How Do You Start Working Out?

Q: I want to start working out but hiring a personal trainer to show me what to do is out of the question because I’m broke. None of my friends are into working out either, so having them show me what to do is also out of the question. Given those challenges, how do I start working out without the risk of going viral from doing an exercise so wrong that everyone in the gym whips out their phone to record me and post it online?

A: So how do you start working out?

When you start working out, having a personal trainer is the best thing you can do because a trainer can help with the basics and take the guesswork out of things by telling you what exercises to do for your specific goal and demonstrating how to perform them and use the equipment so you get the most benefit and reduce the risk of injury. One or two sessions with a trainer may be all it takes to get comfortable enough to work out by yourself and many gyms offer complimentary training sessions or a discounted rate for first-time clients, so it may be in your interest to take advantage of that service where available.

If you don’t have access to complimentary or discounted sessions then sure, the cost of having a personal trainer may be prohibitive, especially if you need one for an extended period of time. In the event that personal training isn’t feasible, another option is an online coach who can provide the same services but by way of digital communication. That comes at a cost that’s generally more affordable. But if that’s still too much, the free alternative to employing a professional is to go to the gym with a friend or family member who works out so you can learn by exercising with them.

Working with someone who’s familiar with the gym is the best way to begin working out as a total newb who doesn’t want to embarrass themselves by doing something completely wrong because they’re under the mistaken idea that people are paying more attention to them than they actually are.¹ But what about when you’re not in the position to avail yourself of an expert or personal acquaintance who knows what to do in the gym?

So how can you avoid humiliation?

As it turns out, there’s this technology called the “internet” that allows you to find workout programs and exercise routines that are tailored to certain goals in their prescription of what exercises to perform and the number of sets and repetitions to do them for. This thing called the “internet” also has the ability to help you find videos of virtually every exercise so you can see how a movement is performed and then carry it out at the gym as you look at yourself in the mirror or record yourself with your phone to compare and contrast yourself with to make sure that you have the proper form.

The new invention called the “internet” is how you can start working out at the gym without the risk of making yourself look bad in the process when you can’t employ a trainer or don’t have people in your circle who are active gym-goers. Programs, routines, videos, guided workouts, and other online sources are all viable options for you to have a basic understanding of what to do in the gym when you lack the knowledge. So too is doing things the prehistoric way of just going to the gym and *gasp* asking a fit looking motherfucker for help!²

Now, does anyone else have a fitness or nutrition question of their own that they want to ask?

Glossary: exercise, fitness, goal, gym, gym mirror, gym-goer, lifting form, nutrition, personal trainer, program, reps, routine, work out, workout

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Monster Longe

Monster Longe is a personal trainer and online coach in San Diego. He's helped hundreds of people lose weight, build muscle, and become more attractive to their loved one so they don't have as strong of a desire to cheat on them anymore. When not working with clients or making content that's easy to read, understand, and apply to everyday life, he enjoys making fun of Drake and people who like the guy.

How Do You Start Working Out?

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