How To Start Exercising:
What You Need To Know

Most people struggle with how to start exercising. It can seem really intimidating getting your gear, choosing the kind of workout, making time…

Weight training is one of the best methods of strength training! If you want to start weight training safely and effectively, with the best info, diet, and routines, check out the 5 Day Beginner Weight Training Course!

Also, this checklist gives you a place to start. Just get these issues taken care of and getting your workout routine going will be much less daunting.

1. Make The Time

The most important part of how to start exercising is finding the time. Without that, you'll never exercise regularly.

Make time in your schedule. Find a time slot that works for you. If you're a morning person, great, go for it!

I'm a night owl — I stay up late. So afternoon or evenings are normally when I work out.

Finding just 2 to 4 hours a week shouldn't be too hard. Even if you're really busy, it still shouldn't be too hard. You're serious about exercising, right? Right?

Also, paradoxically, the busier I am (up to a point) the easier it is to get more done. But when I'm on vacation, when I've just come back, even though I have gobs of free time, I can't seem to get anything done!

So keep yourself busy, but on target.

2. Get Your Equipment Together

Gather your running shoes, socks, a T-shirt, and shorts. Maybe a water bottle and gym bag.

Don't go overboard here. Keep it simple and functional. You don't need cool energy bars, sexy and expensive workout clothes, or $300 shoes.

Functional is far superior to flashy. But if flashy motivates you to get out there and show your stuff, then by all means, go for it.

3. Start!

Yes, start! Start running, jogging, or doing something.

I am vehement about this because it's so easy to keep researching different workouts, to be torn by indecision about going to the gym, or to find some convenient reason to stay home.

Don't.

Register for a class, run, try out some of the weight machines at the gym, hire a personal trainer — do something while your enthusiasm is still hot!

It's very easy to lose motivation and momentum when you're starting. So, learn how to start exercising and work out the details of the best kind of exercise for you later. Start with something that you know how to do that (ideally) holds your interest.

And here's the obligatory caveat: Check with your doctor first if that's an issue for you, so that you don't injure yourself. As soon as you have their go-ahead, go for it!

4. Modify and Adapt Your Program

This is a long-term issue, but it's important to note when you consider how to start exercising. Your exercise program will change as time goes on, so be ready for it.

When you're just beginning, the habit of exercising is more important (really) than doing the absolutely perfect kind of exercise in the perfect way with perfect timing and nutrition. As you exercise more, the kind of exercise starts to matter.

I really love strength training, as you might have guessed from the name of this site, Complete Strength Training. ;-)

Getting yourself hurt now with poor form while using barbells and dumbbells is a stupid thing to do. Don't be stupid. Be smart, use good form and gradual progression, and get strong.

5. MAKE SURE YOU'RE HAVING FUN!!

The most important part of how to start exercising? MAKE IT FUN!

It won't be like eating pumpkin pie every day, but it can be fun. Find a kind of exercise that's fun for you and do it!

I think strength training is great, but if it's biking or inline skating or dancing, go with it. Enjoying it will keep you doing it for a long time to come, which is how you get good.

You will work hard and make progress little by little. But for now, just focus on starting as soon as possible. Even tomorrow! If there's time, maybe even today. ;-)

Oh, and be sure to sign up for the e-zine Starting Strong to get monthly strength training, exercise, and diet tips e-mailed to you - and access to the free e-book Train Smart, Eat Smart: Exercise Nutrition Hacks!

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