10 Workout Tips For Beginners | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

10 Workout Tips For Beginners

Are you hesitant to start working out?

107
10 Workout Tips For Beginners
Pixabay

So you want to start working out, but you are unsure of what that entails. I used to lift last year and then stopped when life got crazy. But I decided I want to start again to become a better me. I want to help motivate anyone who is thinking about working out but is a little hesitant.

1. The first week is always the hardest

Most of the time, people get really excited to start working out, but after the first day, they realize that working out isn't easy and want to quit early. Push through that first week, and it will get easier. When you think about quitting, remember why you started.

2. Find a workout buddy

The purpose of a workout buddy is to help motivate each other. It's so easy to go to the gym and "half-ass it." But if you have someone there to push you, you'll get a much better workout. Now, I'm not saying that you or anyone else can't go to the gym alone and give 110%, it's just easy to slack off if no one is watching you

3. You're going to be sore

When you wake up the next day after your first workout, you'll immediately feel your muscles aching. Do not let this defeat you! Use it as motivation. Soreness is a message to yourself saying you worked hard in the gym yesterday and to keep it up.

4. Do not judge yourself to others

Everyone has to start somewhere. So when you go in the first day and see someone benching 315 lbs. for 10 reps or someone running a mile in 5 minutes, don't compare yourself with them. It's okay to start with the 5 lbs. The only person you are competing with is you.

5. Set goals

Everyone has a reason for working out. Unfortunately, you are not going to be there after a month of training, but a good way to get to where you want to be is to set small goals. Maybe today you squatted 95 lbs. for six reps. So next week, you tell yourself to get 95 lbs. for eight reps. After that week, you try to get 105 lbs. for 6 reps and so on. Working out is a slow process. In order to achieve your goals, like with anything else, you have to be patient and persistent.

6. Warm up

This might seem silly and unnecessary, but it is important. Walking into the gym with cold muscles and going into vigorous exercise is not good for your body. Start by doing a light jog or what's known as dynamic warm-up exercises, such as arm circles or high knees. Your muscles need to be prepared before working out. You wouldn't want to take a test without studying, right?

7. Take progress pictures

This is your chance to look at where you started and where you are now. You don't have to show these to anyone else. It's just a little motivation for you.

8. Find/make a workout playlist

Most people I know have certain music that they listen to while working out that gets them going. I've seen people listen to Adele all the way to AC/DC. Something to keep you moving.

9. Find inspiration

You want to be a better you; that is your inspiration, yes, but you need something more specific to keep you going. But one thing that always inspired me was Eric Thomas videos. Thomas is a motivational speaker and does talks about all kinds of sports teams and organizations. I feel like I can run through a wall when I watch his videos.

10. Workout properly

While lifting and exercising can be super beneficial to your health, it can also be dangerous, especially if you're just starting out. Make sure you know how to properly do an exercise before you start. If you don't know how to, research online or ask someone for help. You might seem embarrassed going up to a stranger, but don't be. It's better than not being able to workout for a week or two because you injured yourself.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

The Struggles of Being A Last Semester Senior, As Told By Michael Scott

25 reasons your last semester in college is the best and worst time of your life

607
Michael Scott

The day you walked onto your school's campus for the first time you were scared, excited, and unsure of how the next four years of your life were going to turn out. You doubted it would go fast and even though you weren't positive about what your future plans would hold, you had plenty of time. You figured out your major, added a minor or two, joined a handful of organizations and all of the sudden you're here. Your final semester of undergrad. Now you've got 25 problems and graduation is only one.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Syllabus Week At UD Explained By "The Office"

"The Office" understands the struggle of the first week back from winter break.

583
the office

January 19th is the first day of the second semester at the University of Dayton, and students couldn't be more excited. However, the excitement that students are experiencing may be short-lived once they see what this semester's courses will entail. Although students will be happy to be back at Dayton, they may realize this semester will be more difficult than they predicted. Here are some things that happen during syllabus week explained by " The Office."

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Your Friend Group, As Told By Disney Princesses

Each Disney Princess has their own personality, and chances are you've got a friend in your group to match it.

1132
Disney Princesses

The dynamics of any friend group are usually determined by the personalities which make it up. Chances are, while personalities may overlap, each person in your friend group holds his or her own place. It is the differences which bring the groups together and keep them functioning. No matter how functionally dysfunctional your friend group may be, if you're anything like me, you feel absolutely blessed to have found such a wonderful group of humans to call "your people." Here is what your friend group might look like if they were Disney princesses (and that wasn't just a thing you all pretended in your heads):

Keep Reading...Show less
dorm roon
Tumblr

College is a place where you spend four years exploring opportunities you never knew were there, creating the person you are, and making life-long friends. College is hard, but it is worth spending four years there. Just because college is difficult doesn't mean that it's not fun. There are plenty of great memories you can make during your four years if college. Here are ways college is designed to be the best four years of your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

You Know You Go To The Ilstu When...

If you are an ISU student, you will come across most of these things during your time on campus.

63
You Know You Go To The Ilstu When...
Community Link

When it comes to Bloomington-Normal, there are many outstanding factors that any Illinois State student can say are unique to our college town (and maybe others too). Proud or not, we Redbirds know all the ins and outs of Blono.

1. The wait for Buffalo Wild Wings is always going to be long on Thursday nights.

As hard as we try, it's nearly impossible to resist the 69-cent wings on a college student budget. Plus, they are always delicious!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments