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

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2452
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1470
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200714
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21224
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments