We've put together some tips for people new to the gym, with a few suggestions on how to make your first visit go more smoothly.
1. Bring a friend
Having someone with you can be an enormous help for a lot of reasons. They can spot you if you're lifting weights, offer suggestions on how to work out safely, and keep you company- all things to help keep up your motivation level over the long haul.
2. Be flexible
It's pretty easy to work out when you're feeling motivated. But sometimes you have to work out even when you don't feel like it, and that's what makes fitness a lifestyle rather than something you fit in whenever you can manage it. So if something gets in your way, be flexible about changing your routine or working out at another time. The important thing is that you keep going.
3. Wear layers
Whether you've got AC or not, a good rule of thumb for the gym is to wear several layers. Not only does it make for a more comfortable workout, but it will let you adjust as necessary once you get to the gym and start working out. It's hard to maintain a good workout level when you're cold or too hot, so keep that in mind.
4. Know your limits
New gym-goers often have unrealistic expectations of what they can accomplish on their first visit. They may think they can bench press 200 pounds or run a mile in under 10 minutes. All of those numbers are great and certainly should be a goal for beginners. But remember that these are long-term goals rather than short-term goals. Even if you exercise all the time, chances are you won't reach them right off the bat.
5. Don't worry about the weight.
Again, you may have some unrealistic expectations of your first visit. The gym is not the place to push yourself for a personal best-you'll find that out when you work out with a personal trainer. No matter how great you feel doing an exercise, don't even think about pushing yourself that hard. This will help keep up your motivation, especially once the short-term results start rolling in.
6. Drink lots of water
This is especially true for people just starting off with an exercise program. When you exercise, your body loses water. So stay hydrated! It will keep you from feeling woozy during your workout and help you recover faster once you're done.
7. Take care of your body.
For some reason, many people take their first trip to the gym as an opportunity to wear something completely inappropriate. Nothing is worse than a shirtless guy in a full sweat suit working out next to a lady in yoga pants and high heels. Trying to be fashionable while exercising is a great way to get hurt.
8. Prioritize consistency over intensity.
You'll see far better results in the long run if you're doing something regularly than if you're doing too much very occasionally. So start slow and work your way up (add more weight or repetitions, for example), rather than pushing hard one day and then taking it easy the next.
9. Don't skip your warm-up and cool down.
You'll find that you've become more conditioned, and your body will stay in better shape if you pay a little more attention to those first few minutes of your workout.
10. Take glutamine before and during exercise.
Taking glutamine before and during exercise helps to reduce joint and muscle soreness, enhance recovery and enhance an athlete's performance. With these glutamine benefits, it makes perfect sense to include it in your workout regimen. Because of its benefits, glutamine is used by bodybuilders and people who participate in endurance sports, such as marathon running or cycling.
Just remember that getting in shape takes time. These are beginner tips, so obviously, this won't be enough to transform your body overnight! But if you make a few minor changes here and there, you'll soon find that your exercise routine is a lot more enjoyable.
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