Gyms are undeniably daunting places, and as well as worrying that other people will watch whatever you’re doing (which might not be as graceful as you would like to begin with!) you may find yourself with no clue where to get started. After all, everyone has their little cliques, and all of that equipment might look a little alien to your untrained eyes!
Finding your ‘fitness style’ is the best way to overcome those feelings and settle straight into a fitness habit that sticks. When you know what you’re working towards, and how you would like to work towards it, you can stroll straight to the right equipment, and ensure results every time.
But, the gym isn’t a catwalk, and choosing your ideal ‘style’ here is about more than simply selecting the equipment that looks good. Instead, you’ll want to think about the following key considerations.
# 3 – Set Some SMART Goals
In large part, your fitness style will emerge as a result of what you’re attempting to achieve (e.g., toning, stamina, strength). Hence, setting concise and detailed SMART goals at the start of your journey is essential from a style perspective. These goals will help you to narrow down on the types of workouts you should ideally gravitate towards, and also the overall styles that are most likely to suit your needs. SMART goals in particular help with this because they are –
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Timely
SMART goals certainly help to stop you from wasting your time on unwanted workout results that you’ll never be happy with. They also avoid a lot of the in-gym uncertainty that could be standing in the way of your fitness style right now.
# 2 – Consider the Practical Elements of Each Workout
When you start considering the different types of workouts on offer, you’ll quickly realize that they all look very different. They also have vastly different practical requirements to ensure overall workout success. For instance, weight building is as much about diet and recovery as it is about the time you actually spend in the gym. On the other hand, a focus on something like cardiovascular workouts is mostly reliant on what you do during your actual gym time.
Some practical considerations that could be especially helpful for starting to differentiate your workout style include –
- How much time do you have?
Different workout styles require varying time commitments, making this a great starting point for making your decision. If, like most of us, your time is stretched pretty thin, then short, high-intensity cardio workouts might be on the cards. Alternatively, if you’re willing to carve out more time for fitness, a longer-term journey like strength training might suit you better.
- How much money are you willing to spend?
Money also inevitably comes into things here. While a standard focus on, say, cardio-based running can be free if you need it to be, other types of workouts, such as strength training or aqua aerobics, will require a gym subscription at the very least, not to mention the need for additional equipment or supplements at home.
- How much of a commitment until you see results?
Some workouts, such as running or high-intensity options, will result in pretty immediate physical improvements, meaning they require only a small, even half-hour commitment from you every few days. By comparison, something like strength training requires ongoing focus and commitment before improvements are possible, as well as between-workout commitments such as protein-heavy diets or the use of anabolic supplements like those available at pharmagear.pro. Other forms of exercise, such as Zumba, also require ongoing weekly class commitments that might not suit everybody.
# 3 – Be Willing to Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
First day nerves are normal when you initially step into a gym, and you’ll likely panic and pick the first spare piece of equipment you lay eyes on. From then, you may well slip into heading straight back to that same spot every time you hit the gym because you know it, and you know what to expect when you workout that way.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing worse than complacency for harming your fitness journey, especially in those budding stages. While some pieces of gym equipment are undeniably easier to use, taking a risk sometimes could be a far better option for your fitness overall.
Trial classes, which most gyms offer for members, are a great option here as they allow you to test out different workout styles with guidance and community close at hand. Equally, it’s worth simply branching out of your comfort zone at the gym. If you stick to the treadmills, try breaking out into the strength training section next time, or vice versa. As soon as you start taking those risks, you should soon stumble on a workout style that feels like love at first sight.
# 4 – Don’t Ignore Enjoyment
Too many of us see time at the gym as a chore to get through so that we can finally relax for the day. As such, we often assume that suffering or a lack of enjoyment is part and parcel of the process. But let us tell you that simply isn’t the case!
There’s a lot to be said for simply seeking a fitness style that you enjoy. After all, fitness isn’t a one-and-done topic. This is something you’ll need to work at for the rest of your life. So, you might as well have fun while you’re at it, right?
Of course, it’s easy for skeptics to assume that people who enjoy the gym are simply lying to themselves. But, as can be seen from this thread on quora.com that discusses the subject in detail, a lot of people do, indeed, enjoy their workouts. Sometimes, then, simply finding the workout style that puts a smile on your face is the best thing you can do to find your gym groove!
Finding your fitness style can be challenging, but by using these essential tips and focusing on what works for you, you’ll be well on your way!
