So you’re ready to start exercising…..now what?!
First — I want to say I’m really proud of you!
Deciding to start exercising (especially if you haven’t in years… or maybe ever) is a really big deal.
Maybe you’re tired of feeling stiff, weak, or out of breath doing everyday things.
Maybe your doctor suggested you start moving more.
Maybe your clothes don’t fit the way they used to.
Or maybe you simply want to feel stronger, healthier and more confident in your own body again.
Whatever brings you here — you’re ready to take that first step.
But then the next thought usually hits… “Okay… now what?”
Because the moment you decide to start exercising, you do a quick Google search and suddenly you’re hit with confusing and mixed messaging:
- Workout 6 days a week!
- Do Pilates and Yoga!
- Lift weights!
- Only walk!
- Cut carbs!
- Take this supplement!
And before you know it, you’re sitting there thinking: “How am I supposed to know what’s actually right for me?”
Especially if you’re wondering about things like:
“What kind of exercise actually works?”
“What’s safe for my age?”
“What if I have injuries or aches and pains?”
“Where do I even start?”
“Who can I trust to guide me?”
Starting something new can feel confusing, intimidating, and honestly… a little scary!
And this is exactly where so many people get stuck.
They want to start.
They know they should start.
But they don’t know what to do, where to go, or who to trust.
If you’re new to Results Fitness — or new to exercise in general — this blog is for you.
And if you’ve tried exercising before but struggled to stay consistent or didn’t see the results you hoped for, keep reading — you may have unknowingly run into some of the most common mistakes people make when starting out.
In this blog you’re learning:
- The 3 biggest mistakes new exercisers make (so you don’t)
- How to choose the right gym for your life
- 4 simple ways to start without burning out
My goal is to help take the confusion out of exercise so you can focus on what actually matters: feeling stronger, healthier and more confident in your body — for life!
3 FITNESS MISTAKES TO AVOID
One thing I want you to know right away — if starting exercise feels intimidating, confusing, or even a little scary, you are not alone!
Most people who walk into Results Fitness for the first time tell us the same things:
“I haven’t exercised in years.”
“My knees or back bother me.”
“I feel totally out of shape.”
“I have no idea what I’m doing.”
That’s exactly why Results Fitness exists — to guide you through those first steps safely, confidently and without intimidation!
Once you’ve made the decision to start exercising, the next step is finding a gym that gives you the support you need to succeed.
And honestly… that part can feel harder than the decision to start.
There are so many options out there, and it can be tough to know what actually matters.
When choosing a gym, consider the following:
- Budget: How much are you willing to invest to feel your best and improve your health? Also consider the cost of not investing in your health.
- Type of Exercise: What kind of workouts are actually right for your fitness level, goals, injuries or aches you may have?
- Coaching: Do you need someone to show you what to do and make sure you’re doing it correctly?
- Accountability: Will you stay consistent on your own, or do you need people expecting you to show up?
- Schedule: Where can you realistically fit exercise into your life?
- Mindset: Are you ready to make exercise a real priority?
These are all important questions. But before you go any further, I want to let you in on a little secret:
Not all gyms, exercise programs, and coaches are created equal.
In fact, when people walk into Results Fitness for the first time, many of them come to us after trying another gym that left them feeling frustrated, confused, discouraged, or even injured.
They had good intentions.
They wanted to start exercising and take better care of themselves.
But somewhere along the way, something didn’t work.
So, what happened?
Most of the time, it comes down to one (or more) of the three biggest mistakes people make when starting exercise:
Mistake #1: Going At It Alone: One of the most common things people do when starting out is join a cheap, big-box gym.
You know the kind — $10 a month and rows and rows of machines and equipment.
On the surface, it sounds like a great deal but the problem is, you’re completely on your own.
There’s no coaching. No guidance. Zero accountability.
If you already know what you’re doing, that might work.
But if you’re new to exercise, it usually leads to one of three things:
- You wander around unsure of what to do.
- You do exercises incorrectly and risk getting hurt.
- You get bored and stop going altogether.
Starting exercise is hard enough to do so, you shouldn’t have to figure everything out by yourself.
Mistake #2: Doing the Wrong Exercises: Not all workouts deliver the same results.
The type of exercise you do should match your goals, experience level and physical limitations. For example, if your goals are to:
- Get stronger
- Reduce body fat
- Move better
- Feel more toned
- Reduce aches and pains
Then you Need to be strength training (cardio, yoga and Pilates won’t get you there).
Another mistake I see all the time is workout classes that simply string together random exercises to make you feel tired and sweaty. Just because a workout leaves you exhausted doesn’t mean it’s safe, structured or effective (regardless of how many calories your fitness tracker shows you burned).
Without proper program design and coaching, people often end up doing exercises too fast, with poor form, or with weights they aren’t ready for.
That’s a recipe for frustration — or worse, injury.
Mistake #3. Bad Vibes: Starting exercise can already feel intimidating. If you walk into a gym and immediately feel out of place, judged, ignored, or uncomfortable, that’s a big red flag!
The environment matters more than you realize. When you’re starting something new, you need to feel welcomed, supported and encouraged. If a gym makes you feel like you don’t belong there, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to stay consistent.
And consistency is the key to getting results.
That’s why finding a gym where you feel comfortable — and where people genuinely care about helping you succeed — makes all the difference!
3 TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT GYM FOR YOU!
Now that you know what to avoid, let me share the three things I believe matter most when choosing a gym, especially if you’re new to exercise or starting over.
Tip #1: Real Coaching – Access to great coaches is an absolute game changer!
When you’re new to exercise, the biggest challenge isn’t motivation — it’s not knowing what to do, how to do it, or if you’re even doing it correctly.
A good coach removes all that guesswork. Coaches guide you through each workout, make sure your form is safe and effective, and adjust exercises based on your fitness level, goals, and any injuries you may have.
For more than 20 years, Results Fitness has specialized in helping adults of all fitness levels — especially those who are new to exercise or returning after time away.
Our coaches are nationally certified and experienced in working with people dealing with injuries, chronic pain or simply feeling out of shape.
Every workout includes 1-on-1 personalized coaching and is scalable, meaning exercises can be adjusted based on your fitness level, injuries, or mobility limitations.
That means your workouts are always safe, personalized and designed to help you progress at your own pace!
Plus, we believe workouts should be FUN! Our coaches bring energy, encouragement and a lot of personality to every session. We work hard, but we also make sure you’re enjoying the process along the way.
Tip #2. Programs that Deliver RESULTS – Not all exercise programs are created equal.
At Results Fitness, strength training is the foundation of what we do because it delivers the most effective, long-lasting results — especially for adults who want to feel better, move better and stay strong as they age.
When done correctly, strength training helps you:
- Build muscle and increase strength
• Reduce body fat and reshape your body
• Improve mobility, flexibility and balance
• Reduce chronic aches and pains
• Lower your risk of many chronic diseases
• Boost energy, confidence and mental health
In fact, research consistently shows that strength training is one of the most powerful tools for healthy aging, helping you preserve muscle, bone density, metabolism, and independence as you get older.
The truth is you need strength for almost everything you do each day:
- Walking the dog.
- Getting up from a chair or off the floor.
- Climbing stairs without getting winded.
- Pushing a grocery cart.
- Carrying laundry baskets or groceries.
- Lifting kids or grandkids.
- Gardening, mowing the lawn or working around the house.
- Traveling and pushing a suitcase through the airport.
- Hiking, biking, swimming, or simply staying active on vacation.
At Results Fitness, our workouts are designed with helping you build the strength and confidence to fully enjoy your life outside the gym!
To get the best results, I recommend 3 strength training sessions per week paired with some cardio for heart health and variety. Together, strength training and cardio create a powerful combination that helps you feel stronger, healthier and more capable in everything you do!
Tip # 3. Good Vibes Only – How do you feel when you walk inside the gym?
The right gym culture makes all the difference so if you’ve ever felt out of place or worried you won’t fit in, finding a supportive gym home is key.
Results Fitness is not your typical gym — we’re a community — so you always feel comfortable, confident and welcome. Our coaches genuinely care about you, and the RF community is always there to keep you motivated, inspired and having fun!!
Many of our members started exactly where you are right now — unsure, nervous and wondering if they could really do this.
That shared experience is what creates such a supportive and welcoming environment.
Oh, and that part about work hard, play harder?
We love celebrating your milestones — personal records when exercising, birthdays, new jobs, promotions, weddings, engagements, babies.
And, you can always lean on your RF family for support when life hands you lemons and the unexpected happens.
4 STRATEGIES TO START
Now it’s time for the fun part — actually getting started!
Beginning an exercise routine can feel exciting, but it can also feel intimidating. The key is to make the process simple, manageable and sustainable so you can build a routine that helps you feel healthy, happy and strong for life.
Here are four strategies that will make getting started much easier.
#1. Find a Quality Gym: Remember, not all gyms, coaches or exercise programs are created equal. When you’re starting out, the right environment makes all the difference. Look for a gym that provides:
- Knowledgeable, supportive coaches
• Safe, structured exercise programs
• A welcoming and encouraging community
When you have expert guidance, a clear plan, and people cheering you on, exercise stops feeling intimidating and starts feeling empowering.
And that’s exactly what we strive to create every day here at Results Fitness. Because when you have the right support system around you, building a healthy, strong lifestyle becomes a whole lot easier — and a lot more enjoyable, too.
#2. Become Part of a Community: Accountability is one of the most powerful tools for staying consistent with exercise.
When people know you’re showing up — and that others are counting on you — it becomes much easier for you to stay committed.
Many people assume they need to bring a friend to the gym to stay motivated. But what we see all the time at Results Fitness is the opposite. People often walk through our doors on their own, unsure of what to expect and just hoping to get started.
What they unexpectedly discover is that they’re not alone for long.
At Results Fitness, you’re not just joining a gym with space and equipment — you’re stepping into a community.
Our RF Warriors and coaches create an incredibly welcoming and supportive environment where people encourage each other, celebrate wins and hold each other accountable.
Before long, familiar faces become workout partners… workout partners become friends… and those friendships often extend well beyond the gym!
What starts as simply “coming in for a workout” often turns into something much bigger — a community of people who support each other, keep each other accountable, and genuinely enjoy showing up together.
That built-in support is one of the biggest reasons our members stay consistent, keep progressing and ultimately see the best results.
And for many of our members, that sense of support and accountability is exactly what turns exercise from something they have to do into something they actually look forward to.
#3. Make Exercise Fit Your Life: Let’s be honest — life is busy.
Between work, family, kids, and everything else on your plate, it can feel hard to find time for exercise. That’s why it’s important to schedule your workouts just like any other important appointment.
At Results Fitness, you plan and schedule workouts up to a month ahead so that exercise becomes a planned part of your routine rather than something you try to squeeze in.
When you treat your workouts as a priority instead of an afterthought, consistency becomes much easier. And trust me… you’ll never regret taking time to feel your best.
#4. Create Clear Goals: This one sound simple, but it’s often overlooked.
Having a clear goal gives your workouts purpose and direction. Take a few minutes to write down what you want your future to look like. Maybe you want to:
- Feel stronger and more confident
• Lose weight or reduce body fat
• Move without aches and pains
• Keep up with your kids or grandkids
• Improve your health as you age
Once you’ve written your goal down, put it somewhere you’ll see it often. Then share it with people around you — friends, family, coworkers, or your coaches — so they can help support you along the way.
A clear goal is a powerful reminder of why you started and helps keep you focused and on track when motivation tapers.
Ready to Get Started?
Starting exercise doesn’t have to be confusing, intimidating or overwhelming.
When you have the right coaches, the right program, and the right community behind you, getting stronger becomes something you actually look forward to.
That’s exactly what we’ve built at Results Fitness for you.
If you’re new to exercising, starting over, or simply looking for a gym that truly supports you, we’d love to help. Our coaches will guide you every step of the way so you can:
✔ Feel stronger
✔ Move better
✔ Build confidence in your body
✔ And live an active, healthy life for years to come
If you’re ready to take that first step, come see what makes Results Fitness different. Book a FREE coaching call HERE with our team so that you can decide if this is the gym home for YOU! (can’t wait to meet you)