How To Get Fit If You Are A Beginner

Updated: June 2026

How to get fit if you are a beginner can be an intimidating and challenging undertaking.

If you are new to fitness, do not fear. Everyone, even the most experienced fitness professionals, was once a beginner. You have to start somewhere.

It is a brave thing to decide to make a change to your health and fitness, so firstly, congratulations.

When you take that first step into a more active lifestyle, you are only a few weeks away from seeing many of the benefits that come from consistently working on your fitness.

Benefits such as:

Improved energy
Better quality sleep
Faster metabolism
Decreased stress levels

But where do you start?

In today’s quick-fix society, it can be really hard for a beginner to get fit because there is simply too much information available.

It is confusing.

Do I do HIIT training? Circuit training? Metabolic training?

What even are they?

How do I know what program is right for me?

With a wealth of information available, finding a place to start can often be the hardest thing.

Today, we have tried to make the process a little bit simpler for you.

Read below for our top tips on how to get fit if you are a beginner.

Find Your “Why”

The first step to success revolves around finding the reason behind why you want to make this change to your fitness.

Do this properly and you will have long-lasting levels of motivation to tap into throughout your journey.

Questions that we always ask our members before they start their journey with us include:

What is the number one reason that you are looking to make a change to your fitness?
Why is this important to you?
How long have you been thinking about making a change?
In what ways do you want your life to improve?
What will achieving this goal enable you to do?

If you are honest with yourself whilst answering the above questions, then you are much more likely to see success with your goals.

Why?

Because it will help you maintain motivation levels when the challenging times arrive.

Our best success stories are those who were able to be really honest with themselves from the beginning.

Start Slow

This is crucial if you want long-term success.

If you are looking to get fit and you are a beginner, then you should NEVER overcommit to your training plan.

It is a recipe for disaster.

Why?

You open yourself up to a myriad of issues including:

Increased risk of injury
Burning out
Not having enough time to rest and recover
Not giving your body a chance to adapt

If any of the above occur, then it can be really hard to maintain a good routine around fitness.

Our recommendation?

Start with 3 x 30-minute workouts per week at about a 50% intensity.

Do this until you have a good rhythm going and then look to add to it.

If you create a strong foundation, then your chance of ongoing success is much higher.

Many beginners think they need to already be fit before they begin exercising. The reality is that everyone starts somewhere, which is why we explain in starting personal training: do you need to be fit first? that getting fitter is the goal, not a requirement before you start.

Get Support

If you are a beginner looking to get fit, then it is important that you get the right network around you.

It does not have to be a solo journey and it is much easier to see success if you open yourself up to a little bit of help.

It is important to understand that motivation gets you started, but making fitness a lifestyle gives you the best chance of achieving the long-term result you are after.

A great way of ensuring that your efforts become a lifestyle is by getting the right people around you.

Find a gym buddy, join a sports team, get a personal trainer or do group exercise classes.

Not only will it make the process more enjoyable, but it will provide a support layer for when motivation levels drop.

The right people will:

Lift you up when you are down
Help you stay motivated
Give you advice when you need it
Support you when challenges arise

Many people are surprised by what happens when you start personal training because the accountability, structure and support often become just as valuable as the exercise itself.

It is a great thing to have the right people around you.

Do Something You Enjoy

Too often we see a beginner trying to get fit fail because they are doing things they simply do not enjoy.

How can you be expected to maintain a high level of enthusiasm around something you dislike?

If you do not like running, then do not try to get fit through running.

If you do not like swimming, then do not try to get fit through swimming.

Find something that excites you, challenges you and gives you the best opportunity for long-term success.

It is also important to understand that you might not love exercise, and that is perfectly normal.

You do not have to love it.

You just need to find something that you can enjoy enough to stick with.

Spend some time thinking about activities you enjoy or enjoyed when you were younger.

Improving fitness levels does not have to involve spending hours in a gym.

It could mean:

Taking up a sport
Joining a swim club
Going hiking
Playing social sport
Returning to an activity you once loved

The best exercise program is the one you can consistently stick to.

Understand There Will Be Setbacks (And That’s OK)

Life is not easy.

It is a series of challenges that we must overcome in order to move forward.

That is never more evident than when you are trying to get fit as a beginner.

If you understand from the beginning that it will not be sunshine and rainbows all the time, then you will be well equipped to deal with challenges as they arise.

This is why the previous points are so important.

They reduce the risk of setbacks occurring.

But they do not eliminate them.

If you truly commit to fitness becoming part of your lifestyle, then you need to be prepared to adjust and adapt when challenges arise.

You may need to modify:

Your approach
Your training style
Your schedule
Your intensity

But if you do not give up on your goals, you will always continue moving forward.

For many people, having the right environment can make those setbacks much easier to overcome. Understanding the differences between personal training vs group training can help you find the style of support that suits you best.

In Conclusion…

If you are looking to get fit as a beginner, congratulations.

It is a big first step and one that must be made if you are serious about improving your health and fitness.

If you want to give yourself a fantastic chance of ensuring those improvements last, then it is important to understand the journey ahead.

Do not overcomplicate things.

Start slow.

Get the right people around you.

Find something you enjoy.

Accept that setbacks are part of the process.

You will be amazed at the results you can achieve in a relatively short period of time.

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a beginner exercise?

For most beginners, starting with 3 sessions per week is a great place to begin. This allows your body time to adapt while building consistency and confidence.

What is the best exercise for beginners?

The best exercise is the one that you enjoy and can stick to consistently. Walking, swimming, strength training, cycling and group fitness classes can all be excellent options.

How long does it take to get fit as a beginner?

Most beginners notice improvements in energy, fitness and confidence within a few weeks. More noticeable physical changes often occur after a few months of consistent exercise and healthy habits.

Ready To Start Your Fitness Journey?

Getting fit does not have to be complicated. The key is having the right plan, the right support and a sustainable approach that works for your lifestyle.

Ready to make a change? We are here to help.

At Authentic Personal Training, we specialise in helping beginners build confidence, improve fitness and create healthy habits that last. Our experienced team will guide you every step of the way in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Start with our 3 sessions for $30 intro offer and discover how achievable your health and fitness goals can be.