Gym Junkie Starter Kit

Today’s read is all about Fitness! That is right, get ready to read all about the best pre-workouts to try, supplements, and mentors to follow. The gym can be a very intimidating place when you do not have a clue as to what you are doing; however, the more you go the easier it will become! I personally love weight lifting, there is something about increasing weight and exceeding your expectations that is beyond rewarding. It definitely took many years to convert from being an elliptical girl to a free weights lover. I used to think that the free weights section was only for fit males who knew what they were doing. Boy was I wrong, plus a lot of them have terrible form! So don't you worry, with the following tips you will be a pro in no time.

FIRST THINGS FIRST THE FIT

Some people are not as picky when it comes to the outfit you are going to be sweating in; but trust me, what you wear makes a huge difference! Put it this way, you are going to be checking yourself out for 2 hours you want to make sure you are wearing fitted clothing so your form can easily be adjusted if needed. Ladies, we may not admit it but we put some effort into what we are wearing without even knowing (yes, checking if your leggings are squat proof counts as checking out the Fit)!

I highly recommend Gymshark! It is a European based line that has made its way to the US. They have become one of the latest hit trends within the industry! The ultra seamless high waisted leggings are my absolute favorite. I love that they are seamless and hold everything in! Most of the products are very affordable ranging from 30- 70 dollars. For a price like this you can expect to have decent fabric that contours the glutes and are squat proof! The flex leggings are more affordable but I do not recommend them because they are low rise. If you have a little bit of a tummy and don’t like it when the elastic cuts right into the stomach area these leggings probably are not the best fit for you.

PRE WORKOUT

I am not heavy on the supplements because they can get extremely pricy but the one thing I cannot gym without is my pre-workout. Many are not FDA approved so be sure to do your research. I love to start my mornings off with a great workout and on days where it is difficult to get out of bed, pre-workout is my best friend!

You want to make sure that you consider the amount of caffeine and beta-alanine the substance contains. These two ingredients will play a huge factor (go for the lower count if you do not like the tingly feeling). I recommend that you ease into it and start with just half a dose and increase as you go. Be mindful of your body and make sure you are aware of how you react to the substances you take.

My top favorite are:

1. Lit AF (really strong and gives you a tingly sensation)

2. Ghost Legend

3. Bucked Up

4. Steel Shredded-Af ( Is a fat burner but serves as a pre-workout)

FITNESS GUIDES AND MORE

If you are new are completely lost at the gym, or are lazy like me... there are plenty of workout gurus in the market with amazing guides. Be sure to do your research and find which plan is best for you. I discovered Hanna Oberg's workout guides a year ago, and let me tell you they are tough! Hanna's guides are easily accessible through the Aflete app. This app tracks your progress and gives you a number of sets and reps for each workout of the day. You do not have to know the names of the excersises because the app comes with tutorials. This ensures that you have the right form. It is all about technique!

The two that I have tried are #getstrongstaysassy and #getleanstayhealthy both of these guides serve two completely different purposes. I favor the get strong, stay sassy guide because it is all about building muscle mass and volume (it is perfect for bulking season). The guides are less than 30 dollars and you have access to them for life! If you are curious but do not want to pay for guides youtube and Instagram are your best bet! I will list a few of my favorite accounts to follow down below!

Gym Influencers to Follow:

1. Whitney Simmons

2. Michelle Lewin

3. Grow with Jo

4. Heidi Somers -Buff Bunny

5. Steve Cook

6. Christian Guzman