For those who’ve always avoided exercise: what follows might just change your mind! If you’ve given up on sport due to lack of time, motivation or desire, here are some valuable tips to help you (re)start your fitness journey!
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What questions should you ask yourself before starting sport?
Why take up a sport?
There are countless reasons to get into sport. When you ask seasoned athletes, a few motivations come up time and again — directly linked to the well-known benefits of exercise. Some of these might resonate with you:
- getting back into good physical shape – more flexibility and stamina, better breathing, improved sleep, less back pain;
- feeling better mentally – doing something for yourself, relieving stress, feeling more relaxed;
- losing weight, toning your body or reshaping your figure;
- quitting smoking;
- pushing your limits – the pride of achieving both physical and mental milestones;
- making new friends – because sport is often a great way to meet people and build lasting friendships.
Choosing the right sport
To get into sport, you first need to choose the right activity. It’s essential that your sessions feel like a pleasure, not a chore. Ask yourself:
- whether you prefer exercising indoors or outdoors;
- if indoors, whether you’d rather work out at home or at a gym;
- whether you prefer high-intensity, moderate or gentle activities;
- whether the activity suits your age and/or your fitness level;
- whether you’d like to practise solo, as part of a team, or in a group;
- whether you’d like to combine one or more sports, depending on the time of year (summer sport and winter sport).
This quick self-assessment will help you draw up an initial shortlist of activities.
The question of practice
To get into sport — and more importantly, to stick with it beyond the first two sessions — there are a few key factors to keep in mind.
- First point: choose the right time to exercise. The best time is simply the one that works for you, both in terms of availability and energy levels. That said, two windows are best avoided: right after meals (digestion takes priority) and too close to bedtime (exercise can make it harder to fall asleep).
- Second point : make time for sport. From the very start, block out at least one slot per week for your workout. And stick to it no matter what — that hour belongs to sport, and sport alone!
- Third point : be realistic. When you first start exercising, it’s tempting to overdo it — which often leads to burnout and injuries within a few weeks. It’s far better to start gently (one session per week) at a level suited to your current fitness, then gradually build up (2–3 sessions).
- Last point : get some support. If motivation is a real struggle, or you’re not sure where to start, consider working with a gym coach or joining a sports club. You can also look up tutorials online, or browse the workout routines shared right here on the Cellublue blog !
Which activity should you choose when getting into sport?
That’s a tricky question, since everyone has different tastes… That said, some sports are undeniably more beginner-friendly than others. Here are a few suggestions.
Gym workouts
Joining a gym is one of the best ways to get into sport. Why? Because you have all the equipment at your fingertips, a gym offers dozens of different activities (zumba, Hiit, yoga, spinning) and, above all, you have access to a personal trainer. And that’s a real asset when it comes to staying motivated! The only downside is the cost, as a membership can be a significant expense for some.
Solo outdoor sports
Whether it’s power walking, running or cycling, these activities are easy to get started with. Why? Because the initial equipment is affordable (even a bike — think second-hand!), they suit any setting and they’re fairly intuitive. They can also slot seamlessly into your daily routine: cycling to work, jogging to pick up the kids from school, walking the dog at a brisk pace…
Home fitness
Most households today have internet access. And what could be simpler than finding online fitness video sessions? After that, it’s all up to you — and it really isn’t complicated! A pair of leggings, a sports bra, a yoga mat, and you’re ready to go, following along with the instructor on screen. It’s hard to find an excuse not to start, since it’s truly a budget-friendly and incredibly fun option… And if fitness really isn’t your thing, there are also tutorials for gentle gym workouts, Pilates, stretching or yoga, all of which you can follow from your living room.
Aquatic sports at the pool
One last option: heading to the pool, whether on your own or as part of a class, and letting off steam in the water. Most pools have expanded their offering and now provide improvement classes in swimming, as well as aquabike and aquagym sessions. Here too, the equipment needed is minimal: a swimsuit, a cap and goggles. And aquatic sports have one more advantage: they’re fantastic for sculpting a beautiful figure!