Setting intentions is important. “Think about what you want to achieve and why,” says Baker. “Do you want to tone and sculpt your muscles? Feel stronger? Improve your flexibility? Lose weight? Or do you simply want to have fun while working out? Having clear goals will definitely help you stay on track and remain consistent.”
You don’t have to hit the ground running. Instead, Baker says to start slow and steady with simple exercises that target different muscle groups. “Don’t feel rushed or pressured to lift heavy weights or perform advanced exercises right away,” she says. “For example, start with lighter weights and gradually increase the intensity as your strength and confidence grow”
Most important, listen to your body. “Pay attention to your body and how it responds to exercise,” Baker says. “If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to stop and seek advice.”
What’s the best way to keep your gym routine consistent?
Consistency is key if you want to see results. “Not every day or every workout has to be perfect, but showing up and doing the work consistently will give you results,” says Rocco. “I recommend sticking with the same weight training routine for at least 12 weeks at a time. This way, your body can really get the maximum benefit from each exercise because you are focusing on increasing the weight and or reps over time for each movement” This routine is called progressive overload, which taps into the science behind building muscle. Rocco recommends four strength training workouts per week to get consistent.
“Consistency is often about creating a habit,” says Baker. “Perform your workouts at the same time each day, making them a regular part of your routine until they become second nature.” Ezekh echoes this advice: “Make it a habit. Consistency is best achieved by setting realistic goals, creating a schedule, and finding activities you enjoy.”
Quinn recommends looking ahead to make sure workouts fit your schedule. “I like to plan out my workouts for the week. It’s best to find workouts that you love and look forward to, and work with coaches that hold you accountable,” she says. “Once you pass the two-week mark, it becomes addicting, both mentally, and physically. You’ll start to crave it. No one has ever regretted a workout even when they didn’t feel like doing it beforehand. You have my word on that one.”
What are recommended gym workouts for beginners?
“Totally depends on what your goals are,” says Quinn. “For losing weight, you’ll want to do the stairs, treadmill, or cardio. For toning, you’ll train with weights or do Pilates. If you want to increase your flexibility, try yoga.” Ezekh encourages full-body workouts. “Exercises like bodyweight squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks are a good starting point,” he says.