“I need to get in shape before I join a gym.”
I hear this all the time.
Maybe you’ve been thinking about starting for months. Maybe you know you need to lose some weight. Maybe you haven’t worked out in years and you feel like you’re too far behind.
So you tell yourself you’ll start once you get in better shape first.
But here’s the problem.
Getting in shape is the reason you should start.
You don’t need to lose 20 pounds before you walk through the door. You don’t need to know how to squat, deadlift, or do a pull-up. You don’t need to be athletic. You don’t even need to feel confident.
You just need to be willing to start.
I know this because I’ve been on both sides of it.
When I moved to Alabaster in 2016, I didn’t know a single person. I had previously been a member of a CrossFit gym in college and had made some great friends through it, so when I moved here, joining a gym seemed like a good way to meet people and stay active.
I walked into CrossFit Alabaster not knowing what to expect.
Thankfully, I felt welcomed from day one.
That same feeling is something we try to create for every person who walks through our doors today.
We understand that everyone starts somewhere different.
Some people are strong but have no idea how to improve their nutrition. Some have never touched a barbell. Some haven’t exercised in years. Some are nervous just walking into a gym.
That’s okay.
Our job as coaches isn’t to expect you to come in ready. Our job is to meet you where you are and help you figure out where to go from there.
We can modify exercises. We can adjust the weight. We can slow things down. We can help you understand nutrition. We can help you build a routine that actually fits your life.
You don’t have to have it all figured out before you start.
In fact, waiting until you have it all figured out is usually what keeps you from starting in the first place.
If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ll start when I lose some weight,” “I’ll start after vacation,” or “I need to get in better shape first,” I want you to consider doing the opposite.
Start now.
Start small.
Start imperfectly.
And let the process of showing up help you become the person you’re trying to become.
A few things you actually need to get started:
You need consistency. You don’t have to work out seven days a week. You need a schedule you can realistically stick to.
You need patience. Your body didn’t get where it is overnight, and it won’t change overnight either.
You need accountability. Having a coach, friend, spouse, or community helping you stay on track can make a huge difference.
You need to be willing to learn. You don’t need to know everything. That’s what coaches are there for.
And most importantly, you need to take the first step.
You don’t have to be in shape to start.
Getting started is how you get in shape.
