15 things to remember when starting the gym this September
Starting the gym in September is an excellent idea, especially if you’re in Tunbridge Wells, as it aligns with the back-to-school and end-of-summer motivation boost. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed a fantastic summer and are now looking to get yourself back to the level of fitness that you had ahead of hitting the all-inclusive bar.
The tough part is just where do you start? We understand it’s not easy, so here are 15 steps to help so you don’t spring your wheels and fall off the wagon before you can even start to reap the benefits of what fitness can give you.
As let’s not forget those Christmas Parties aren’t all that far away.
Set Clear Goals: Determine what you want to achieve at the gym. Whether it's building muscle, losing weight, improving cardiovascular fitness, or just overall health, having clear goals will help you stay motivated for why you even started.
Create a Realistic Plan: Develop a workout plan that suits your goals, fitness level, and schedule. Consider how many days per week you can consistently commit to the gym and what type of exercises you enjoy. Enjoying it will assist with you wanting to keep returning.
Choose the Right Gym: Research and visit different gyms in your area. Consider factors like location, available equipment, cleanliness, staff knowledge, and membership costs. But don’t let these cloud your judgement to much. How welcome you feel or confident walking in will properly have a greater impact on you continuing to go over the quality of the kit.
Consult a Professional: If you're new to working out or have specific fitness goals, consider working with a personal trainer. They can guide you through your journey with the correct form and intensity in sessions. Plus, additional guidance with nutrition advice to maximise your efforts in the gym.
Start Slowly: It's important to avoid overexertion, especially if you're new to working out. Begin with lighter weights and lower intensity exercises, gradually increasing as your fitness improves.
Incorporate Variety: Don't get stuck in a rut. Include a mix of cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility work. This keeps things exciting and ensures you're working on different aspects of your fitness.
Warm-Up and Cool Down: Always warm up before your workout with dynamic stretches or light cardio. Afterwards, cool down with static stretches to help prevent muscle soreness and improve flexibility.
Stay Hydrated: Drink water before, during, and after your workout to stay hydrated. Dehydration can negatively impact your performance and recovery, so aim for a minimum of 2 litres every day, taking into account the length of workouts, weather temperature and intensity.
Rounded Nutrition: Fuel your body with balanced meals and snacks. Protein is crucial for muscle recovery, while carbohydrates provide energy to hit your workouts. Enjoy your meals while watching your portion sizes in line with your goals. Reward yourself when staying on track, as being too restricted will always lead to over-indulgence.
Consistency is Key: Consistency is more important than intensity. Stick to your workout routine and give your body time to adapt and improve. 3 times a week for a whole year is always better than 4-5 sessions one week and none the next.
Track Your Progress: Make a note of big movements and workouts so you can track how you’re doing. You can also do this with weight, photos and other metrics to see how your body changes. Also, remember how you feel can be the best pat on the back, so always overlook feeling great.
Rest and Recovery: Rest days are crucial for muscle recovery and preventing burnout. Listen to your body, and don't hesitate to take days off when needed. When first starting, most are best suited to moving 3 times a week. This also gives you 1 day off after every session if you can space them out like this. Sometimes, it won’t work, but generally, try to keep 48 hours between sessions. Staying consistent with the number of sessions.
Find a Workout Buddy: Exercising with a friend can make workouts more enjoyable and hold you accountable. You will not fancy it some days, but your buddy will get you there. Remember, you’ll never regret a workout.
Celebrate Achievements: Set small milestones and reward yourself when you achieve them. This can help keep you motivated and focused on your goals. These can be performance-based, body composition or fitting into a pair of jeans. Pick a few to break down your goals into smaller and manageable ones.
Be Patient: Results take time. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate changes. Stay committed, and you'll see progress over time. You’ve started and hopefully started to incorporate fitness into your everyday life.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and make fitness a sustainable part of your lifestyle. Starting your fitness journey at our Tunbridge Wells gym in September, (or even October!) gives you fresh opportunities to make positive changes and create healthy habits.
Imagine where you could be this Christmas with the right guidance…
Even worse, where could you be if you don’t?
The best bit about all this is that SweatIT, your local Tunbridge Wells gym, can help you solve all of the above with our 30-day trial.
Firstly, we offer personalised guidance through personal training to help you realize your fitness goals and set a tailored plan for your journey. Every time you visit us, you’ll be supported by one of our experienced TEAM members, so you can exercise with confidence, knowing you're on the right track.
Additionally, we can assist you in finding the best nutritional approach to enhance your performance in the gym. We believe in balance, ensuring you don’t feel entirely restricted, unlike some other options out there.
We could elaborate on why we can help you look and feel amazing come Christmas, but why not experience it firsthand? Start your 30-day trial with us at SweatIT, your trusted Tunbridge Wells gym, and let us guide you through the start and continuation of your fitness journey this September.
Have any questions or need more information? Do not hesitate to reach out. We’d love to help you achieve your fitness goals.
Have any questions? Do not hesitate to reach out. We’d love to help.
