When you haven’t worked out in a while or perhaps haven’t ever worked out at all, starting a new routine is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. In order to make sure that you keep your motivation up to see the results that you want — and you deserve — you have to choose the right workout.

Some people dive into the first workout that they find and end up hating it.  As a result, they see it as a failure and give up working out entirely. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that not every workout is for everyone. Choosing a workout that you actually enjoy can entirely change your experience and encourage you to keep going.

Here are the best tips for starting a new workout routine and making sure you love it.

Always Warm Up First

When you fail to warm up your body before getting active, you risk getting injured. The last thing that you want to do is go the gym and slip and fall off the treadmill because you didn’t properly warm up your muscles.

Your body is like a car. It’s crucial to get your engine warmed up before you drive it in full gear. Otherwise, you’re going to have a vehicle that breaks down on the side of the road.

Combine Strength and Cardio

One of the best ways to see the most amount of results in the fastest amount of time is to combine strength and cardio. Some people only do one or the other, and the fact is together, they’re much more effective.

If you love dancing, then be sure to do your dance routine as often as you like. Just make sure to incorporate some weight lifting a few times a week. You’ll get in shape much faster.

Hydrate

Many people fail to hydrate during their workout, which results in them getting fatigued and overheated. It’s crucial to keep a bottle of water near you during your exercise and take small sips regularly to make sure you’re replacing fluids for your sweat lost.

Take Before And After Photos

One of the best ways to stay motivated after starting a new workout routine is to take before-and-after photos.

Some people rely too heavily on the scale. Because their weight hasn’t dropped significantly, they assume that they haven’t made much progress. However, people sometimes forget that muscle weighs more than fat.

You may not weigh less, but taking progress photos can often reveal a lot more progress than you thought you had achieved.

Try to take photos once every two weeks. You’ll find that after taking a few pictures, the results you see may be enough to keep you going.