There is a saying that fear makes a wolf bigger than it is. This proverb applies particularly well to bodybuilding, especially when you start. The gym might seem a little terrifying, there are indeed a lot of unknown machines and a bunch of impressive strong guys.
Here are some tips to ensure that your first experience is pleasant (at least not traumatic) and makes you want to go back and build those muscles you deserve!
Find the perfect gym
The next step is to find the gym that best suits you and your goals.
First of all, you have to think about location, you have to find the most practical place for you, to establish a flawless routine and regularity.
The second point to consider is to find a gym that brings together all your points of interest. If you like CrossFit, make sure the gym you go to has adequate facilities for this type of practice.
If you have no interest in Powerlifting, don’t go to a gym that worships this aspect of bodybuilding. We find everything these days, some sports halls are greatly expanding their activities, whether it’s karate, Yoga, or Pilates.
Avoid rush hours
That’s it, you have finally found the gym that suits you, now what you want is to avoid the crowded hours when practitioners are queuing for the machines.
There are no real miracle solutions, either you go there as soon as it opens (you have to have a hell of a mind) before going to work, or you have the possibility of going there between noon and 2. Enter the name of your gym on Google to know its peak times and adapt your schedule.
The morning is really the best option to start the day off right, it’s also a great way to relieve stress and at least you start the day with one less thing to do.
You won’t say to yourself later: “what a shitty day, and think that I still have my training to do tonight before I can relax”.
Have a program
There’s nothing worse than walking around the gym without knowing what you’re doing, what the goal of the session is, etc.
You’re there like a zombie walking around, doing 2-3 curls here, a bit of bench press there, and above all a lot of nothing.
We see these members everywhere, they may be very regular, but do not do much in the end. Don’t be one of those people, the internet is there for you, there are lots of online programs, YouTube videos.
Select ones that seem to correspond to your objectives, test them (over time), and above all, adapt them to your objectives and your feelings.
With a training plan, you’ll have a lot more of that feeling of accomplishment at the end of a session, that same satisfaction you get when you fold your to-do list, and above all, you’ll get results!
Never compare yourself to others
You are now in your gym that you love, you have your routine, are regular, follow your training plan perfectly and your movements are impeccable! It’s great!
Now, don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others…seriously! You will quickly notice that even some women will lift more than you!
This advice is all the more true in our Instagrammian era, in which the monstrous physiques that represent 1% of the population seem to us to be “normal”, thus making your progress and your physique seem insignificant.
Some gyms have mechanisms like lunk alarm to separate newbies from professionals, but even if your gym does not do that. Do not be intimidated, do not compare. No one else matters, it’s really only you and your goals that matter, no matter how long it takes, just make sure you’re heading in the right direction and being consistent.
Find a training partner (or a good playlist)
It is obvious that having a partner to train has many benefits, it allows you to train harder and to get those last 2 repetitions that you would have given up if you were alone. It also provides assistance for polyarticular movements such as the squat.
Finally, it allows you to be more regular, there will always be one to motivate the other not to miss a session, and if you set a training session for 7 a.m., you will be there, because you don’t want to crash your partner!
If you don’t have a partner and you can’t find one, find yourself a playlist, as it can be very motivating.
As for assistance, when you need it, don’t stay in your bubble, take those headphones off and just ask others for help, there’s nothing wrong with that, and that’s also how you find new training partners.
