8 WORKOUT tips for beginners
If you've just started working out, here are some more tips that you should remember:
- Start Slow: Don't jump into it all too suddenly: increase workout intensity gradually and avoid hurting yourself.
- Do it Daily: Working out daily is the only way to stop yourself from slacking off. It may sound difficult, but it's actually easier than exercising 3 or 4 days a week. Just do it!
- Alternate: Just because you're working out daily doesn't mean you push yourself every day. Alternate with one day of strenuous exercising, and another easier day which will let your body recover and your muscles build up.
- Listen to Your Body: Working out can be difficult for a novice. Make sure you don't over-exert yourself, and always listen to your body. Feeling tired is good: feeling a sharp, jabbing pain means you need to stop at once.
- Ice Yourself: If you do manage to get hurt, use an icepack. Professionals swear by them.
- Buddy Up: If you can't afford a trainer or a great instructor, or you don’t think you’re ready for one yet, grab hold of a friend with similar goals. Push each other, and hold each other accountable for showing up and working out.
- Fast Music is Your Friend: One of the easiest ways to get through a grueling workout is to listen to fast, fun music. It may be corny advice, but fast music really does make it easier to slog away at whatever form of cardio you’re doing.
- Talk to Yourself: But do it silently, so that people don’t think you’re crazy.
Shutting out negative thoughts, like, “Ugh, I’m so tired” or “I hate coming to the gym” helps, but replacing them with positive thoughts is better. Try to reframe your situation so that you actually enjoy what you’re doing. Tell yourself that yes, you’re tired, but that’s good, because it means you’re a lean, mean, calorie-burning machine. Self talk like “I love the gym”, “I love the post-workout high” and “I love doing these terrible crunches because I’m going to love my six-pack” might sound dumb in theory, but in practice, it really helps you to work out harder, more effectively, and more cheerfully.
Good luck!
