A Beginners Guide To Starting A Gym Routine : Everything You Need To Know

Starting a gym routine can be intimidating, especially if you haven't worked out in a while. It takes time and effort to get into shape, but with these tips, you'll soon be on the right track!

Here’s what you need to do before starting a gym routine:

Set goals

The first step to starting your health and fitness gym routine is setting goals. Goals are important because they allow you to measure your progress as you work towards self-improvement. A good goal will be:

-       Specific - what exactly do I want to achieve? Lose 5 pounds? Run a half-marathon?

-      Measurable - how will I measure my progress?

-      Achievable - is this realistic?

-      Relevant - why is the result important to me/ why does it matter?

-      Time-bound - do I have a deadline?

Join a gym

There are many different types of gyms out there and it's important to find one that best matches your needs, wants, and lifestyle. Here's what to consider when choosing a gym:

-   Cost. How much does it cost per month?

-   Location. Where is the closest one? Are there any within walking distance from where I live? What hours does it operate? Do they have late-night hours so I can go after work if needed?

-   Equipment. What kind of machines do they have available at the gym (i.e. treadmill, elliptical)?

-   Group exercise classes.  Do they offer classes as well such as Yoga, Pilates, HIIT, or BodyPump?

-   Atmosphere - Does it feel comfortable when you walk in there (like a friendly staff greeting)? Does this place make me want to go again tomorrow morning even though I didn't feel very motivated today because something came up last minute?

Make time for the gym on your calendar

It's important to schedule your workouts. A lot of people will say it doesn't have to be a rigid schedule, but that's not true. If you don't make time for the gym on your calendar, then it won't happen.

For example, Monday & Thursday 7pm - 8pm - “gym session”.  Then fill in what else you need during other times (i.e., dinner with friends) and put them on your calendar as well.

If you feel you will struggle to stick to your schedule:

-      Find an accountability partner. This can be a friend, your significant other, or even a professional trainer. The point is to have someone who will hold you accountable for your fitness goals and make sure that they happen.

-      Create a group of friends or family members who will hold each other accountable. You can do this by creating an accountability group on Facebook, or simply having each person set up their own individual Strava account.

-      Get some apps if needed - there are lots of free apps out there like Fitbit and Apple Health which can help track all kinds of things like water intake, calories burned, steps taken, and more.

What you need to have for starting a gym routine

Workout clothes

Workout clothes are the most important part of your fitness routine. The right workout gear will help you look good while sweating it out at the gym, which can help you stay motivated to keep going.

Don't worry about buying a whole new wardrobe – just start with some workout clothes that fit well, are not too tight, and make you feel confident when you are in the gym. You might want to consider getting some cute socks for extra motivation!

Shoes

Shoes are an important part of your fitness routine, as they determine the comfort and safety of your workout. You may be tempted to buy a pair of random shoes and call it quits, but there are several different types of shoes suited for different exercises. For example:

-   Running shoes should provide propulsion and cushioning from the impact on your feet when you're running. They might also have a hard heel for stability and support.

-   Lifting shoes feature support for lifting heavy weights off the ground (which can put a strain on your knees). They usually have a flat sole so that you can get the maximum force out when squatting or deadlifting weight up into position over your head.

-   Many gym-goers wear Converse-style flat shoes to lift weights (for “relaxed” workouts) and regular trainers to go to classes and do any other activity which involves quite a bit of movement such as sprints, box jumps, burpees, etc. (for extra ankle stability and to help absorb impact)

-      There are also shoes specifically for Olympic weightlifting which have a raised heel for extra stability and range but you won’t need them any time soon.

Get a pair that is comfortable and makes you feel like a badass in the gym (more motivation!)

Gym bag

You can’t go to the gym without a bag. It's essential, and it's also something that will come in handy when you’re travelling or need to bring your stuff somewhere else. Get one that’s big enough - if you have multiple shoes and clothes, then size matters! Make sure your bag can fit everything you need for the gym in an organised way.

Water bottle

Water is the most important thing to bring. You'll need a water bottle with room for at least 0.5l in it. And 1l bottle will come in handy when you are in classes and don’t have an opportunity to sneak out to refill your bottle.

Sweat towel

The sweat towel is used to wipe away the sweat off your body and face. You can also use it to wipe away any excess water that gets on your barbell or dumbbells while they're in use.

Padlock

A padlock is a very useful tool for keeping your valuables secure. You can get a combination lock or a key lock, which are both equally effective. You can usually buy one from the gym’s vending machines, or bring it from home.

Shower essentials

When you're starting a health & fitness gym routine, it's important to have all the right products on hand. Here are some shower necessities that will help keep you feeling fresh and clean:

-   Shampoo/ conditioner;

-   Body wash/ body lotion;

-   Deodorant;

-   Towel;

-   Flip-flops;

Snack

You should always have a snack on hand just in case you feel light-headed or way too hungry (hangry) to work out! A good snack will keep you energised and focused, without adding too much to your waistline. A banana or protein bar will do.

Fitness watch

A fitness watch is a great way to keep track of your activity and progress. It can be a motivating tool, as you can see how much you’ve accomplished in the past week or month. Most of them also have an alarm feature, which means that they are very useful for waking up early in the morning to go.. to the gym! :)

Depending on what features are most important to you, there are many different types of fitness watches available on the market today (it doesn’t have to be a super-expensive Apple Watch or Fitbit).

Some have GPS capabilities while others don't; some require charging every day while others only need charging once every six months! It's important that you do some research before purchasing one so that it will best fit into your lifestyle and budget. Once purchased though...the fun really begins!

Pair of earphones

Having the right pair of earphones is key. The type of music you listen to and how you use your earphones will determine what kind you should buy.

Earbuds are the most popular type of headphones because they can be used on the go or at home with ease. They're small enough that they can fit in your pocket, which makes them ideal for commuters or people who enjoy exercising outdoors.

Notepad

It's important to keep track of your workouts, especially if you're planning on following a routine or program. It helps to keep everything organised, as well as remember what you did when it's time to do it again. It also helps stop you from making the same mistake twice!

Anything else?

Don’t worry about belts, resistance bands, bar pads, mats, chalk, protein bars, fitness drinks, or any other fancy stuff - your gym is likely to have them for you to use (or consume).

Starting a fitness routine can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Just remember that making time and being accountable are key ingredients in the success of any fitness program, whether you’re an expert or a beginner. So take a deep breath, put on some music, and get ready for some action!