A Gym Guide for Beginners
By Holly Pommett
October 28, 2025
Photo Credit: VistaCreate
Fitness is an important element in maintaining one’s health, weight, and energy, while providing many opportunities to discover new hobbies and implement lifestyle changes.
Olivia Cerasoli, Virginia Tech graduate and Soleil certified fitness instructor, explained that getting into fitness allowed her to have more enjoyment throughout the day.
“If it's bringing a friend, starting slow, or giving yourself time to learn, find your comfortability,” she said. “Starting my day with some type of movement has helped me in my personal and professional life,” she said.
Going to the gym for the first time may be intimidating to some people, but following a plan and staying consistent, while understanding that results take time, are essential mindsets going into it.
Cerasoli encouraged challenges and powering through intimidation. “Changes aren't going to happen overnight. If you try one type of workout and you're not seeing results and don’t love it, maybe it’s not the right workout for you.”
UMD sophomore biology student Sophia Franchi recommended using school resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle and actively workout.
“I try to [put] my gym time into my daily schedule as if it's like a class period to keep me accountable and on time and help me organize my day,” said Franchi.
As a busy student, Franchi recommends going to the gym four to five times a week, and taking breaks when scheduling issues arise.
Out of her usual four or five days, Franchi completes a pull day, targeting back muscles and biceps. She also does a push day, targeting the chest, tricep, and shoulder muscles in the arms. In between upper body workouts, she spends the other two days focusing on her lower body, exercising the gluteus, quadricep, and hamstring muscles in the legs.
Another UMD student, sophomore psychology major Michelle Ozimbala, takes another approach to working out and maintaining fitness in her life. She explained that she goes to the gym directly after class in order to relieve her stress levels.
“It just became more of an interest of mine. I just find a lot of peace in working out. I think a good way of getting involved is just, if you want to make a change and better yourself in any way, it’s a great way to start,” said Ozimbala.
A key point she made included using available resources, especially social media videos to explore a variety of workouts throughout the week. TikTok and Youtube are common platforms she often uses to find insightful information on workout recommendations.
The Recreation and Wellness Department at UMD provides many opportunities for students to get involved in fitness. The Department offers a variety of free workout classes and gym access for students, only requiring a student ID to gain entrance.
Starting a fitness journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. All it takes is finding what works best, staying consistent, and utilizing available resources. Whether it’s joining a group class, following a workout plan online, or setting aside time for exercise each day, all are the right steps toward a healthier self.
Olivia Cerasoli, Virginia Tech graduate and Soleil certified fitness instructor, explained that getting into fitness allowed her to have more enjoyment throughout the day.
“If it's bringing a friend, starting slow, or giving yourself time to learn, find your comfortability,” she said. “Starting my day with some type of movement has helped me in my personal and professional life,” she said.
Going to the gym for the first time may be intimidating to some people, but following a plan and staying consistent, while understanding that results take time, are essential mindsets going into it.
Cerasoli encouraged challenges and powering through intimidation. “Changes aren't going to happen overnight. If you try one type of workout and you're not seeing results and don’t love it, maybe it’s not the right workout for you.”
UMD sophomore biology student Sophia Franchi recommended using school resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle and actively workout.
“I try to [put] my gym time into my daily schedule as if it's like a class period to keep me accountable and on time and help me organize my day,” said Franchi.
As a busy student, Franchi recommends going to the gym four to five times a week, and taking breaks when scheduling issues arise.
Out of her usual four or five days, Franchi completes a pull day, targeting back muscles and biceps. She also does a push day, targeting the chest, tricep, and shoulder muscles in the arms. In between upper body workouts, she spends the other two days focusing on her lower body, exercising the gluteus, quadricep, and hamstring muscles in the legs.
Another UMD student, sophomore psychology major Michelle Ozimbala, takes another approach to working out and maintaining fitness in her life. She explained that she goes to the gym directly after class in order to relieve her stress levels.
“It just became more of an interest of mine. I just find a lot of peace in working out. I think a good way of getting involved is just, if you want to make a change and better yourself in any way, it’s a great way to start,” said Ozimbala.
A key point she made included using available resources, especially social media videos to explore a variety of workouts throughout the week. TikTok and Youtube are common platforms she often uses to find insightful information on workout recommendations.
The Recreation and Wellness Department at UMD provides many opportunities for students to get involved in fitness. The Department offers a variety of free workout classes and gym access for students, only requiring a student ID to gain entrance.
Starting a fitness journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. All it takes is finding what works best, staying consistent, and utilizing available resources. Whether it’s joining a group class, following a workout plan online, or setting aside time for exercise each day, all are the right steps toward a healthier self.