Our new VIP partner TRIB3 tells you how, and why, to get moving.
If you’re staying at Vita Student this year, you’re in for a treat. Because this year, we’re pairing with TRIB3 for an exclusive fitness event, and discounts for our residents.
TRIB3’s coaches are experts at taking your fitness to the next level – so we’re excited to have them on the blog to give you a pep talk.
They’re going to talk about all things exercise; why it’s important, how to do it, how to love it…
Why workout?
There’s nothing more important than health. And the best way to get healthy? Regular exercise.
There are obvious physical health benefits to it – but to start, it reduces the risk of chronic disease. Implementing movement on a regular basis can improve cardiovascular health and lung health, as well as decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Believe it or not, exercise can also improve your skin by increasing the body’s production of natural antioxidants. So why spend £50+ on skincare products when working out is free?
And of course, exercise can help you to manage your weight and strengthen your body.
Even if you experience muscle soreness the day after, regular exercise can actually make physical movement and activities a lot easier – improving your day-to-day life or your performance in your favourite sport.
Have you ever felt so fatigued, that all you want to do is sit on the sofa and binge a Netflix series? Well, chances are, this will just worsen your tiredness. Going for a walk and forcing yourself to get moving will increase your energy levels. Even if it’s hard to motivate yourself at the beginning, it’s always worth doing.
This goes hand-in-hand with your sleep patterns. If you struggle to sleep at night, then exercise can help you to relax, expend some pent-up energy, and give you a good nights’ sleep. We all know that with this comes better moods, more focus and more productivity. Exactly what you need to study!
It isn’t just your physical health that’s improved by exercise, however. It’s a great tool for managing your mental health too. And this looks different to everyone. You might like to move intuitively on a yoga mat, but someone else might prefer to work out their stresses on a punchbag in the gym. It actually doesn’t matter what form of exercise you choose – as long as you move your body on a regular basis, you will start to feel the benefits.
If all those physical and mental health benefits weren’t enough, then use the social element of working out to be your motivation. Joining a club or sport is a great way to meet new, like-minded people. Exercise shouldn’t be punishment, it can be fun, enjoyable and social.
Where to start
Exercise is something that so many people have questions about. Having anxiety about using the gym, and not knowing what to do, is sadly very common.
So we’re here to help you get started.
How much should you work out?
The CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) advises aiming for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week. However, you can make this suit you and your lifestyle. For example, a daily walk and a weekly TRIB3 workout!
The most important thing is to remember you want to build a healthy relationship with exercise and have it become an enjoyable part of your routine rather than a chore.
What exercise is best to do?
The best exercise is the type that you enjoy. Whether you love to swim in cold water or sweat out in a spin class, you want to find an exercise you love, and keep at it.
Regardless of what you choose, a consistent workout routine will have both physical and mental health benefits. Once you’ve figured out what works for you, you can adapt your training to focus on specific areas of improvement. But when you’re just starting out, the best thing to do is experiment and find something that you will stick to.
Where can I learn how to work out?
Depending on the sport or exercise that you’re doing, there will be different ways of learning. If you’re planning on going to the gym, find your local trainer and ask them to give you an introduction or to set up a program for you. That will help you to get started and find your feet.
Going to classes is a great way to learn and meet people in the process, helping you to create a community that will push you to keep going. At TRIB3, we’re all about bringing people together to socialise in a healthy and motivating way. Find out more about our fitness studios.
If you’re a resident at Vita Student, you can even sign up for our weekly fitness classes for free.
If you want to get started with yoga, look online for a local class, or even head to YouTube to get some great guided tutorials.
How do I overcome gym anxiety?
Many people experience “gym anxiety” when they first start their fitness journey. If you aren’t completely confident in the gym and aren’t sure what you’re doing, then you may feel that people are watching and judging you.
However, it’s important to note that this really is not the case. Regular gym-goers are usually so concentrated on their own workout, that they aren’t even paying attention to what you’re doing. You may even be surprised by the number of people feeling similar emotions to you in that room.
A good way to try and overcome it is to build more confidence in that space – consider asking your gym’s PT to show you around and get you acquainted with the equipment. Or start attending fitness classes and get to learn some circuits that you can do on your own.
You can even download apps on your phone that give you a structured home workout to follow.
It may be easier said than done, but try to focus on yourself over anyone else when you’re at the gym. Blast the music through your headphones and remember why you’re in there. The more you go, the more confident you will become – so keep that in mind during your session.
When will I learn to love exercise?
This is really different for everyone. If you have been doing a sport or workout for a while, and you still aren’t enjoying it, chances are that it isn’t for you.
Some sports, like running, might take a while to fully enjoy, so it’s important to be persistent. But if you feel like you’re never going to enjoy it, perhaps it’s time to try something new.
There are plenty of sports to go at – so experiment and see what works for you!
