‘I’m a Trainer, and This Is the Advice I Give People Before They Start a Workout Routine’

Starting a workout routine has its challenges. You’ve probably found yourself wondering what workout you should do, how often, if it should leave you feeling sore or not, and that’s really just the start. All these questions are legit, but no matter how you choose to move your body, it’s important that you don’t do too much too soon or you run the risk of injuring yourself or outright not enjoying it.

How to start a workout routine

Take your time when

“For those who are looking to introduce fitness into their routine, I would encourage them to ease their way into fitness and avoid the mindset of going all out too fast,” says Anissia Hughes, a NASM-certified trainer and creator of the Bodyweight Strength with Anissia on the Sweat app. “It is so important that your body is allowed the time and space to adapt to the stress it is being put through during your workouts,” she explains.

Try different training modalities

If you’ve never exercised before, Hughes recommends testing out different styles of workouts to see what you like the most—from jiu-jitsu to Pilates, the options are endless. If you have a specific goal in mind, Hughes recommends reaching out to an expert in that field, such as a boxing coach if you want to get better at boxing, to provide you with guidance when it comes to training. “It might take trial and error in figuring out what style of movement suits you best, but once you’ve found your true training style, you’ll know.”

Don’t compete with or compare yourself to others

It can be easy to get caught up with how others are training and to feel like you need to be doing more, but you don’t. As long as you’re doing what feels good for you and on a level that is realistic for your needs and goals, you’re okay. “The game of comparison ultimately serves no purpose in helping people progress along their fitness journey. Focus on yourself in this present moment and allow the rest to flow into your life naturally.”

There may be times where you feel challenged mentally and physically or not as motivated, but Hughes wants you to remember that “No matter where you’re at in life right now, you owe it to yourself to love, respect, and treat your body with the care it deserves.” She also says to focus on the things you are capable of instead of focusing on the negative. Most importantly, she says, “Working out is an outlet that allows you to escape from anything you might be dealing with, so allow it to be that therapeutic outlet for you instead of a form of punishment.”

Ready to go? Start out with this 17-minute Pilates workout:

Oh hi! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cult-fave wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly.