Gym workouts for beginners

Are you looking for a way to get fit, healthy, and strong? Do you want to learn how to use the gym equipment and perform the exercises correctly?

If you are new to the gym, you might feel overwhelmed by the variety of machines, weights, and exercises available. But don’t worry, we are here to help you.

In this blog post, we will show you a full-body and lower-body workout plan that you can follow as a beginner. These workouts are designed by a top personal trainer and will help you build your strength, endurance, and confidence in the gym.

What are the benefits of gym workouts for beginners?

Gym workouts have many benefits for your physical and mental health. Some of the benefits are:

  • They improve your cardiovascular fitness and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
  • They increase your muscle mass and bone density, which can prevent osteoporosis and sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss).
  • They boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories and fat, which can aid in weight loss and weight management.
  • They enhance your mood and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, by releasing endorphins and other neurotransmitters in your brain.
  • They improve your posture, balance, coordination, and flexibility, which can prevent injuries and improve your quality of life.

What do you need to start gym workouts for beginners?

Before you start your gym workouts, you need to prepare yourself and your equipment. Here are some tips to get you ready:

¡》Get a gym membership or a trial pass.

You can choose a gym that is convenient, affordable, and has the facilities and equipment that you need. You can also ask for a tour or an orientation session to familiarize yourself with the gym layout and rules.

¡¡》Get a personal trainer or a workout buddy.

If you are not sure how to use the gym equipment or perform the exercises, you can hire a personal trainer or ask a friend to join you. A personal trainer can design a customized workout plan for you, teach you the proper form and technique, and motivate you to reach your goals.

A workout buddy can also provide you with support, encouragement, and accountability.

¡¡¡》Get the right clothing and shoes.

You should wear comfortable, breathable, and flexible clothing that allows you to move freely and sweat. You should also wear supportive and cushioned shoes that fit well and protect your feet and ankles.

Avoid wearing jewellery, accessories, or anything that can get caught in the machines or weights.

¡V》Get a water bottle and a towel.

You should stay hydrated and drink water before, during, and after your workout. You should also bring a towel to wipe your sweat and clean the equipment after you use it.

V》Get a warm-up and a cool-down.

You should always warm up before your workout and cool down after your workout. A warm-up is a low-intensity activity that prepares your body and mind for the exercise.

It can include jogging, cycling, skipping, or stretching. A cool-down is a low-intensity activity that helps your body and mind recover from the exercise. It can include walking, stretching, or breathing exercises.

What are the best gym workouts for beginners?

Now that you are ready to start your gym workouts, you need to choose the exercises that suit your goals and fitness level. As a beginner, you should focus on learning the basic movements and building your foundation.

You should also start with low weights and reps and gradually increase them as you progress. Here are two sample workout plans that you can follow as a beginner.

One is a full-body workout that targets all your major muscle groups. The other is a lower-body workout that focuses on your legs, gluts, and core. You can alternate between these two workouts and do them three times a week, with at least one rest day in between.

¡》Full-body workout for beginners

This workout consists of six exercises that work your upper body, lower body, and core. You should do three sets of 10 to 15 reps for each exercise, with 60 to 90 seconds of rest between sets.

You should also rest for two to three minutes between exercises. Here are the exercises and how to do them:

  • Squat:

This exercise works your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core. To do it, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides.

Keep your chest up, your back straight, and your core tight. Bend your knees and hips and lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Pause for a second and then push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Bench press:

This exercise works your chest, shoulders, and triceps. To do it, lie on a flat bench and hold a barbell with a medium grip, slightly wider than your shoulders.

Lift the bar off the rack and hold it above your chest with your arms fully extended. Keep your elbows slightly bent and your wrists straight. Lower the bar to your chest, touching it lightly. Pause for a second and then press the bar back up to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Deadlift

This exercise works your back, gluts, hamstrings, and core. To do it, stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a barbell with a mixed grip, one hand overhand and one hand underhand.

The bar should be close to your shins. Keep your chest up, your back flat, and your core tight. Bend your knees and hips and lift the bar off the floor.

Keep the bar close to your body and your arms straight. Extend your knees and hips and stand up with the bar. Pause for a second and then lower the bar to the floor. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Shoulder press:

This exercise works your shoulders, triceps, and core. To do it, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder level.

Keep your elbows bent and your palms facing forward. Keep your chest up, your back straight, and your core tight. Press the dumbbells up over your head until your arms are fully extended. Pause for a second and then lower the dumbbells to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Bent-over row:

This exercise works your back, biceps, and core. To do it, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with a medium grip, slightly wider than your shoulders.

Bend your knees slightly and hinge at your hips, keeping your back flat and your core tight. The bar should be hanging in front of your knees. Pull the bar to your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Pause for a second and then lower the bar to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Plank:

This exercise works your core, especially your abs and oblique’s. To do it, get into a push-up position and place your elbows on the floor, directly under your shoulders. Keep your body in a straight line from your head to your heels. Keep your core tight and your glutes squeezed. Hold this position for as long as you can, breathing normally.

¡¡》Lower-body workout for beginners

This workout consists of six exercises that work your legs, glutes, and core. You should do three sets of 10 to 15 reps for each exercise, with 60 to 90 seconds of rest between sets.

You should also rest for two to three minutes between exercises. Here are the exercises and how to do them:

  • Lunge:

This exercise works your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core. To do it, stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides. Keep your chest up, your back straight, and your core tight.

Take a big step forward with your right leg and bend your knees until your right thigh is parallel to the floor and your left knee is almost touching the floor. Pause for a second and then push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat with your left leg and alternate for the desired number of reps.

  • Leg press:

This exercise works your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. To do it, sit on a leg press machine and place your feet on the platform, shoulder-width apart. Keep your knees slightly bent and your toes pointed slightly outward.

Hold the handles on the sides and release the safety bars. Keep your chest up, your back flat, and your core tight. Push the platform away from you until your legs are fully extended. Pause for a second and then bend your knees and bring the platform back to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Leg curl:

This exercise works your hamstrings and glutes. To do it, lie on a leg curl machine and place your ankles under the padded rollers. Keep your hips down and your knees slightly bent.

Hold the handles on the sides and keep your chest up, your back flat, and your core tight. Curl your legs up toward your glutes, squeezing them at the top. Pause for a second and then lower your legs to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Leg extension:

This exercise works your quads and core. To do it, sit on a leg extension machine and place your ankles under the padded rollers. Keep your knees at a 90-degree angle and your toes pointed up.

  • Hip thrust:

This exercise works your glutes, hamstrings, and core. To do it, sit on the floor and lean your upper back against a bench. Place a barbell across your hips and hold it with both hands.

Keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Keep your chest up, your back flat, and your core tight. Lift your hips off the floor until your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.

Pause for a second and then lower your hips to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Calf raise:

This exercise works your calves and ankles. To do it, stand on a step or a block and hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides.

Keep your toes on the edge of the step and your heels hanging off. Keep your chest up, your back straight, and your core tight. Lift your heels up as high as you can, contracting your calves.

Pause for a second and then lower your heels to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

  • Crunch:

This exercise works your abs and core. To do it, lie on your back and place your hands behind your head. Keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.

Keep your chin off your chest and your elbows out to the sides. Keep your core tight and lift your shoulders off the floor, curling your upper body toward your knees.

Pause for a second and then lower your shoulders to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

How to optimize your gym workouts for beginners?

To get the most out of your gym workouts, you need to follow some simple guidelines that will help you improve your performance and results. Here are some tips to optimize your gym workouts:

¡》Set realistic and specific goals:

You should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from your gym workouts, whether it is to lose weight, gain muscle, improve your health, or enhance your skills.

You should also set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that will help you track your progress and stay motivated. For example, instead of saying “I want to get fit”, you can say “I want to lose 10 pounds and run a 5K in 12 weeks”.

¡¡》Follow a balanced and varied program:

You should follow a program that covers all the major muscle groups and exercises, and that changes every few weeks to prevent boredom and plateaus.

You should also balance your workouts with adequate rest and recovery, and avoid overtraining and injuries. You can use the workout plans we provided as a starting point, and then modify them according to your needs and preferences.

¡¡¡》Use the correct form and technique:

You should always use the correct form and technique when performing the exercises, as this will ensure your safety and effectiveness.

You should also use the appropriate weight and resistance, and avoid lifting too heavy or too light. You can ask a personal trainer or a workout buddy to check your form and give you feedback. You can also use a mirror or a video camera to monitor your own form and technique.

¡V》Eat well and hydrate:

You should eat a balanced and nutritious diet that supports your gym workouts and your overall health. You should eat enough calories and protein to fuel your muscles and recovery, and avoid processed and junk foods that can hinder your performance and results.

You should also drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout, and avoid alcohol and caffeine that can dehydrate you and affect your sleep quality.

V》Have fun and enjoy yourself:

You should have fun and enjoy yourself when doing your gym workouts, as this will make them more enjoyable and rewarding. You should also celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for your hard work.

You can also listen to music, watch TV, read a book, or chat with a friend while doing your gym workouts, as long as they don’t distract you from your form and technique.

Conclusion

Gym workouts are a great way to get fit, healthy, and strong, and to improve your physical and mental well-being. As a beginner, you can start with these simple and effective gym workouts that will help you build your foundation and confidence in the gym.

You can also follow these tips to optimize your gym workouts and achieve your goals faster and easier. Remember to always consult a qualified personal trainer before starting any exercise program, and to listen to your body and adjust your workouts accordingly.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it useful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and happy gymming.

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