If you’re new to working out – or you’re thinking about getting started – chances are you’ve asked at least one of these (probably more).
This is normal.
Over the last 17 years of training people, here’s what I’ve found as 10 of the more frequently asked questions and I’d like to answer them for you.
1 – “How Do I Get Started With Working Out?”
If you’re asking this, you’ve already been thinking about exercising and eating better.
So, here’s the answer that most people don’t want to hear:
Just start. Period.
A good plan, executed consistently, is far more effective than waiting to build something perfect. Perfection kills momentum. Action creates momentum. Take action.
Once you start:
- Ask questions
- Learn as you go
- Find an expert who can guide you
You don’t have to know everything. You just need to begin.
2 – “What’s The Best Exercise for Weight Loss?”
Workouts help – especially when it comes to building muscle and improving your health – but they’re usually not the bigger driver for weight loss.
Food choices matter more for your weight (and for your body fat).
That said, when you combine reasonably good nutritional choices with strength training/interval training/CrossFit, you’ve got a powerful recipe for losing weight.
It turns out that it’s not one or the other. It’s both.
3 – “How Long Should My Workouts Be?”
More is not better.
Beginners will try to compensate for uncertainty by exercising more and eating less.
This is usually the recipe (see what I did there) that blows up in their face.
Consistency and intensity are the two things that are going to matter more. For most people, 30-60 minutes is a great starting point.
Long workouts don’t matter if you can’t sustain them.
4 – “How Often Should I Workout Each Week?”
For most beginners, 3 workouts per week is the sweet spot.
You can do more, but only if it fits your work schedule, family commitments, and stress levels.
More is not better if it leads to burnout and quitting. And nobody needs to workout more than 6 days per wek.
5 – “Should I Do Strength or Cardio First?”
The answer is: “yes.”
The answer is also: “it depends.”
One approach (the one I prefer if you don’t CrossFit) is to prioritize your main goal. If I want to build muscle, I’m going to lift first. If I want to improve my endurance, I will do cardio first.
Another approach (this one I prefer if you do CrossFit) is to combine these things together. In CrossFit, we combine your strength work with your conditioning work to make you fitter, stronger, healthier, and to improve your endurance.
Both of these options work. Choose the best option for you and stick with it for a minimum of 3 months.
6 – “How Do I Avoid Getting Bored With Workouts?”
If I’m being completely honest on this one, my brain goes two places:
First:
Mixing things up can help keep workouts interesting – and if it’s interesting, you’ll be more likely to stay consistent with it.
Second:
I don’t care if it’s boring. I care if it’s effective. If you have goals, you do what needs to be done and you do it consistently.
Here’s something influencers don’t want you to know: the most effective stuff is often the most boring stuff. The most exciting stuff is not usually the most effective.
The sweet spot? Finding a balance.
7 – “How Do I Stay Motivated to Work Out?”
It turns out this notion is backwards.
You don’t rely on motivation to begin working out.
You begin working out and then you gain motivation.
Show up -> do the work -> get motivated -> repeat ad nauseum
Don’t believe me?
Are you someone who writes something on your to-do list after you’ve already done it because it feels good?
8 – “What Should I Eat Before & After I Workout?”
Before workouts:
- Smaller meals
- Easy to digest meals
- Snack-like options like a protein shake or a banana and peanut butter
After workouts:
- Proteins and carbohydrates
Most people grab protein but skip carbs after they workout. Carbs create an insulin response to assist in protein synthesis. In other words, eating carbs with your protein will help you build muscle and recover from exercise.
Don’t skip these.
9 – “How Long Will It Take to See Results?”
A rough guideline that I’ve used for years:
- Month 1: you’ll feel better
- Month 2: you’ll start seeing changes (if not before this)
- Month 3: other people will see these changes
This is not concrete. There is overlap everywhere.
Results take time. Stick with it.
10 – “What’s The Best Way to Recover After Workouts?”
Your big three:
- Sleep
- Eat
- Hydrate
Sometimes recovery can look like doing absolutely, positively, not a damn thing.
Other times recovery looks like taking a walk, maybe some light mobility work, or a little bit of light activity.
Recovery isn’t lazy. It’s strategic.
There You Go
These questions are normal and if you’re asking them, you’re on the right track.
They real key in all of this is to stop overthinking and simply start doing.
And if you want help answering these questions specific to your life, schedule, or goals – that’s where coaching comes in.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You simply need to take the next step.
To schedule your next step with us, click HERE.