5 Workout Tips for Beginner Fitness Lovers
One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to get active. Working out is an activity we know we should do, and there's no better time for new beginnings and better habits than Jan. 1, right? So, go ahead—purchase your membership and get to work.
However, if you are new to working out, you probably won't know what to do when you enter the gym. To ease the anxiety of being a new and confused face during your first few trips, we have a few tips to take with you.
Maintain Good Form
The best thing you can do at the beginning of your fitness journey is prioritize good form. It's hard to break the habit of doing moves a certain way. And you don't want to exercise using incorrect forms because it can put unnecessary stress on your body and cause injuries. We often recommend taking introduction classes or working with training to solidify your foundation.
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Listen to Your Body
Many people might argue that working out should cause mild pain, but there's a difference between soreness when you aren't used to exerting yourself and feeling like you are about to collapse. If you sense something isn't right, trust your intuition because your muscles, bones and nerves know how to notify you when something is off.
Also read about: 6 Gift Ideas for Anyone Who Loves Strength Training
Take It Slow
You probably want to dive in with those intense videos from your favorite YouTube fitness instructors. They make it look so easy! That's because they're experts. Don't start far out of reach. You'll quickly get overwhelmed or burnt out. Do something in your range to get your body acclimated to exercise—and you'll appreciate it more when it's within your skill level. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Warm Up and Cool Down
Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves to prioritize this step. You prepare your body for the strain by doing a light warm-up and cool-down. It tells your body to wake up and roll out of bed because things are about to get real. And when you finish, you can wind down and allow your body to exit that active state.
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Stay Hydrated
Last but definitely not least, stay hydrated. You will likely be sweating during your workout, which will decrease the number of electrolytes in your body. We need electrolytes because they stabilize us—they maintain our internal pH balance and ensure our muscles, nerves and organs are operating correctly. So, the moral of the story: drink water. Otherwise, you may begin to feel dizzy, weak and tired.
Do you plan on working out this winter? Read HERE for six thick leggings to keep you warm for your outside exercise routine.