Here are some things to keep in mind if this is your first time doing a structured workout program:
1) You only have one body, and we want to keep it healthy for the rest of your life, so don’t overdo it on Day 1 or Week 1! Acclimate your body to the new regime, and then be satisfied with a slow trendline of improvement. Sometimes you might plateau. That’s OK! Let’s talk about it.
2) Ignore others in the gym. You have already gone a step farther than most people who don’t exercise, so be proud! Everyone is in the gym for self-improvement, and we were all beginners once. Don’t be distracted by others weights or form– we all have different goals and there are a million methods to achieve them!
3) Develop a flow as you move through your workouts. This takes practice because setting up for new moves can take time, especially if you need to move to another part of the gym. You’ll get better at this with practice, as the moves become more familiar and second-nature. What we are trying to do is maintain an elevated heart rate for the duration of the workout so we can create an “oxygen debt” during the workout, which will burn fat and improve your cardio by limiting rest periods. Some discomfort is normal, but it is only temporary, and you should feel fabulously energized when it’s over. That said, don’t rush if you feel your form is deteriorating. Proper form, always, is key to injury prevention.
4) Be ready to modify. Maybe you don’t have time to do the full number of reps. Maybe your body really doesn’t feel right if you increase the weight. This is normal! Sometimes just showing up is victory. However, if you plateau or backslide over a long period, let’s talk! We want to find the sweet spot where the gratification of improvement drives a long-term cycle of progress. One percent improvement every day is 365% improvement in a year!