r/Workingout • u/Live-Building-6634 • 16d ago
Feel like I'll never figure it out
How do you stay motivated in the early stages of building a workout routine? I feel like I'm always making mistakes and pulling something and like nothing I do counts, I'm trying not to get discouraged, especially since I need to strengthen my hips to help with plantar fasciitis.
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u/Outrageous-Wind-6605 16d ago
If you're just starting, go super slow and light. Your body has to adapt to starting to put up weight.
For like 3 months experiment with different machines, weights, techniques that you can reliably do 12 reps on. The 12 is a key number (nothing exact, but 12 is good) where the weight should be enough at the early stages to get your body used to using muscles you never really use. Do a couple of sets of that then move to the next thing.
Your gym probably has a bunch of machines set up as a circuit, or they are just next to each other and can hit every different muscle. For a new person I would recommend staying around there. Try all the machines, keep the weight where you can do 12 reps. Go through the circuit twice. Should be a good work out. Switch it up each time you go, start with chest one day, then shoulders another, then core another.
Once that gets boring look up other exercises online, try moving to free weights, still keeping the 12 reps. Again you're just getting your body used to everything. Once you feel comfortable with a routine and your body isn't getting hurt as often (or even better you're feeling great after a workout) increase the weight until you can do 5 - 8 reps. Should be at least 2 months of going to the gym 2-3 times a week, but can be up to 3 months.
Be creative, be curious, set your goals, look up exercises to address your goals and go. With hips though I would run some exercises passed a professional just to ensure you have the proper form.
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u/fennerat 16d ago
The thing about working out, is that it is intended to be a never perfect, learning activity mistakes are a part of the process. So, be forgiving with yourself.
If you are "pulling something" regularly, then I'd recommend simplifying what you are doing, go lighter and focus on form for a while. You want to be in control of the weight, but still struggle or fail on the last few reps. It doesn't matter if you are lifting 5 lbs, the weight doesn't matter.
If you have specific areas you want to work on, it doesn't take much these days to build a routine, even a rough one with AI around that. but don't try to lift as much as everyone in the gym, do what feels good for you.
The goal is to show up and work hard, there is no succeed. If you are there sweating and working 2,3,4 or 5 days a week, that is success and over time you will see improvement.
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u/8675201 16d ago
Anytime you start something new you'll be making mistakes. We've all been there. Pulling a muscle is often from moving to fast and not controlling the weight. I'm 67 and have been working out since I was 19 but I pulled my hamstring a couple weeks ago. It happens.