So, you've decided that you're ready to start exercising. Congratulations! There's no better feeling than being able to comfortably and confidently move your body (and seeing those results you've been wanting!)
But where do you begin? With so many machines, classes, and supplements available, it can be difficult to know what's best for you. Top it off with the sea of information on the internet, and you've got a nice perplexion.
Worry not! We're here to help you start training as easily as possible. Let's get started!
One way that you can start training right away is by starting to be more active in your daily life.
This can be done with easy changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking a little farther from the entrance, or using a basket instead of a shopping cart. You can also get more active by including more activities that require movement, like playing tag, jump roping, or dancing!
Think of these changes as your body's way of getting introduced and used to being more active overall.
Tiny shifts in your daily life can easily set you up for training success later on, so don't skip this part!
When you're used to being more active in your daily life, you will more than likely start to feel the need to do a little more. This is your sign to start giving your body a little more of a challenge!
When this feeling starts, it's time for you to kick things up a notch. However before you rush over to the weight room, it's a good idea to get started with exercises that use your own body weight.
Bodyweight exercises are great for developing baseline strength and endurance. But best of all, body weight exercises are the best way to help you learn proper form on most basic exercises!
One of the foundational principles of training is to continue to challenge and demand more of your body as you train.
In simpler terms, your muscles have to endure greater and greater resistance in order for your muscles to grow and to create sufficient stimulus for your mind to stay engaged. Once you get used to body weight training, it's time to add resistance!
This could mean using resistance bands, dumbbells, or weight plates for certain exercises. Explore and try new ways to start challenging your muscles!
Think of the first three steps we talked about as the time when you are priming your body for more intense training by getting it used to being active and using your muscles more. Once you are ready to start using heavier weights and improve your strength and endurance further, it's time for you to sign up for a gym!
In fact, you may already be seeing and feeling the results of your training taking place. Starting to regularly strength train with the variety of equipment that the gym has to offer will help you start seeing progress twice as fast.
Before you think about really testing your muscles capacity at the gym, make sure you're doing it right! (psst, that's what O2 gives members two complimentary personal training sessions for!)
If you're looking to start exercising or just looking to get back into it after a hiatus, we have the perfect solution for you.
Our personal training program offers a free session where a trainer will design a training program for your unique needs and goals, and then they offer a second free session to walk you through a workout 1-on-1 where they can help answer questions you have and make adjustments you need.
Plus, our trainers will help keep you accountable, on-track, and motivated to reach your fitness goals!
Ready to get started? Visit our personal training page to learn more!