4 Essential Do’s and Don’ts When Going To The Gym

It’s that time of year some of us are starting to think about going to the gym. Why? Well summer is long over, we’ve let ourselves go a little, but the holidays are just around the corner and we do want to look good when we get together with all our friends and family we haven’t seen in a while. So going to the gym now is probably a good idea. However, you have to keep in mind that just signing up for a gym membership and showing up once in a while isn’t enough. There’s actually quite a few essential do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind when going to the gym.

1. Do: Ask For Help
You might think that you can just figure out all the machines on your own but there’s a huge difference between just mucking about on a treadmill, doing a few squats and lifting some free weights and having a decent workout that will actually provide some results. Hiring a personal trainer is always a good idea if you’re a beginner at the gym. If you can’t afford to have a session with a personal trainer every time, do it at least once a week. This way you’ll be able to learn proper form, set goals and see progress much faster.

                            

2. Don’t: Workout On An Empty Stomach
Listen, it might sound like a good idea in your head to go to the gym in the morning and burn of some calories before you’ve even eaten anything, but don’t do it. It’s not a good idea for beginners at all. You’ll feel sick, you might vom and the chances of fainting are very high. Do yourself a favor and have breakfast or at least a banana on your way. We’re not suggesting you stuff yourself right before working out, but a little something to give you energy and power through a workout is necessary, especially if you’re a beginner.

                  

3. Do: Think About Your Diet
While we’re on the topic of food let’s mention that a proper diet is what’s most important when losing weight. You will never be able to out exercise a bad diet. So make sure you eat a healthy and balanced meal. The gym will help you look fitter and improve your shape and make your muscles toned, but to lose weight you need to think about what you eat too.

                                 

4. Don’t: Wing It
When going to the gym you need to have a plan. Think about what you’re going to focus on and do that. There’s really no merit in just showing up and doing whatever. You need to have a plan and decide what muscle groups you’re going to be working on today. You can’t just run on the treadmill or elliptical every day, your abs, back and arms need a workout too.