The new year will soon be upon us, and you may be considering joining a gym. That’s wonderful news, no matter your reason for joining, be it for burning off the Christmas fat, or to begin a healthier lifestyle. However, there are a few things we think you should know first. The gym can be intimidating for newbies, so to ensure you don’t quit early through fear or insecurity, here are some tips to help you.
Before you head off to the gym ensure you have everything you need. From towels to sweatbands, you need to load up your gym bag with the essentials. Our ultimate checklist has everything you need, so bookmark the page, and take note of everything we mention. You don’t want to be caught out, after all.
Build up your energy first!
You might also want to build up your energy levels before you venture out too. This will ensure you don’t crash and burn when involved in exercise. Drink plenty of water, consider Muscle Rage Limitless, a popular workout drink, and eat something nutritious. Be sure to void anything high in sugar, as you will find yourself flagging after only a short period at the gym.
Leave the make-up at home
When you arrive at the gym, don’t worry about what you look like. You will be surrounded by hardened gym-bods (as well as loads of mirrors) and you might feel inferior in comparison. Especially if your body is out of shape, you may find yourself feeling more than a little envious. But fear not – they were like you once, though they will be too busy doing whatever it is they are doing to think about you anyway, so don’t assume people are staring at you.
Warm your body up pre-workout
Remember your warm-up pre-workout before you try out any of the equipment. You need to prepare your body, so limbering up is key to avoiding strain and injury. Start at your toes and work upward, and get the blood flowing through your body. And bearing in mind you will probably be using an exercise bike as part of your routine, you might consider these stretching tips as part of your pre-workout.
Stay hydrated
Remember to drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated. You will be losing a lot of water through sweat, so keep yourself topped up to keep yourself energised throughout the session. There will be a bathroom at the gym, so you can easily refill your flask or water bottle if you run out.
Take it easy, it’s not a race
Then take baby steps when considering what to do next. It’s the old adage; don’t run before you can walk. There will be a trainer on hand to guide you into what weights or equipment to use, so don’t be afraid to ask. And don’t go crazy like a child at a Jungle Gym either! You will only do yourself an injury. Follow this beginner’s guide to gym equipment, and you will serve yourself well.
Sweat. Rest. Repeat.
After your session, it’s time to recover. This is essential, as while you will welcome the rest anyway, your body needs this time to heal itself ready for your next session. Follow these workout recovery tips, and you will be bouncing back to the gym for your next session in no time.
We hope these tips were helpful to you, but if you’re a gym pro, please send us any further tidbits of advice for our gym newbies.