Starting a workout routine does not need to be expensive, complicated, overwhelming and it certainly does not have to be in public. Working out doesn’t have to include joining a gym, spending a ton of money on a membership, or signing up for pricey fitness classes. If you have never had a workout routine before, then your routine should absolutely start with the basics. This means no gym membership, no costs, and no equipment.
How to Start a Workout Routine and Not Spend a Single Penny
Start with the Basics
It is important to master the basics before you get too ahead of yourself. There are very effective complex exercises moves out there but basic exercises are very effective too and the foundation to those effective complex exercises. The reason why they are so effective is that they have a solid foundation. The basic come from movements that we do in everyday life. Squatting, lunging, pulling, pushing, pressing, and rotating are generally movements that mimic how our bodies move in everyday life. Performing basic movements not only sets the foundation, but they also challenge your balance, core strength and mobility.
Group Basic Movement to Form Circuits
Once you’ve found some basic moves you can perform well and that you like, you can now group them together to form circuits. Pick five to six different basic exercises that are different from one another and perform each basic exercise for 45 seconds, then resting for 15 seconds before moving on to the next basic exercise. As soon as you go through all of the exercises ones, try going through them a couple more rounds.
For example:
- Squats — 45 seconds
- Push-ups — 45 seconds
- Jumping jacks — 45 seconds
- Lunges — 45 seconds
- High Knees — 45 seconds
- Repeat two more times
Workout Two to Four Times a Week
Now that you have your circuit down, try performing this circuit a couple times a week. If you are feeling ready you can even create a new circuit for each day you work out that week. Make sure you pick a number of times a week that is achievable to you, remember we aren’t trying to make this complicated and certainly not trying to overwhelm you. Getting into a good workout routine that is doable takes time. After you have set your goal, hold yourself accountable for a couple of months. After a couple months you can reassess and see what you might need to work on, figure out what you can make harder and see if you are feeling comfortable enough now that you can add in an extra day or come up with another circuit to try.
Challenge Yourself More
Now that you have mastered your basic exercises there are endless amounts of ways that you can execute them together or even combine two of them to come up with a more complex exercise, etc. However, it may be good to just try and challenge yourself with the basic exercises by adding inclined or declined elevation to your exercise, or change your lever point, lower your center of gravity, etc. Maybe this is the time where you want to add some weights to your routine. Just remember that these items do not need to be expensive either. Water bottles, books, backpacks, pets can make for some great weight to hold onto while performing one of your basic exercises.
Free Info Online
There is so much free information online, just like this article. You can find tons of workout videos on YouTube, workout routines on reputable fitness online magazines, fitness influencers sharing tips, etc. Take advantage of it all! Because remember, you don’t necessarily have to step into a gym or spend a lot of money to start a workout routine.
