If you’re a beginner in the world of fitness, you might be intimidated at first. However, if you take it one day at a time, you can become a pro in no time. As a beginning student in the world of fitness, consider the following tips as you move forward.

1. Set fitness goals.

If you don’t have a vision or a goal to work towards, it can be difficult to achieve anything. This is why it’s great to set fitness goals.

You might decide that you’d like to lose ten pounds over the next three or four months. This is a great goal for a beginner.

However, keep in mind that this is a weight loss goal. A great fitness goal might involve learning to run a specific distance within a specific amount of time. You might create a goal that involves increasing the weight you’re able to squat over a few months.

As you’re able to set those goals, achieve them and surpass them, you’ll simultaneously build your confidence in your ability to conquer physical fitness.

2. Commit to a realistic schedule.

If you currently live a sedentary lifestyle, don’t commit to working out in the gym five days a week. This is a great way to set yourself up for failure.

Instead, it’s best to focus on making sure you develop a schedule that honors what you really need in order to thrive. Since you’re a beginner, start by committing to two days in the gym each week. Once you’ve done this for a few weeks, add on another day.

Continue to increase the amount of time you’re in the gym each week in order to develop a strong sense of consistency.

3. Have accountability.

Have an honest conversation with yourself surrounding the concept of self-motivation. There are plenty of people who are extremely self-motivated. There are others who need the extra push. Know which person you are.

In order to achieve a major goal, most people thrive when they have accountability. If you’re able to find a friend who wants to increase their level of physical activity, it’s great to have a gym buddy.

However, there are plenty of people who use social media as a source of accountability by posting their workouts online. Other people choose to use money as an incentive by hiring a trainer.

If they know they’re paying someone to help them get fit, they’re more likely to show up. Figure out an option that works for you in remaining accountable.

4. Invest in supportive workout gear.

Supportive workout gear is so essential to the journey. Make sure you wear appropriate and breathable fabrics to avoid painful experiences with chafing. If you’re a well-endowed woman, purchase sports bras that are supportive.

Try on the shoes before you purchase them. If you’re making the purchase online, take a look at all of the reviews. The shoes need to support your feet as you’ll be doing a lot of challenging moves with them on.

5. Challenge yourself.

It’s really easy to get stuck in a rut with your workouts. If you love the elliptical machine and only want to use it for your workout, consider a variety of workouts that use the elliptical machine. If you’re used to operating the machine at Level 10, take it up two notches for five minutes.

Then increase the intensity every five minutes. Trick your body by alternating the directions you pedal in. As you alternate the directions and increase the intensity, your body will rise to the challenge.

When you challenge your body, it helps you to get the most out of your workout and lose weight.

6. Create an awesome playlist.

When you ask a person about the last thing they’d want to forget at home, in most cases, they’ll mention their headphones. When you’re not in the mood to exercise, your headphones can serve as the motivating factor to get through it.

This is why so many gyms blast lots of high-energy music. Before you go to the gym, take time to curate a playlist of amazing music that pumps you up to push through a challenging workout.

7. Pay attention to your body.

While it’s important to challenge your body and get your heart rate up, you want to be mindful of times when you’re feeling off. If you’re feeling a lot of pain in your joints, consider trying workouts that are low=impact.

Some great options include swimming and the elliptical machine. If you’re really exhausted, consider taking a break to get a massage or get some rest. You don’t want to push your body to the point where you end up making matters worse.

8. Use the equipment correctly (posture).

When you’re working on developing your muscles and building your body, you want to remember that posture is very important. If you’re not using the right posture, it’s a lot easier to experience an injury.

The same rules apply to machines like the treadmill. Don’t hang on to the sides of the treadmill. If you’re using the sides of the treadmill as your support, you decrease the amount of work you have to do.

Ultimately, it defeats the purpose of working hard to get the results you want for a great fitness routine.

9. Commit to workouts you actually enjoy.

If you know that you detest the rowing machine, don’t force yourself to get on it. If you know that you’d much rather do gym classes with others, sign up at a gym that provides a bunch of fun classes.

When you’re realistic and intentional about finding workouts you really enjoy, you’re more likely to attend the classes and stick with an exercise regimen in the long run.

10. Keep the body guessing.

Find different ways to keep your body guessing. If you love classes, find a few classes that you enjoy and switch it up every few days. Consider developing a love affair with weight-lifting. If you do something different every day, it’ll help you build a well-rounded fitness regimen. As a result, you’ll experience new results with your body as you continue.

Because of your Monday night strength-training sessions, you might see some definition in those upper thighs. Don’t get stuck in a rut. When you’re consistently switching things up, your body will rise to the challenge and respond well.

Remember to have fun with the experience. As you implement these tips, remember that it’s a journey. Commit to the process and you’ll reap the benefits.