\u201cStart by looking at your actual life,\u201d says Meredith. \u201cYour schedule, your environment, your hurdles. Time, budget, injury, kids, confidence, motivation. Be honest about the kind of support you actually need \u2014 physically and mentally. That clarity shapes the best starting point for you.”<\/p>\n
Wood notes it\u2019s crucial to look at what you want your future to look like when figuring out where to start. <\/p>\n
\u201cMost people want to build or maintain good health and wellbeing habits to enable them to enjoy what they like to do. The majority of people\u2019s goals are often quite straightforward, but people tend to struggle with what good exercise, physical activity, and other lifestyle habits look like and\/or how to progress them over time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wood adds that people struggle most when it comes to sticking to generic physical activity guidelines long-term.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many reasons for this, including a lack of appropriate behavioural strategies and a lack of individualisation to suit each individual\u2019s needs,\u201d the clinical exercise physiologist says. <\/p>\n
What you\u2019ll actually need<\/p>\n
A training plan <\/b><\/p>\n
Before you consider spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on equipment, Wood says you are better off investing in professional individualised exercise advice and some initial demonstration. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is to develop a sound applied skill-set that is supported by tailored behavioural strategies, including support from friends and family.\u201d <\/p>\n
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n He adds that for generally healthy individuals, the plan should include basic fitness principles, but a professional can help you figure out exactly where you are and want to be.<\/p>\n \u201cIt should meet you where you\u2019re at, account for your environment, and progress you forward with purpose. Mobility, flow, technique cues \u2014 it all matters.”<\/p>\n Meredith agrees, noting that without a plan, \u201cit\u2019s a fast track to overwhelm, underwhelm, or both\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cLife isn\u2019t designed to be plain sailing. Most people don\u2019t quit because they\u2019re lazy. They quit because they never had structure \u2014 or the tools to fail forward,\u201d she notes. <\/p>\n Fitness tracker <\/b><\/p>\n For those looking for cardio-based fitness routines, Wood says most people don\u2019t need any special equipment, but a GPS heart watch or similar can make it more fun and hold you accountable. <\/p>\n \u201cSome people are highly motivated by tracking<\/a> physical metrics and enjoy sharing activities with others via social exercise apps such as Strava,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cAs with anything, the investment in equipment for cardio activities often comes down to behavioural factors. It\u2019s helpful (but not always necessary) if you enjoy what you are doing, turn it into a habit, and are motivated enough to sustain the activity over the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n Weights <\/b><\/p>\n When it comes to physical equipment, Meredith says she always likes to start with dumbbells. <\/p>\n \u201cAdjustable weights are a smart long-term investment for both progression and your wallet. But some of the cheaper dial-up sets can be clunky, chunky, and restrict movement \u2014 or worse, feel unsafe.\u201c<\/p>\n Meredith says that both The Warehouse and Kmart have \u201csolid, affordable and adjustable sets\u201d.<\/p>\n She also notes that if you feel a little unsure when it comes to grip, some gloves can help with sweaty hands and improving grip so form and safety don\u2019t suffer.<\/p>\nA training plan can help keep you accountable when starting your fitness journey. Photo \/ 123rf<\/p>\n