Starting a workout routine can seem daunting, especially if you’re quite new to working out on a regular basis.
The important thing is to just start, don’t overthink it.
Exercise not only improves your physical health but also has a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being.
This is why everyone should be incorporating some sort of workout into their daily routine.
In this article, we will discuss ways in which you can start working out.
We’ll even dive deeper into our online fitness app and how you can start your fitness journey.
We want you to come away from reading this article with the confidence that you can start exercising regularly.
Let’s get into it!
Why You Should Start Working Out
Starting a regular workout routine is essential for a number of reasons.
It enhances cardiovascular fitness, strength, and flexibility while aiding in weight management.
Regular physical activity reduces the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, and can increase your lifespan.
Beyond the physical benefits, working out releases endorphins, often referred to as “feel-good” hormones, which can alleviate stress and boost your mood.
Exercise can enhance self-confidence and promote better sleep, helping you lead a more energetic and fulfilling life.
Working out is a powerful investment in your overall health and happiness, making the decision to start working out a wise and rewarding choice.
Check out our morning workouts for women here and get started with a quick 15-minute workout.
How to Start Working Out
Here are some steps to help you get started on working out:
Set Clear Goals
Setting goals is a great place to start your workout journey.
Goals provide a sense of purpose and direction, helping to keep you motivated and committed to your fitness journey.
Whether your objective is to lose weight, build muscle, improve endurance, or enhance overall well-being, having specific goals allows you to tailor your workouts and track progress.
They act as a roadmap, helping you stay on track and measure your success, which can be incredibly motivating.
Setting goals also encourages accountability and helps you establish a structured workout plan, making it more likely that you’ll stick with it in the long run.
The sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving your fitness goals can boost your self-confidence and further reinforce your commitment to a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Choose an Activity You Enjoy
You don’t want working out to seem like a chore, which is why it’s important to find something that you enjoy doing.
When you engage in an activity you find fun and fulfilling, it transforms exercise into a more rewarding experience.
When you do something you enjoy you will be more likely to stick to it. It becomes a source of pleasure and stress relief, promoting consistency.
And being consistent with your workouts is key to getting the best out of them.
Whether it’s dancing, hiking, swimming, or playing a sport, self-discipline is key to finding a manageable workout routine.
Finding something that involves moving your body and working up a sweat is enough. Of course, it needs to align with your goals but enjoying it is the overall goal.
Create a Schedule
A schedule provides structure and organisation, helping you allocate dedicated time for exercise amidst the demands of daily life.
By establishing specific workout times, you’re more likely to prioritise and commit to your fitness goals, reducing the likelihood of procrastination.
Well-planned schedules allow you to mix up different exercise routines that will contribute to your overall fitness goals.
Consistency is key to achieving long-term health and fitness goals, and a schedule helps build a routine, making it easier to form the habit of regular exercise.
Check out our list of the best fitness apps to help start your journey.
Set Realistic Expectations
A huge mistake that most people make when embarking on their workout journey is setting unrealistic expectations.
They want to see positive changes happen in a matter of days or else they might get discouraged.
The truth is that working out is something that you want to be doing for essentially the rest of your life.
So there is no point in thinking for the short term. And also, results don’t happen in the short term. Not lasting results anyway.
Have it in your mind that you may not see results for the first few months or even the first year.
Understand that progress takes time.
Make SMART goals to help you keep your realistic expectations.
Consider Taking Classes
While you don’t need to attend fitness classes to start working out, they can be hugely beneficial for you to stick to a consistent workout routine.
Classes offer a structured and guided approach to exercise, especially for beginners. This structure can offer you a roadmap towards establishing a consistent workout routine.
Our powerful web exercise app can give you access to hundreds of online fitness classes that can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Inside you’ll be able to take part in our live workouts which happen four times a week. You’ll also be able to receive personal 1 to 1 advice and guidance from our trainers.
This personal approach can give you the confidence to not only stick to your workout routine but also maximise your efforts when doing each workout.
Track Your Progress
As you go through your workout journey you will start to make progress. Whether that’s improving your body shape, or just being in a better mood overall throughout the day.
We understand the benefits exercise has for the body and mind.
But to see the true nature of your progression, it’s best to keep track of your journey.
You want to look back on your journey and see how far you’ve come, this will inspire you to keep going and appreciate your efforts which have gotten you to where you are.
Keeping track of your journey can also tell you when you are stagnating. It can offer insight into when you might need to pivot and adjust your workouts.
You will face many challenges on your workout journey, but by keeping track you give yourself the road map to retrace your steps and give you confidence you can overcome new challenges ahead.
Rest and Recovery
There are no two ways about it, working out your body can make it sore, tired and fatigued.
These are good signs as they show your body is growing and adapting to your new regime.
What’s very important to remember is that your body needs to be managed and looked after.
There is no point in running your body into the ground and risking an injury.
If this were to happen your workout journey would end before it’s even begun.
All of the top athletes who are in phenomenal shape take rest and recovery days so there is no reason you shouldn’t either.
This particular study showed the positive effects sleep and recovery practices had on athletes.
Studies like these highlight the important role recovery plays in our overall fitness journey.
Those days that you’re resting don’t mean you should lie around and do absolutely nothing. Get out for a brisk walk and keep moving.
Just ensure your sleep is on point and that you don’t participate in any resistance training.
You can also see the best muscle recovery foods, or some low-calorie foods for effective weight loss here.
Stay Motivated
Motivation is fleeting so it’s not something you can rely on all the time to get you through your journey.
But it’s something that can be deployed strategically throughout your journey to give you that much-needed boost.
One study looked at the relationship motivation had with the frequency, intensity and duration of exercise. The study concluded that motivation does play a part in contributing to exercise behaviour.
We know that while the link between motivation and exercise is positive, there is more to it than meets the eye.
There is also different types of motivation to consider, including:
- Intrinsic motivation – This is motivation that comes from a desire within yourself to achieve a desired outcome. If you find something intrinsically motivating then you’ll find a reward in doing it.
- Extrinsic motivation – This motivation comes from your external world. You’re seeking either a reward or trying to avoid punishment for not doing something.
No single type of motivation is necessarily better than the other. The two can be used together to achieve a desired outcome.
How to Start Exercising with POW8R
Remember that consistency and commitment are key to a successful workout routine.
Start with small, achievable steps, and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as your fitness improves. You can also build healthier habits with POW8R.
As mentioned, we have our own web-based app at POW8R.
We can help you stay motivated and accountable using our amazing and engaging community; sharing tips and insights to help you on your fitness journey – we’re with you every step of the way.
Use the app to also get tips on how to exercise properly and get the most out of your workouts.
Check out our membership levels and see which plan suits you.
We hope that you enjoyed this insight into how to start working out and that you now have the necessary tools to get started on your workout journey.