So you’ve finally decided to start keeping yourself fit. Going to the gym is a major accomplishment, but it can be very confusing for someone who has never worked out before.

To utilize the gym properly to reach your fitness goals, here are 6 things you should know before going for your first workout.

HAVE A FITNESS GOAL

Your fitness goal is what you want to achieve while in the gym.

While lots of people go to the gym to loose weight, some go there to build muscle or try to stay fit.

Once you have your fitness goal, you need to identify your body type. This will help you choose the best exercises that fit your body shape and help you achieve your goal.

For instance, lots of people are interested in loosing belly fat. But what they don’t know is there are different belly shapes, and you need to know your belly shape to properly tackle the fat in your tummy.

HAVE A FITNESS PLAN

Once you have a fitness goal, you need to develop a personalised fitness plan.

This includes when you’re gonna go the gym, how many hours you’ll spend there, and lifestyle changes you’ll need to make to achieve your goal.

You may decide to add a diet plan to your exercise or just let go of unhealthy eating habits.

Stick well to your plan and document the changes the changes you see in your body. The best way to do this is through images.

Try to take a picture every week to show you how well the workout plan is working.

IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY, HIRE A PERSONAL TRAINER

When you start out at the gym, you know almost nothing about the various equipment, how they work, and how to utilise them for your fitness goal.

For this reason, its best to have an expert who can teach you how to use the equipment, and help you develop an exercise routine that takes into account your level of fitness, any illnesses you may have, your body type, daily schedule, and fitness goals.

The trainer could also teach you proper exercise technique and breathing patterns.

I suggest having a fitness coach for the first 3 to 4 weeks of exercise.

ALWAYS COME PREPARED

Ensure you’ve eaten and are well rested before coming to the gym. If you’re snacking on energy bars, take it about 2 hours before heading to the gym.

Always have enough water with you while in the gym. You’ll be sweating a lot and you need to drink water to avoid getting dehydrated.

As a beginner, try not to spend more than an hour in the gym each day to avoid overtraining.

WARM UP HELPS A LOT!

Before starting any exercise or workout routine, make sure you warm up first!

Warm up exercises simulate your body and ensure you have enough energy to workout and perform your exercises without easily getting exhausted or tired.

Cardiovascular exercises or cardio are great warm-up exercises. They pump blood into your heart, keep you energized, and are good for maintaining your overall body fitness.

Stretching after a workout is also a form of warming up. It relaxes your muscles, prevents strain, and reduces soreness or pain inflicted on the muscles during your exercise.