Trying something for the first time.
By Director, Aaron Nauta
The first time you try something, such as joining a gym, a fitness class or in my case trying my very first Triathlon next year, it can be very intimidating! There could be people who have been training or involved in the activity for longer and seem more advanced than yourself, there are pieces of equipment you may not know how to use and you may not feel the most confident about your level of knowledge and confidence regarding the activity. If this is how you are feeling, you can try out a few of these tips that may help make your transition into whatever you are trying out a little easier!
Get A Tour Or Set Up A Meeting
By calling ahead and setting up a meeting and/or tour, you are able to get a bit of information about what will happen and what to expect about the activity you are about to do.
Set Up A One On One Session
One-on-one is a great way to learn how to use the equipment properly and get familiarized with the centre or area. You’ll be able to work on your form and get insider knowledge from someone who is an expert in the field. Bonus: you’ll know at least one friendly face every time you come attend the gym, activity or new venture!
If you can’t afford a one on one session, it would be a good idea to ask a trainer or organizer to show you around for a few minutes. Don’t be shy; ask for help.
Invest In The Equipment!
When working with a client, one of the first things I make sure they have is a pair of comfortable, supportive shoes and this should be one of your first moves too! Having comfortable and supportive footwear will save your body from injuries and make exercising more enjoyable, without all the pain from impact. Shoes are usually one of the main thing that are neglected, yet are probably the most important. Think about the current shoes you wear to the gym, participating in sports or simply walking daily in, how long have you been wearing them? Cushioning in shoes generally last 500 – 700KM or 8 – 12months. If you have a pair of runners older than that, it’s time for them to go!
Train With A Friend
Organise to meet up with friends or joining an activity with them at the gym and creating a good network around your favourite activities can make sticking to it much more successful. On the days when you are most reluctant to go to the gym, they can help motivate you and keep you accountable. These are the days that it is the most important and meaningful as exercise can help improve mood, increase immunity and decrease stress. Take a no excuse attitude. Starting December, at AB Corporate Fitness we will be having ‘Train With A Friend For Free’ day once a week, where you can bring a new a friend or family member new to the gym to train for FREE!
Book & Schedule Your Activities
By scheduling your activities, you prioritize them as being important to you! We all live busy lives, whether it be work, kids, family commitment or something else and it’s easy to overlook your personal health and wellbeing if you’re not setting aside time for it. Set yourself up for success by committing yourself to just 2 or 3 sessions of your class or activity weekly and at time that works for you. By writing it down or entering it on your calendar as an ongoing commitment, it won’t be as easy for you to double book yourself!
Identify The “Why”
Why do you want to do this? What’s in it for you? Write this reason why down, put it somewhere to see. This is a huge part of staying motivated, constant and keeping positive when you’re starting something new! Identify why you’re ready to incorporate this new activity into your life and reach your goals! This might take some thought and digging, but you want it to be meaningful as some days, you will feel like quitting! This reason could possible be so that you are able to keep up with your kids , feeling strong in your own body or just setting aside time to focus on your own well-being!
