Getting Started in the Gym

Getting in the gym or working out in general can be daunting. We want it to be easy. Rather than worry about doing complex workouts, crazy amounts of sets, or even set foot in a gym at first, we want to build up your habit of working out regularly.

If you've never worked out before, it's been a very long time, or you struggle with consistency, this is for you.

The first thing to understand is there is no pressure to do A LOT physically. In the beginning, all we care about is that you do SOMETHING consistently. Training is not about motivation but consistency and discipline.

I don't motivate myself at all. It really comes down to where do I want to be and what do I need to do to get there (this applies to more than just exercise). In the morning before working out the question is not how do I feel, but what do I have to do today to take tiny steps forward?

99% of the time I know exactly what I have to do the next day/morning for training. So I wake up and do that thing.

As for getting back into training from a long break, I think it only takes 1-2 consistent weeks before it starts to become a habit and something you just do every day. During those 1-2 weeks you may have to force yourself to do something (anything) but after that I find myself feeling bad about not training when I know I'm supposed to.

Additionally, for getting started I highly recommend doing the absolute minimum amount of effort. That way it's easy to convince yourself to run, get in the gym, etc. All you have to do is go in the gym and do 3 sets of squats, for example. That takes 10 minutes and you're done. Consistenly do these short, easy workouts until it's a habit. Then slowly ramp up the volume and intensity with our available training programs until you're in a well rounded training cycle built specifically for where you want to be.