2016 - #mission - Part 2 - where to start?

Moving onto part 2, here are some helpful bits and pieces to get you started on your exercise journey.

1) length of time in gym does not equal better results

- Sure if you do something for long enough you will see an improvement, but who has the time? over the past 5 years High intensity Interval training (HIIT) has become really popular (your metafits, insanity, home-based workouts) as you work REALLY hard for a short space of time (20-30sec) then rest (again 20-30 sec or slightly longer) and this form of training is very good at burning fat, saving time (can be complete in under 30mins!) and much faster health benefits than the traditional pounding the streets (and you don't need any fancy equipment, normally bodyweight exercises are enough!)

2) you will be sore after your first day of working out, trust me, it does get easier!

- if you have an exercise programme that you are following, or a personal trainer etc, don't be surprised if you hurt the next day (sometimes even the following day) the best thing to do is keep moving - you muscles are damaged in a way they haven't been for a while (or ever!) and sitting still for prolonged periods of time will only make it worse.

I recommend after every session or before you go to bed, take 5-10mins to do some stretches and throughout each and every day do some to keep you supple (I will post a guide to stretches shortly!)

3) Get your technique right and as you get stronger, everything will be much easier.

- There's nothing worse than having bad technique. Poor form will more than likely cause an injury, or a shortening of the muscle in such a way that you will damage it doing the most silliest of things - such as planting a flower and you hurt your back - and these aches and pains can be avoided through proper technique.

If you are unsure of what technique you should be doing for ANY exercise, please just message me, I love to help folk (no charge!) because without proper technique, you won't get any stronger as you won't use the muscles the exercise is intended to work, which kind of defeats the purpose of you doing it!

4) Start with bodyweight exercises

- the gym is a scary place, I know, my other half hates the gym as there is an assumption you should 'know what you are doing'. If you are scared of the gym you can still exercise ANYWHERE you can stand (so no excuses)

Mastering your body weight the best way to get started before you touch any weights, I mean, if you can squat your own body weight, why put a heavy bar on top of you that might cause you injury?

Mastering your bodyweight doesn't have to take long, it can literally be a trainer showing you how to squat, deadlift, press up, dip and a few others! then when you know these basics and do a little workout with them, you can add in dumbbells, kettlebells etc etc! NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK :) if you don't want to ask the trainers at your local gym, ask me!

5) Doing classes can be a good bet at getting you started.

- Group exercise classes can be a great way of getting started in exercise, they have music, they have motivational instructors and they tell you what to do! great!

This is good if you are going with a friend as you can both experiment together, however I know that it can be intimidating when 'Jeannie who always goes' is right there in the front raring to go, Don't be scared to tell the instructor this is your first time and aren't sure what to do - a good instructor will help you and keep an eye on you! - and if you don't like that class, well the worst thing is you did a workout and figured out you didn't like it!

The benefits of group exercise are well documented, even outwith a studio doing things with friends or in small groups is very beneficial motivation and results wise!

Another 5 little points, tomorrow I will post a workout for you to do, anywhere, anytime!