How to start exercising if you have never worked out before

You have the tights, the crop top, the sneakers and the gym bag.

But now comes the question… where to start? 

If you haven’t exercised before other than perhaps at school or on walks with friends, it’s never too late to give it a try. You may even find you flick the switch on a life-changing passion. 

Here are some exercise tips for absolute newbies: 

Write down what you want

It seems funny to start exercising by putting pen to paper but it can really help to be clear on your goals. 

Take five minutes and write down why you are exercising and what you want to get from it. There are no right or wrong answers but be as specific as possible. For example, you might want to work your way up to a community fun run or be able to live a more active lifestyle with your kids. Your goal is personal and you don’t have to share it with anybody if you don’t want to (although doing so might help keep you accountable).

Read up

Aaand we’re still not on the treadmill. 

Before you start exercising, do your research (as you’re doing now). Understanding the benefits of working out, the changes it can bring to your life and what your options are can help you feel inspired and prepared. 

Another idea to get yourself in the right frame of mind is to check out some videos on Youtube featuring real people who have changed their lives after taking up exercise for the first time. 

Choose your exercise style

If you are dealing with an injury or find yourself struggling in situations where you are over-exerted, it’s not a great idea to start exercising with a high-intensity routine. 

Start with a style of exercise that is right for you. It may be some gentle yoga or a session on a stationary bike. These workouts will be less likely to push your muscles to places they never want to go again. 

Your style may not be gym focused. Instead, you can choose something a bit more outdoorsy like kayaking, dragon boat racing or trail running. 

Work in increments

Your journey to being a workout ninja starts with small steps and you shouldn’t go all-in on your first time.

Swim a couple of laps in the pool or spend half an hour switching between a minute of jogging and walking at a time. Don’t push yourself by trying to break the local speed record or cover an extreme distance. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!

Get help

There are so many people who dedicate their lives to fitness and understanding the human body. 

One of the best ways to start exercising is with one of these experts. Don’t be intimidated! They make their income by helping people with all levels of ability. Getting you from zero exercise to scoring fitness goals will absolutely make their day. 

Even a few introductory sessions with a personal trainer or fitness coach can help you understand what to do and how to avoid injury. 

Set yourself a schedule

Sticking to a workout schedule can be helpful in the early days when you’re starting out. 

Add the time to your diary in a way that works for you. Something like 30 minutes, every other day and an hour once a week could be a realistic effort for you, particularly if you are raising kids. 

Find other beginners

There is nothing like realising you are not the only one when it comes to being completely green at something. 

Lots of local gyms and fitness centres have beginner programs and are looking forward to helping you get started. You may find you make some new friends who will make the journey easier for you. 

Want some cool gear while you exercise? Active Truth has tights, crop tops and more, with a complete plus size activewear range.