By Aminah Muhammad
If you decided to buy a gym membership as a new year’s resolution then you are not alone. Over 54% of new year’s resolutions are related to health, fitness, and general wellness.
However, some are not sure where to start when it comes to going to the gym. ‘Do I need a trainer? Do I have to start a meal plan?’ Many questions like that arise when joining a new gym.
Here are some tips that will help in transitioning into a new lifestyle and a new gym.
Start with identifying your goals and what you want to gain from working out. Building muscle, toning up, or even slimming down are good ideas to have before beginning at a new gym.
If you’re unsure where to start, there are trainers to help you reach your goals and motivate you. Some gyms even have trainers and programs included in the membership.
According to bodybuilding.com, it’s important to ask questions, knowing how to use equipment and machines can be helpful to avoid injuries.
Another tip when looking for a new gym is location, nobody wants to drive 45 minutes or so to the gym. If your gym is only 10 minutes away then there’s more motivation to go.
Muscleandfitness.com noted that if your gym is 30 or more minutes away you’ll miss more gym sessions than you’ll actually make.
The commute to and from the gym plays a big role in staying committed. Better to drive 10 minutes and get all your workouts in each week than miss half of them because of location.
To stay consistent in exercising, make sure to schedule a time to go that will be beneficial to you in your schedule.
If night workouts after a long day help you destress go for it. If morning workouts are better to get it out of the way before your day starts, then that’s for you.
Just make sure to get in a workout that isn’t rushed or that you don’t have your heart in, pace yourself.
Each workout doesn’t have to be intense with lifting weights, sprints, and burpees in between each set.
It’s important to start off slow, a good 30 or 45-minute session at the gym is better than a whole hour each week. Your energy will be drained by the following week.
According to self.com, it takes time and consistency to get results and trying to do 2-hour workout sessions three times each week isn’t sustainable.
The goal for exercising could easily be to destress and let all of the stuff that’s going on in your life go while you lift weights or run on the treadmill.
Last but not least, have a support system, whether that be a friend, family or coworkers. Surround yourself with people who will motivate you to achieve your goals.