Whether you’re looking to run, ride a bike, lift weights or do yoga, just thinking about how to start working out can feel intimidating. The most important piece of advice to remember is that everybody starts at the beginning. Motivation, time and type are the three fundamentals of beginning a workout journey.

Being able to identify why you are working out will result in staying positive, motivated and consistent. Pinpointing the goal and what you wish to achieve from working out is key to succeeding. “Being able to separate yourself from what everybody else is doing really helped me when going to the gym. Once I focused on myself, I surpassed every goal I set. When I first started to go to the gym, I would always concentrate on what everyone was doing around me, but I learned we all have different bodies and strengths,” senior Robbie Neill said.

Scheduling workouts is principal. Coming up with a weekly schedule will keep you on track to staying consistent. Starting out slow and building your way up from twice to possibly five days a week can keep you from becoming too sore while having a couple of days to recover. It will also build up your stamina and strength in a healthy way. “I found it extremely helpful to start out with three days a week, then build myself up to six days a week. I was able to learn more about my strengths and weaknesses in the gym,” senior Keyan Roshan said.

Knowing what works for you is crucial to your success and growth. There are endless types of workouts out there, and the truth is that the best workout for you is the one you’ll want to partake in and enjoy. The number one way to find the best fit for you is through trial and error, even though it can be intimidating and exhausting. “I would not have known I love running more than any other type of exercise if I hadn’t tried out what else was out there. Now I wake up most mornings eager to run. I was not the best at first, but I kept going and now I couldn’t be happier that I stuck with it,” sophomore Gillian Berman said.

Remember it is OK and necessary to take days off and rest your body. It is easy to get into a vicious cycle of overworking yourself, which will only cause you to burnout. Pacing yourself and listening to your body is how you will be successful in your fitness journey.