Although I live in Montréal, where it is cold for most of the year, I have not yet mastered the art of active outdoor pursuits. I’ll go skiing and skating sometime this winter, but they aren’t precisely the activities I work into my weekly schedule. We all know that physical activity is super important for our mental and physical health (WHO); and you know what? It feels really great. If you, like me, need an easy indoor activity, I highly recommend trying out the gym. 

I think there’s a certain perception about the kind of person you have to be to go to the gym: the kind of person who chugs protein powder, lifts super heavy weights, and hardly takes a day off. I mean, these people are great, and you’ll probably see them at the gym, but I am a big believer in being a casual gym goer. You’ll see me at the gym 2-3 times a week, where I spend 30 minutes to an hour doing some cardio, lifting comfortable weights, and stretching. It’s not intense, but it’s fun and feels really good. I really enjoy my time at the gym and think more people should give it a shot.

I get it. Going to the gym can be intimidating for the first time. So I want to offer some tips to beginners:

1-Try going to the gym during off hours. ​​
I find the gym busiest in the afternoons, especially after work hours. If it’s your first time, going in the morning, evening, or even a weekend can be more comfortable because there are a lot fewer people and so, there’s probably more equipment available for you to try out.

“When I start my day-off with a gym workout, I feel so much better in my body - I feel less stressed, less tight, and stronger.”

2- Start with something you’re comfortable with.
Knowing what you’re going to do when you arrive can help you feel confident when you walk in. Maybe you got into yoga over the pandemic as I did. Grab a mat, throw on a youtube video and warm up with something you already know and like. Or maybe you’re also a casual runner. Head over to the treadmills and do a 10-minute warm-up jog - a lot of them will also have pre-programmed runs for you to try out.

3- Follow a plan.
If you haven’t tried lifting weights before, you may not know what to do. There are some great beginner-friendly workouts on youtube and TikTok that will show you a couple of exercises you can try for your first visit - often just with dumbbells! Livestrong has a great one for beginners here. Don’t worry about the weight or how you look (no one else will care), just try to get a feel for the motions.

4- Get a buddy!
This is probably pretty obvious, but going with a friend can make the whole experience a whole lot less intimidating. If they go often, you might be able to ask them questions and have them show you how to use equipment (if not, workout videos are great, and I still use them when trying something new). They might also give you the freedom to lean into looking a little silly while you work out together.

A lot of these tips are conventional wisdom. That’s because there are a lot of people online and in your community that want to encourage more people to try out the gym (I am just one of many). We all remember what it was like our first time and want others to jump over the hurdle so they can enjoy all the benefits we do.

When I start my day-off with a gym workout, I feel so much better in my body - I feel less stressed, less tight, and stronger. I start my morning-off with relaxing alone time, where I can put my headphones in and enjoy an hour to myself. It’s the best kind of self-care - where I take care of both my body and my mind. By the time I leave, I’m filled with endorphins and uncharacteristic optimism on a cold winter morning.

So whether you use my tips or not, I hope you try out the gym this winter. If you’re in Montréal, maybe I’ll see you there!

Main Photo Credit: John Arano on Unsplash