Exercise for Beginners Should Be Light and Easy Rather than Forced, According to This Reddit Post
There are a lot of misconceptions about working out, especially how intense an exercise should be. People often praise those who can endure heavy routines, although it will only strain their bodies. The internet also has many influencers that suggest exercises that are not suitable for every body type. That’s why trying out different routines is much more advisable. You don’t always have to follow what many people are doing. The point of exercising is to make your body move and burn those calories. If heavy weights don’t feel right, stick with light to medium workout routines. Listen to your body — choose movements that also offer comfort.
If you are a beginner and don’t have a coach, it’s best to try out easy exercises first. Do not shock and overwhelm your body with sudden big movements that could cause body pain the day after. Redditors have discussed the matter under space_scorpion’s LPT post. OP wrote, “When just starting to exercise, go much easier than what feels natural.” When you find working out too challenging, you’ll be discouraged or unmotivated. Instead of looking forward to it, skipping will sound great for you. It’s not the best way to start a new habit in life, especially if it’s part of your new year’s resolution.
“Your first two weeks when starting a workout should be about building a sustainable habit. Your first week should feel like you’re not exercising. Trying to get into running? Walk or very light jog for a week. Lifting? Use ridiculously light weights,” OP suggested. Exercising will be a part of your daily schedule, so it’s only appropriate to match the intensity with your lifestyle. If you lead a busy life, it’s best to stick with 10-30 minutes daily. Do not push yourself to an hour or so, especially when you’ve spent most of your day at work. The human body needs rest, and it’s your obligation to pause for a moment.
Working out without recovery isn’t healthy, as it only wears out your body. Pilates, yoga, light jogging, or walking is as effective as what others do in the gym, with consistency. “I’ve had to restart exercising a few times over the years for various reasons, and the best advice I can give is to just show up – you don’t even have to do much. Just getting to the gym/trail/pool/etc. is half the battle. I would literally go to the gym and just walk leisurely on the treadmill for a few minutes and maybe lift some weights and then leave,” zyum shared. There’s nothing wrong with starting slow because once your body gets used to working out, it will naturally endure high-intensity routines. Consider the first weeks of training as preparation to build muscles to push through.
The goal is to find a sustainable routine that can easily motivate you to get back on track. You can pause, but never choose to stop. Even if it’s already been months, you could still grab that yoga mat or enroll in the nearest gym. Workouts don’t have to be every day, so you have to shake off the disappointment every time you miss a day. Whether you’re a beginner or having a comeback, always choose what’s comfortable. Exercising should be fun, healthy, and stress-relieving. If you have found your routine, you can share it in the comment section. You can also grab some tips below space_scorpion’s post.
