Gym Beginner FAQ: Are You Old Enough, Are You Training Properly, and How Often Should You Go?

how old do you have to be to go to the gymGoing to the gym sounds easy. Grab a tracksuit, put on some sneakers, maybe a small towel, and you’re good to go. True to an extent, but wrong on so many levels. Frequenting a Downtown gym in San Diego is a bit more demanding. At least if you want to do it right.

That is why each gym newbie who wants to train properly has many questions. And it should be so. Knowing how to find the best gym and how often you should train is only the beginning.

From learning how to use gym machines correctly, packing your backpack for the training session, and learning when to start training, to burning the right amount of calories, training adequately for your desired results, and choosing the right gym, the questions just keep on coming. So, let’s see what’s what when you’re new to it.

How old do you have to be to go to the gym?

This is usually the question the youngest of gym enthusiasts ask before they begin going to the gym on a regular basis. It might sound silly to some, and it might seem like a question easily answered “You’re never too young to start training”, but to us, it is a question of paramount importance.

And it is important to not only state the minimum appropriate age to start training, but also to say whether or not a person can be too old to visit a gym. So, can you really be too young, or too old?

Can I be too young to train?

Yes, you most certainly can. All those who say otherwise are wrong. And that’s a quick fact! Can you just imagine a toddler lifting weights, or a baby doing yoga? I mean, come on people, get your heads straight!

Seriously now, although there isn’t a defined age when it is safe to begin training, nor is there a proscribed age until which it would be inadvisable to train. There are, however, some aspects you should carefully consider when thinking about starting the gym experience.

Depending on the workout regime you want to implement, the age to go to the gym varies. If you do want to lift weights, you should at least wait until your body has finished fully developing. At least that’s what California Department of Public Health advises. 

As for other, less demanding types of training, it is ok to be a bit younger when you start. Stretching, cardio, yoga, and other types of training without intent to build a larger muscle mass are perfectly fine even at a younger age. If you’re under the legal age, just make sure that you are escorted to the gym by your parents. 

Can I be too old to train?

You most certainly cannot! As long as you’re sufficiently physically fit, you can never be too old to take care of your body. What’s more, it’s usually advisable! The older you get, the more care you have to take of your body. And what better way to do so than by going to a gym and exercising?

However, you do have to be mindful of certain chronic conditions some older individuals do develop over time. If you’re suffering from a medical condition, it is always best to ask for advice from your doctor. If you get a green light, off you go!

How many calories should I burn at the gym?how many calories should i burn at the gym

Again, there isn’t a right or a wrong answer to this one. Depending on what you want to do, why you want to do it, and how you want to do it, the answer varies significantly. To say “You should burn 500 calories every time you go to the gym!” would be rather foolish on our part.

There are, however, certain guidelines to follow when it comes to knowing just how many calories you can burn depending on how you plan on training. For example, it is rather a different story for a person trying to lose weight and for a person wanting to build muscle mass. And that is exactly how we’re going to tackle this question.

How many calories should I burn if I’m trying to lose weight?

When it comes to losing weight, it all comes down to burning more calories at the gym than your daily intake. So, let’s say your daily intake is about 1500 calories a day. If you want to lose some weight, it is normal to strive to burn more calories with every gym visit than you take in. But, this might be the wrong way of looking at the problem.

For example, it is always advisable to reduce your daily intake and exercise moderately, than to continue taking in the same amount of calories and pushing your body to its limits. So, if you’re aiming to lose some weight, modify your daily intake, keep training, and see whether the results are paying off. And always make sure you’re keeping a close eye on your health. If you start feeling woozy and frail, it is always best to ask for advice from a personal trainer or nutritionist.

How many calories should I burn if I want to build my muscle mass?

The answer to this one is a bit more complicated, and it really has nothing to do with burning the right amount of calories, but rather the rate at which different types of tissue burn calories. So, for example, muscles burn calories 5 times faster than fat does.

This means that, once you start exercising, you should not only look to burn the fat off, but also eat food that will properly feed the muscles you are trying to build. The only recipe for this one is to eat adequate food, most often packed with protein, and try to exercise regularly in order to reduce the amount of fat present in your body.

How should I work out at the gym?

Finally, the most important for many individuals concerns proper working-out techniques. However, we are not going to discuss said techniques per se, such as “fifteen repetitions per session with five-minute breaks in between” but rather see how to develop a good routine and whether you should ask for professional assistance.

How do I develop a good workout routine?

So, let’s begin with the basics. In order to maximize your training efforts, your beginning routine should always be the same. So, you come to the gym, put on some good music on your earphones, get motivated, and get in the proper mindset for the training session.

As for the exercises to start with, you should always perform basic stretches prior to each training session at a gym. This significantly reduces the risk of potential injuries, and prepares your body for a good sweat that is to come. But, what about the actual exercises, machines, and so on? This brings us to our next question.

How should I workout at the gymShould I always consult professionals when working out?

The answer is yes, and we are going to be rather brief and blunt about it. Especially when you’re a beginner. It would be best to first try and find a good personal trainer for some one-on-one time who would be able to devise an adequate training routine to fit your needs, which you would then be able to follow to the letter.

If you think that watching videos of people explaining how to train are enough, you are probably mistaken. Beginners do really need professional guidance, and you should always ask for it. Once you become more adept to the entire process of working out at a gym, you can start doing it on your own. But, when you’re just starting out, always ask, listen, and repeat.

What is the best gym in Downtown San Diego for me to go to?

This is a question with only one correct answer, and that answer is Fit Athletic. If you are 18 or older, join our gym in Downtown San Diego, and you will be amazed with results. Fit Athletic is a gym that employs the finest fitness and yoga experts, as well as the best personal trainers not only in Downtown San Diego, but in the entire San Diego area.

If you want to go to the gym, there is no better place to go. The atmosphere is brilliant, the staff friendly, professional, and always willing to help, and the location perfect. So, next time you’re planning to go to the Gaslamp Quarter, stop by our gym on the way, and see about starting your path to greater physical health.

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