How To Be Successful At The Gym

How To Be Successful At The Gym
Written by Nichole DeHart

This post is geared towards those who are just starting out with a new workout program, but veterans can take to heart the information as well. It’s not uncommon for folks to start out with the best of intentions. They sign up for the gym membership, buy workout gear, get the cool, new, environmentally friendly water bottle, etc…but then fail to execute their plan to utilize the gym. I understand, sometimes we feel overwhelmed with work, travel or just daily stressors that hinder our well-intended desires to be healthier.

Here are a few tips to make your transition into a healthier lifestyle smooth, sustainable and enjoyable:

*Be consistent. Write out a schedule at the beginning of the week and schedule in your gym visit. It shouldn’t be, “well, if I get out of work in time I will try and make the 6:30 pm class.” Schedule your gym visit like you would any other appointment and do everything you can to make that appointment.

*Scale the workout as needed. I occasionally receive emails from people that say something like, “I was going to come in but then I saw what the workout was and I didn’t think I could do it so I skipped class.” Never find yourself with this mentality! We coaches are here for a reason! We will help you scale the workout to make it appropriate for your ability level. This is also why we offer different programs, such as “Fitness” and “Performance.” You have the option to decide which program you would like to follow, depending on your goals.

*Come 5 minutes early, stay 5 minutes late. This is an extra 10 minutes added to your gym experience but it will help you make a ton of progress. Take these extra few minutes to work on your mobility or any skill you are having trouble with. A more mobile body will help you feel better in your workouts. Practicing a skill can help you feel more confident in the group sessions. Take time to take care of you.

*Make relationships. I think this is one of the most important points to having a successful gym experience. These friendships help keep you accountable – you are way more inclined to make it to a session if you have friends and a coach expecting you to be there. Your friends and coaches help make the session fun and will be a source of encouragement. So, next time you are in a group session, introduce yourself to someone new and start building those connections!

*Track your results. There is nothing as unsatisfying as working towards a goal and not seeing progress. However, for progress to be seen, there should be something measurable. Write your workouts down, the weight used and how you felt. By keeping track of your workouts, you can see how much you are improving. The more we see ourselves progress, the more motivated we are to continue on the path we have paved. You can read more about the benefits of keeping track of your workouts here.

Follow these tips and your gym experience is sure to be a success. If you have other ideas or tips that have helped make your gym experience a success, please post them to the comments section!