There’s a staggering amount of marketing investment in the fitness industry. That’s because the global fitness industry is estimated to be worth around $244 billion and is growing at a rate of 5.6% each year. It’s no wonder, as people want to feel better, live longer, and reduce the chance of experiencing a lifelong medical condition.
As such, there are many companies out there with a vested interest in you purchasing as many products as possible before you start your fitness regimen. Whether you actually get fit or not is superfluous of course, provided you keep purchasing those products. No gym is going to remind you that you’ve been paying for the membership over the last year without attending.
For this reason, you may wonder, in among all the marketing churn, what you actually need to start your fitness regimen? Well, vanishingly few products believe it or not. In this post, we’ll discuss those investments you really should be making, not only for comfort and convenience but safety too.
Let’s begin:
Good, Fitting Footwear
It may seem like a basic piece of advice, but having the right shoes is pretty important when starting any fitness regimen unless you’re planning to run barefoot (not advisable). However, different shoes for different purposes are important. Weightlifting shoes are often more stable and with flatter soles, which allows you a solid base to balance yourself from. Running shoes are often supportive of arches and more comfortable, but going half a size up can help you prevent toe or nail injuries.
You don’t need to spend a huge amount of money here, but it is advisable to go for the best you can afford. That’s because you’ll be using these shoes with more stress than usual, so go for those that you can rely on to last years, and you’ll buy once only. Usually, the bigger name brands are better.
Helpful, Simple Supplements
If you were to walk into any supplement store, you’d get the idea that unless you swallowed seventy-eight capsules each morning you just haven’t been doing it right. But the truth is, for most people starting out, the basics are all you really need.
A good multivitamin is a solid place to start, as it can help fill in any gaps in your diet and support your overall health. If you’re lifting weights or doing intense exercise, protein powder can be beneficial to help with muscle recovery. But even then, you don’t need to go overboard. Certain “advanced” options can even be good for newcomers, such as High-Quality EAAs for Athletes, which simply help you create healthier conditions to build muscle and strength, for instance.
Anything outside of this, with the exception of vitamin D, magnesium, zinc etc, is generally superfluous at least when you’re beginning. It’s okay to keep it simple.
Comforting Clothing
The idea of “athleisure” has exploded in popularity, but do you need to look good when working out? Some people certainly do, but let’s just say we can’t relate. What’s the point of buying perfectly fitted comfortable and attractive gym clothes when you’re a spluttering mess at the end of a good workout? We don’t know. Just remember that comfort is key, and you don’t need to splurge on super expensive activewear to get it right. Well-fitted clothing that allows freedom of movement is really all you need, even if it’s just a plain white t-shirt and some joggers or shorts you feel comfortable with.
Some extras can help, such as moisture-wicking fabrics that pull sweat away from your body, especially if you’re going to be working up a sweat during cardio or strength training. This helps keep you cool and prevents that uncomfortable sticky feeling that often comes with cotton fabrics. Look for items that fit snugly but still allow for plenty of movement. That’s literally all you need. You can adjust later as you want, such as purchasing a good sports smartwatch or elastic-wear if you need.
Accessories/Equipment For Specific Exercises
This is where things can get a little more specific depending on what kind of exercise you want to do. For example, if you’re interested in running, you might want to invest in a reliable fitness tracker or app that monitors your distance, pace, and heart rate. If you’re lifting, a good set of resistance bands or dumbbells can be a useful addition to your routine, or the specific shoes we mentioned. If you want to do yoga at home, well, the mat is going to be necessary.
Don’t worry though, you just buy what’s relevant to your goals and workout style. You don’t need a ton of equipment cluttering up your space right away. If you’re starting with bodyweight exercises, you can absolutely get by without any additional gear, but if you’re committed to a certain activity, investing in decent accessories can make your routine more effective and enjoyable.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily start your fitness regimen with care.
