The top 5 things to do when you are new to training

10 Jan The top 5 things to do when you are new to training

If you have decided that this is finally the year to get fit – congratulations. The first step is often the hardest. But where to from here? Do you join a gym, use a personal trainer, join a sports club or do something on your own? It can be hard to work out exactly what path to take to starting your fitness journey with so many different alternatives.

So to help you make the right choice, here are my top 5 tips in leading a healthier life when you are starting out:

1. Find a good local gym

One of the most obvious choices is to join a local gym. Check out their web site and social media networks, look at what they offer and what their prices are.

Then go down and talk to someone there, get them to show you around and answer any questions you may have. Ask for a free trial to see whether you be happy and comfortable training there or not.

For more help on how to pick the right gym for you, make sure you read my blog, the top five things to consider when you are looking to join a gym.

2. Find a great personal trainer

If you feel a bit intimidated about joining a gym and don’t want to exercise in front of a bunch of strangers, consider working with a personal trainer. A good PT can give you motivation, educate you on the right technique, ensure you are moving safely, give you nutrition advice, and give you the extra support you may need to make sure you get the results you are after.

To help you find a personal trainer to match your expectations, check out my blog the top 5 things to consider when choosing a personal trainer.

3. Focus on basic exercises

The great thing about training today is there is such a wide variety of items you can use – kettlebells, TRX, battling ropes, sandbags, sleds, hurdles, ladders, bikes, barre  – there are even equipment I see at gyms that I don’t even know how to use!

There is so much fancy equipment and machines you can use to train with but when you are staring out, just focus on basic body weight exercises or simple moves with weights and machines.

Squats, pushups, dips, lunges, crunches, all these moves are so effective and you don’t even need to use anything to do them.

I know when I train people who are new to exercise, I use a minimal of equipment to keep the moves simple and safe. When you are just getting started, your own body, some dumbbells, weights or maybe even a skipping rope, is all you need.

To give you some ideas on the best body weight exercises to start with, ready by blog on the top 5 body weight exercises you should always include with your training.

4. Make sure your form is perfect

I have a lot of newbies in my classes at this time of year and the first thing I tell them is to focus on great form, posture and technique before working too hard. This should always be your number one priority.

I cannot stress how important correct form is – not only will you get the results you want and work the right muscles but more importantly good form will minimise any chance of injury.

Think of great technique as the foundation of a successful workout. You need to get this right before you start to lift heavier or work at a more intense level.

5. Easy does it

The second thing I tell anyone new is not to work too hard too soon.

Years ago, I had a lady do one of my cycle classes and though I told her before and during the class to just work at a moderate level, she went all out. Before the class finished, she got off the bike, went into a corner and curled up in the foetal position and didn’t move for about 15 minutes! Safe to say I never saw her again!

So please, pull back, focus on correct form, get used to the routine and get the basics right. Once you have mastered this, then you can start pushing yourself a little more each time. This is how you improve and gain the results to last you a lifetime.