Being a beginner at anything can often be confusing and disheartening. This is especially true when it comes to the world of fitness. There’s a plethora of information out there already, and much of it seems to contradict itself. One person will recommend a specific workout, while another will tell you not to even bother with it. Not to worry, though, the world of strength training isn’t as complicated as it may seem.
Weight lifting isn’t as simple as running to the gym and picking up the nearest set of dumbbells. Having a clear idea of what you want out of your workout will help you define what type of exercise you should be doing. Don’t wander around the gym, bouncing from equipment to equipment. The easiest way to stay on track is to know where you want to go. Before hitting the gym, look up different exercises for the muscle groups you want to focus on that day. Then, find the equipment that suits those needs.
Despite what television shows you, it’s not necessary to have a gym membership to start weight lifting. Strength training is just as effective at home as it is at a gym, as long as you have the right attitude and equipment. Invest in some good quality dumbbells and weight lifting sets and build your own gym at home. That way you’ll never have an excuse not to get your workout in.
Starting your weight lifting journey can seem daunting at first. You don’t know what’s what and the equipment can be downright confusing. If you’re nervous about how to begin, head down to the gym and offer to be a spotter for people who are doing their workouts. You’ll gain first-hand knowledge of how the equipment works and what kind of exercises people use them for. Bonus, you might make a few friends who can help you out later on.
You probably already know to expect this, but it might surprise you to see just how many different ways your body will change. First, you’ll notice that your appetite has become ravenous. Your body needs a lot of fuel to handle all the work you’re doing and to build those muscles you’ve been working out. Don’t skimp on quality food and don’t limit your calories while weight lifting. You’ll also notice calluses forming on your hands from the equipment you use. Take pride in the visual reminder of the hard work you’ve been doing.
Always remember that results take time, even for weight lifting. You won’t wake up after your workout and find the rippling muscles you’ve always dreamed of. Don’t be disappointed, any progress is good progress. You may be tempted to increase your intensity to get quicker results, but this will only burn you out and may have the opposite effect. Take it day by day, stick to your plan, and the results will come.