9 Fitness Tips for Beginners: Everything You Need To Know

Getting fit and establishing a new exercise routine can be difficult. However, we’ve put together a list of useful tips to help you get started and achieve your fitness goals.

There is never a wrong time to start working out. If you are completely new to the world of exercise, you may be intimidated by the thought of signing up for a gym and exercising in front of people who’ve been working out for longer. You may simply need help deciding what sort of exercise is right for you.

We’ve put together this article to help you get started on your new fitness journey, covering everything you should know about working out as a beginner. Whether you are struggling for motivation or need a friendly push in the right direction, our fitness tips for newbies is a good place to start.

1. Have A Goal And Make The First Step

While you may not set the world on fire and become an Olympian or football star, you can still set some lofty fitness goals that motivate you to get into the swing of things. For one, you could set the ultimate goal of running a half-marathon or even a full marathon. You may want to become a triathlete and compete in endurance events. Alternatively, you could challenge yourself to join a sports league or hike some of your favorite trails. Whatever your reason for exercising, make sure you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, then go out and grab it.

Once you have your milestone in mind, you need to make the first move. Many people dream of having a better body or improving their fitness but never do anything to motivate themselves. Of course, your end goal may seem like a long way off, but there are numerous things you can do to make your fitness journey more enjoyable.

2. Set Smaller Goals

If you have set a seemingly insurmountable task of completing a marathon, you’ll want to break your training into manageable chunks. Do not aim to complete a marathon within six months of training. Focus instead on completing 5K or 10K races comfortably first. Set yourself a target that can be reached easily. Once you develop a new normal, you can think about moving on to more challenging races.

If you try to do too much at once, you can become overwhelmed. Focus on getting out of the house and incorporating a new fitness routine into your daily life first and foremost.

3. Move Past Your Comfort Zone

Working out involves moving past your comfort zone and pushing your body to do things you normally would not do. While it is easier to sit on the couch and binge-watch your favorite Netflix shows, trying something new and exciting can have all sorts of mental and physical benefits.

Exercise does not have to just be running for long periods; you can try different activities like Tough Mudder or Warrior Dash to expand your horizons, improve your mental toughness, and provide a fun challenge.

4. Mix Up Your Routine

Many people lose motivation if they do the same workout repeatedly. In addition, if you do the same exercises for 8 weeks, your muscles eventually get used to the activity and your workout stops being effective. You’ll build less muscle and won’t lose as much fat.

Instead, you can incorporate different exercises that target different areas of the body. The optimum workout routines will work every muscle group at least twice a week, giving your muscles enough time to rest and recover in between.

Strength training, swimming, kickboxing, and cycling are excellent ways to improve your strength and cardio. Stronger muscles improve performance, burn more calories and prevent injury. Additionally, interval training (increasing pace, then slowing down) is a fantastic way to push yourself, increase fitness, and burn belly fat in less time.

Try different exercises and find a routine that works for you.

5. Speak To Your Doctor

If you have been inactive for a while, speak to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, particularly if you are over 45. You should also check with your doctor if you have long-term health issues – your new fitness routine should improve your health, not make things worse.

In addition, you should only work out three days a week for short periods of time. This will help you avoid any injuries or unnecessary fatigue. Once you are comfortable at that pace, increase exercise duration and intensity.

6. Remember To Eat Properly

Nutrition plays a huge part in whether your exercise routine is beneficial or not. When you work out, you burn additional calories and raise your metabolism. As such, it is important to eat good, nutritious food regularly. We recommend eating every few hours, making sure you have three meals a day and numerous healthy snacks.

Athletes eat healthy carbs (fruit, yogurt, etc.) before working out as these foods provide a quick boost of energy. Once you’ve finished your session, replenish your body with a mix of proteins and carbs, such as a peanut butter sandwich (on whole wheat bread) or a post-workout smoothie. Snacks should be healthy and light: yogurt, nuts, fruit, eggs, whole wheat toast.

An insufficient and unhealthy diet will undo your fitness work if you are not careful.

7. Hydrate

Don’t believe the commercials, a sports drink full of electrolytes is not an essential part of your workout, especially if you are a beginner. However, you will need to hydrate. If you do not drink enough water, your muscles will cramp and you’ll increase your chance of heat stroke or exhaustion. Drink 2 or 3 cups of water before exercising. During your session, try to drink 1 cup at least every 20 minutes. Remember to fill your water bottle up and rehydrate when you’ve finished your workout routine as well.

8. Dress Appropriately

You need to wear appropriate clothes when you work out. While you may want to look cool and stylish, you should prioritize feeling comfortable above all else. If you are wearing the wrong shoes or t-shirt, your exercise will quickly become an arduous and even painful task.

If you require help, speak to somebody at your local sporting goods store. Find workout clothes made from moisture-wicking fabrics rather than absorbent cotton. If you’ll be working out in the colder temperatures ensure you wear layers that can be removed once you warm up.

9. ake The Time To Perfect Form

Regardless of your preferred exercise, you’ll need to earn proper form to avoid getting hurt or wasting your energy. If your exercise sessions are causing an unusual amount of pain, your technique may be to blame.

We recommend speaking to trainers at your local gym who can give your pointers on improving your form. Alternatively, you can hire a personal trainer to master your technique. If you prefer to exercise alone, watch tutorial videos and read fitness magazines to understand how to perform specific exercises safely.

Final Thoughts

We hope we’ve given you some useful advice for taking your first steps towards a healthier and happier body. Whether you are looking to lose weight, push your body, or simply have fun with a new sport, taking the appropriate measures will ensure you get the most out of exercise and stick to your fitness goals moving forward.