You are finally ready to exercise, lose belly fat, tone your butt, and get in shape. The fitness magazines you read promise you the results you want. There are pictures and descriptions to follow a pre-designed routine. This seems easy enough, right? What can go wrong? Read the story, follow the images, and do what the model in the magazine shows you. But that’s not how it works. Check out the quick guide to gain confidence in fitness below.

The other day, I met a new client; her husband bought her several private sessions as a holiday gift. He told me she wanted to get in shape and strengthen her core. He mentioned that she had never taken a fitness class or hired a qualified trainer to teach her how to exercise correctly.

Here is what happened during our first encounter

After the initial assessment, I asked her what exercise routine she already had. She showed me several exercises she found in a doctor’s office magazine. Then, she showed me her exercises and said, “Here is what I do, but I know I am doing it wrong.”

She was not confident in her abilities or knowledge of the exercises, and she couldn’t enjoy the benefits of them either.

Don’t believe everything you see in magazines!

The pictures in the magazine article showed her young and fit woman demonstrating exercises. How do you know if the activity is suitable for you? Everybody is different and needs a specific approach to see results.

There is so much confusion about what to do to get in shape. Is it better to do HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), and what does that even mean? Should you go the Yoga or Pilates route if you want to tone? What about strengthening the hamstrings? “The what??” you say. “I have no idea where they are or what they do!”

The fitness world has its language, and unless you work in the fitness business, hire a qualified trainer, or have a degree in kinesiology, you may be at a loss on what to do and how.

Why Is Confidence In Fitness Important?

Feeling confident with exercises as we age is important for several reasons:

Physical Health: Regular exercise is vital to maintaining overall health. It helps control weight, reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, improves bone health, and can boost the immune system. In addition, being confident in doing exercises means you’re more likely to engage in them consistently, which leads to these health benefits.
Mental Health: Exercise has been proven to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can also enhance cognitive function and may slow down aging-related cognitive decline.
Mobility and Independence: Exercise helps improve strength, flexibility, and balance, which are crucial for mobility and independence as we age. People who exercise regularly are more likely to be able to continue performing daily activities without assistance.
Social Interaction: Joining exercise groups or classes can provide opportunities for social interaction, which is essential for mental well-being.
Confidence and Self-Esteem: Exercise can also increase self-confidence and self-esteem. Seeing progress in your physical capabilities can boost your belief in your abilities in other areas of life.
Safety: Confidence in doing exercises correctly is important to prevent injuries. As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to injuries, so knowing how to perform exercises safely and effectively is key.

So, it’s not just about wanting to feel confident with exercises over 50, but the need for both physical and mental health, social well-being, and overall quality of life.

My Quick Guide To Gain Confidence in Fitness

1. Do what you love

Ask yourself, what is the exercise you enjoy doing most? Often I hear, “I just walk.” Well, guess what? That is exercise, and there is nothing wrong with it! You love it and will keep doing it because it makes you happy. I love being outdoors. Spending time outside running, biking, and hiking makes me happy, and I reap the benefits of staying in shape.

2. Invest in yourself

Want to try something you have never done before? Lifting weights can seem intimidating, and what the heck do you do with those stretchy bands? Hire a qualified trainer to teach you the basics to get started. I was teaching my new client the basic principles, nothing overwhelming. I created a workout for her that she can follow until we train together again. Guess what? She was doing many of her exercises correctly already.

3. Buddy up

Do you feel too shy to go somewhere new by yourself? Bring a friend or significant other to try out a class or a private session. My clients who exercise as a duet (2 people for a session) have fun and spend time with the people they love.