No experience, no problem.
January is the time when a lot of people finally take up fitness, and that can be super intimidating.
We've all been there — even the veteran lifters who resemble Greek gods and the 9-foot-tall hunk killing it on the rowing machine had to start somewhere. "Everyone is always pretending they know what's up and trying to play it cool, but it's totally OK not to know something," fitness expert Jessi Kneeland, NASM-certified personal trainer, tells BuzzFeed Life.
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So we asked members of the BuzzFeed Community and fitness experts for tips on how beginners can master workouts, learn proper form, navigate the equipment, and feel confident while making gains.
Keep in mind that everyone's fitness needs and abilities will vary, and this is by no means a complete fitness guide for everyone. You should always check with a doctor before starting a new fitness routine. OK let's get into it.
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Find a beginner-friendly gym or one that fits your individual needs, whatever those may be.
Planet Fitness has a bit of a mixed reputation but Kneeland believes they're great for beginners: "Planet Fitness ... makes it easy to get started, and they keep the intimidation levels way down," Kneeland says. Or you might feel more comfortable in a gym geared towards women, a group-training gym, or something with a specific focus — like dance or boxing.
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Get familiar with the layout of the gym so you aren't wandering around confused and searching for equipment.
"Take time to learn where everything is in the gym so you're not constantly walking around looking confused."
—Jillian Clayton, Facebook
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