From a newbie lifter to a newbie lifter
Firsts are scary.
The first day at a new job, the first get-together with new friends, the first time driving a car. It’s normal to feel unnerved, overwhelmed, intimidated or even fearful when you’re trying something new.
Lifting weights or going to the gym for the first time is no exception.
As someone who has been lifting weights & cycled through multiple gyms over the last almost 2 decades, it can be easy for me to tell you, “Don’t worry about it!” or “Everyone gets nervous” or “Showing up is the hardest part” to try to make you feel more comfortable… but would that really help?
No. Probably not!
What might be more valuable to you is to hear some bits of advice straight from another newbie, right?
Great! Because that’s exactly what I’m sharing with you today. Notes from a newbie weightlifter to a newbie weightlifter.
Over the course of 9 weeks this “newbie” attended weight lifting classes with me 2-3x/week. She walked into her first class having never lifted a weight before & exclusively using 5# dumbbells or opting for bodyweight exercises.
She walked out of her last class having hit a deadlift multi-rep max of 70#, consistently reaching for the 10-20# dumbbells & learning all sorts of new exercises.
So here’s what she has to say,
from one first-time weightlifter to another:
Get out of your head that there is a certain body type you need to have OR that you have to be skinny to start lifting weights.
Starting something new is vulnerable! It’s okay to say out loud, “I have never done this before.”
A good trainer/coach is there to support you & will never shame you. They’re there to push you & challenge you. If they encourage you to do something (try a heavier weight, go for a few more reps), know that they already believe you can fulfill that task. They won’t set expectations that you cannot achieve.
A good trainer/coach won’t compare you to others or ask/expect you to do what others are doing.
If something doesn’t feel right, say it out loud! A good trainer/coach is there to help you which might mean tweaking your form or reassuring you that new things sometimes feel wonky.
Just go! Find ways to get into a routine, even if that means rewarding yourself afterwards with a trip to your favorite fast food or local ice cream spot.
You’ll have to force yourself to go sometimes but after it’s done you’ll always be glad you went.
A good trainer/coach creates an environment where groaning, spitting, heavy breathing & sweating is OKAY. A good trainer/coach fosters a judgment-free environment.
Having a trainer/coach there to help you keep track of weights, reps and sets while giving praise & feedback helps to keep you motivated.
It never loses its luster as a trainer to see someone new thrive in the gym & excel when they give themselves a chance to do so. There is no denying the progress this woman has already made & will continue to make moving forward.
Anyone can do what she did.
But not everyone takes the step into the gym, signs up for that class or hires a coach to transform that potential into real-life change.
She made the choice to step out of her comfort zone & give something new a chance, to see if this was a “missing piece” of sorts. That decision has undoubtedly paid off.
Maybe after reading her notes you’ll decide to tap into that same courage you have inside of you.
Anyone can…
And anyone includes you.
HEY, I’M KIRSI!
Certified Personal Trainer & fitness coach
I help women build strength, lift with purpose &
improve their quality of life through simple programming
& comprehensive, compassion-led coaching.
Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out your application here.
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