Get Fit Without Stepping Into a Gym

If you want to get in shape, ask anybody and they’ll tell you to head to the gym. Unfortunately, hitting up the local fitness club is not always the greatest idea for everyone.

Going to the gym can be a very daunting experience for beginners and those who are extremely insecure with their bodies.

It will only be a horrifying and torturous experience to be surrounded by fitness fanatics and good-looking people who know exactly what they are doing while staring at you because you don’t.
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Luckily, the truth is that you never even have to step foot into a gym to get fit.

Gyms Are Too Hardcore For Beginners

One of the biggest problems with gyms is that they tend to attract people who are exercise enthusiasts.

Many of these people are not new to working out at all, and they are familiar with how to operate the weight machines and other exercise equipment.

These advanced exercisers usually have specific workout plans that they follow every time they hit the gym. For a beginner, working out alongside “experts” can be extremely intimidating.

Beginners can feel lost because they don’t know where to start or how to work the equipment. Putting themselves in the presence of knowledgeable individuals makes it hard for them to focus on their own goals and makes them very self-conscious.

Most gyms are equipped with mainly weightlifting and cardio equipment. Weightlifting is not a type of exercise that beginners can just pick up and do with no problem.

There is a lot of technique and form that goes into weightlifting, not to mention figuring out what types of exercises to do and how much weight to use. Frankly, there are better exercise options for beginners.

The Better Alternatives

There are many other forms of exercise that would be more suitable for a person that wants to get into shape but doesn’t have much experience doing so.

Hiking is a great form of cardiovascular exercise that keeps the heart healthy while building the muscles in the legs.

It is much more fun and interesting than running on a treadmill because you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the outdoors while you’re working off those extra pounds.

Biking and swimming are sports that also have excellent health benefits. Cyclists will be happy to know that they are already doing something great for their minds and their bodies. The same goes for swimmers.

Swimming is considered to be one of the best full-body exercises out there because it utilizes nearly every muscle. Swimming builds strong arms, shoulders, and back, tones the legs and belly, and gets the heart pumping full throttle.

If you still want to lift weights, think about investing in a weight bench and a barbell set. You can perform nearly every gym exercise with this versatile set-up.

Since free weights can be somewhat dangerous for somebody who isn’t experienced, a home gym system like the Bowflex might be a better choice.

These universal resistance machines also offer the ability to do hundreds of gym-quality exercises without the extra risk of dropping the weights on yourself.

Working out with a friend often makes the session even more fun and engaging than doing it alone.

Especially for those who prefer free weights, having a workout partner play the role of “spotter” greatly decreases the chances for injury related to dropping a dumbbell or barbell.

Remember that it is not necessary to leave the home to get a great workout. You can lift weights, bike, hike, swim, practice martial arts, do yoga, or do a variety of other exercises right in the privacy of your own living room.