Getting Started: 6 Tips for Beginning to Exercise

Below are 6 tips to encourage you on your journey towards a more healthful and active lifestyle and to give you somewhere to start if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed or are struggling to get going...

1. Find a friend that likes to exercise or that wants to get fitter!

Having someone relying on us to turn up and exercise makes it easier for most of us and you can always set small goals for yourselves and tell each other. Telling someone else and having some accountability (however small it may seem) will encourage us to follow through and achieve our goals.

2. Attend groups or classes.

It’s amazing how many people we can meet and connect with just from going to classes or groups. The social support of having other people around us that prioritise their health and fitness can work wonders in helping us create a healthier routine and lifestyle.

3. Try different things

Maybe you’re not into treadmill running but you love to dance- then try some adult dance classes! Or maybe you don’t like high intensity exercise, but you could hill walk every weekend. Which one are you mostly likely to stick with?

Often, we feel pressure to ‘hit the gym’ or go running etc. but if you can find exercise that you really enjoy and that get’s you fired up and inspired to take on the rest of your life with zest then I wholeheartedly encourage you to do that. It’s all about building sustainable habits and enjoying life as much as we can, so if spins not your style but you love rock climbing, or if daily walking is more your vibe- do it and stop seeing exercise as unenjoyable.

4. Move more

It sounds overly simplistic, but the benefits can be huge. Take the stairs, park slightly further away and walk a little, if you sit in a chair all day get up every half hour and do a lap, or count your steps. There are constant opportunities to move more if you look for them. As our bodies get older, or as we become more sedentary, small steps can keep our bodies more mobile and able. Remember our bodies are literally designed to move pretty much all day, even though our modern society doesn’t always promote it, your body will feel the difference if you move more.

5. Start small. You don’t have to run a marathon, nor do you have to complete a triathlon, or enter a strongman competition. Small goals and steps made consistently are more helpful long term than extremes that don’t last. Start small and build from there.

6. Get one-to -one support

If you feel you need it or you’re not sure where to start get one to one support. As a personal trainer I am always happy to help someone who isn’t sure where to start and give them a good solid foundation to build from and I love seeing people begin to live a more active lifestyle in a way that works for them. If you’re booking in with a personal trainer, make sure they have the relevant certification, experience, and knowledge to guide you through your new adventure. Good personal trainers will ask lots of questions regarding health and previous injury and will listen to your likes and dislikes (up to a point 😉 sometimes we all have to do an exercise we don’t like).

If you’d like to work with me get in touch via email, fb, or insta.

Happy training team.