimidating place and walking into it is the biggest battle they have to overcome on their health and fitness journey. I think fitness professionals need to play an active role in educating people and making them feel comfortable in the space. Today, I want to share 5 things with you that fitness professionals want you to know when you’re getting started in the gym that you may not get told before starting.
Everyone Starts Somewhere
I know that when you walk into a gym and look around you instantly start comparing yourself to what you see around you but I want you to remember that everyone starts somewhere. The person behind you that has 4 plates loaded on a bar for their deadlift is probably not on day 1 of their fitness journey so try not to compare yourself to them. If you see someone doing something that you aren’t able to do today remind yourself that you aren’t there yet instead of saying that you can’t do it at all. So many areas of your fitness journey will require you to work towards goals over longer periods of time. Most people don’t walk into the gym on day 1 and they are able to do 10 unassisted pullups and that’s okay. If you break that goal down into smaller sections, you will be able to build towards that goal over time. Wherever you are starting is just that, a starting point. The only person you should compare yourself to as you walk through this journey is yourself a few weeks ago. As long as you are progressing towards your goals, it doesn’t matter what the person beside you is doing.
Go Into The Gym With a Plan
When you walk into a gym for the first time you will likely see a bunch of equipment and a lot of it may be new to you so instead of walking in blind, try walking in with a plan. Maybe for day 1 the plan is just to walk on the treadmill and that’s perfectly fine, but knowing what you are doing before you walk in will help to reduce some of the overwhelm that you may feel. You walk into a new space and you know what your doing when you get in there. Don’t be afraid to ask if you’re unsure how to use a piece of equipment. I know that it might feel embarrassing, but trust me…asking will save you some stress. Even a different brand of a piece of equipment you used in the past might look different and you may not be sure about all the adjustments. Ask the trainers and they will be able to help you out. Then follow the plan you have laid out in front of you!
The Basics Work
Are you scrolling through social media sites looking for fitness inspiration and seeing all these crazy exercises? There are so many people doing things in the gym that are honestly not needed and sometimes are just plain dangerous. The basics (squats, lunges, hinge movements, pushing and pulling movements) work. Despite the fact that a basic squat might not look fancy, it is something that you use every single day of your life anytime you sit down so don’t be afraid to use it. The basics are the basics for a reason, they work, and especially as a beginner you need to master the basics before moving on to more advanced exercises to avoid injuries.
It Won’t Happen Overnight
There are so many people in the health and fitness industry trying to sell quick fixes but the reality is that when you embark on a health and fitness journey results are going to take time. Unfortunately, the quick fixes are not sustainable and they may not be the healthiest way to go about achieving your health and fitness goals. If you can change your mindset to play the long game your fitness journey will be a life-changing event. This doesn’t mean you won’t have frustrations or setbacks, but you will be able to sustain the changes over a longer period of time. Remind yourself frequently, that fitness changes will not happen overnight. Track progress over time and stick with it making adjustments as you need to.
Your Fitness Journey Extends Beyond the Gym
Although traditionally people place fitness and nutrition in the same category, it’s even more than that. What you are doing in the gym will only get you so far if there are other things in your life that aren’t functioning optimally. Nutrition, sleep and stress management are all important parts of your health and fitness journey as well. If you are following a perfect fitness routine for you, but you aren’t getting enough sleep then your body isn’t recovering in the way it should so you are likely not getting the same amount of benefits you could be from your workouts. All of these factors can impact your health and fitness journey and have nothing to do with you being in the gym. Focus on all areas of your life and achieving that balance in order to make the most of your workouts.
As a fitness professional I spend a lot of my time in a gym, but walking into a gym can be a barrier for a lot of people and that’s okay. Know that trainers are here to help you out so try your best to use your resources. Getting started on your health and fitness journey can be intimidating or overwhelming, but if any of these things help to ease your mind try and remember then as you walk into the gym to start your journey!
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