Tips for new gym goers

Tips for New Gym Goers

New year, new you time. You do it every year and every year you fall away. Have you ever stopped to think why? It’s easy for us to label people lazy but sometimes It’s not that simple. There are numerous reasons why people fail, or more accurately why they don’t succeed and avoiding these pitfalls can keep you on the road to success.

Jumping in with both feet 
Yes, we want you to have your head in the game 100% but training 7 days a week is not going to work for novices. You’re going to be sore when you start training and your body needs rest. Coming in day in and day out will burn you out and make you not want to go back.

Trying to fix everything at once 
You’ve never been on a gym floor before, you get very little sleep and your diet is bad. Yes, these all need to be fixed but not at the same time. Get yourself into the habit of training first and then fix the rest. Asking someone to do everything at the same is a recipe for disaster.

Have a plan and stick to it 
There might be 50 pieces of equipment in the gym but you don’t have to use all of them. Get a plan from an instructor and stick to it. Your body will adapt quicker and better to a plan then if you are doing different things every time you come in. You will also be less confused about what to do when you come in and so you can concentrate better on your lifting.

Don’t set quick fix goals 
The weight has crept on you over a period of years, you’re not going to lose it in 6 weeks! Have goals, both minor and major, but set realistic targets for yourself. If you’re not sure about time frames for these, ask a trainer, they will guide you in the right direction. A healthy lifestyle should be a way of life, not a new year’s resolution that will last until you get paid at the end of January and go on the rip!!

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail 
Prep your food and get your gym bag ready the night before, then you’ve no excuses to skip a meal (and therefore eat junk) or miss a training session.

Louise Kavanagh - Spencer Health Club Manager