Starting Strong: How to Get Moving and Commit to Your Fitness Journey

Caitlyn Davey • April 2, 2025

When it comes to improving your health and fitness, taking that first step can often feel like the hardest part.


Whether it’s the thought of stepping into a gym for the first time, committing to a membership, or simply finding the motivation to move, getting started is a challenge.


But here’s the truth: progress begins with action.


Let’s explore how you can overcome mental and physical barriers to starting—with sports science to guide you.


Why Moving Matters

Movement is medicine.
Regular physical activity brings
profound benefits:

  • Improves cardiovascular fitness
  • Reduces the risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease


According to a study published in The Lancet, even 15 minutes of exercise per day can increase life expectancy by up to three years.

Movement also impacts your mental health:

  • Exercise releases endorphins—your body’s natural "feel-good" chemicals
  • Helps combat stress, anxiety, and depression


Key takeaway: Moving is one of the most effective ways to improve your body and mind.


Motivation: The Science of Getting Started

Motivation doesn’t come first—action does.


Research in sports psychology shows that taking action creates momentum, which then fuels motivation.

Here’s how to jumpstart your motivation:


Set Clear Goals

  • Write down your "why."
  • Whether it's building strength, boosting energy, or setting an example for your family, knowing your purpose will anchor your journey.


Focus on Small Wins

  • Break larger goals into small, achievable tasks.
  • Instead of committing to a full month, aim for one gym session this week.


Leverage Accountability

  • A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that people who shared their goals with a friend were 33% more likely to achieve them.
  • Joining a supportive community, like Rebuild Health and Fitness, can provide that encouragement and accountability.


Why Join a Gym?

If you’ve been working out at home or weighing your options, joining a gym can be a game-changer.


Access to Expertise

  • Learn proper technique to reduce injury risk and achieve results faster.
  • At Rebuild, we tailor programs to suit your individual needs, ensuring you move safely and effectively.


Variety and Progression

  • Access to equipment, structured programming, and expert coaching keeps your workouts engaging and effective.
  • Progressive overload—gradually increasing resistance or intensity—is key to strength and endurance gains, and is difficult to replicate at home.


A Community That Cares

  • Humans thrive on social connection.
  • Being part of a supportive gym environment enhances motivation and commitment, especially on the tough days.

Practical Tips to Get Started

Start with What You Enjoy

  • If traditional workouts feel intimidating, try a group fitness class or work with a personal trainer to ease into the experience.
  • Enjoyment is a strong predictor of long-term exercise adherence, according to research in Psychological Bulletin.


Prioritise Consistency Over Perfection

  • Progress comes from small, consistent efforts, not from doing everything perfectly.
  • Show up, and the results will follow.


Trust the Process

  • Building fitness is a journey, not a quick fix.
  • Focus on progress, not perfection—and celebrate every milestone along the way.


Ready to Take the First Step?

At Rebuild Health and Fitness, we understand that starting can be daunting.


That’s why we’ve created an inclusive, supportive environment where every movement is scalable to your fitness level.


Whether you’re new to the gym or returning after a break, we’re here to help you move, progress, and achieve your goals.



👉 Contact Rebuild now to sign up and take your first step toward a stronger, healthier you.

Remember: The hardest part is starting. Your future self will thank you.

Previous Blogs

July 22, 2025
If you live in Wynnum or Capalaba , chances are you’ve seen a bootcamp in action — high-intensity sessions in parks, with lots of burpees, sprints, and shouting. While bootcamps can be a fun way to get sweaty, there’s a reason more people are choosing structured strength training instead. At Rebuild, we often meet people who’ve jumped from one bootcamp to another, chasing results they never quite achieve, or can’t maintain. Here’s why strength training, not bootcamp-style fitness, is the smarter long-term approach for your health and body. 1. Progress Over Punishment Bootcamps often focus on burning calories and pushing people to their limits every session. It feels intense — but it’s usually random. There’s no plan beyond “go hard”. Strength training is different. It’s measured, progressive, and adaptable . Whether you’re lifting a barbell or doing bodyweight movements, the goal is to build skill, strength, and confidence over time. You're not punished for where you're at — you're coached toward where you want to be. 2. Stronger Muscles = Better Results Cardio-heavy bootcamps might help you lose weight quickly, but they rarely help you build muscle, and muscle is the key to long-term fat loss, strength, and mobility . When you train with resistance (weights, bands, or bodyweight), your body becomes more efficient. You burn more calories at rest, move better, and feel more capable in everyday life. And unlike bootcamps, strength training actually preserves lean mass while you're in a calorie deficit — which matters if your goal is body composition, not just weight loss. 3. Individual Coaching Matters Most bootcamps have one instructor yelling instructions to a big group. There’s rarely time to check your technique, let alone adjust for injuries, experience, or confidence levels. At Rebuild, our group sessions are coach-led and purpose-built . We take time to teach proper form, scale movements to your ability, and track your progress. You're not just surviving a workout — you’re learning how to move better and train smarter. 4. It’s Not Just About Today’s Workout Bootcamps often lack structure. You show up, do something exhausting, and leave. There’s no continuity or long-term planning. Strength training follows a programmed approach , meaning each week builds on the last. You’ll have sessions designed to improve specific movements and outcomes — whether that’s lifting more weight, increasing core strength, or mastering your first pull-up. That structure keeps you consistent, motivated, and injury-free. 5. Sustainability Over Shock Tactics If you’re tired of the “go hard or go home” mentality, strength training is for you. It’s adaptable to all ages, bodies, and goals . You’ll get fitter, stronger, and more confident — without burning out or breaking down. Ready to train with purpose? If you're looking for something better than a bootcamp in Wynnum or Capalaba , join us at Rebuild. We coach real people — not fitness models — to get real results. 📍 Structured training 📍 Expert coaches 📍 Community that has your back You don’t need to be fit to start. You just need to start.
July 22, 2025
A lot of people have completed a marathon but how many people have collapsed at 40km?

Sometimes you do everything right, and shit still doesn’t go to plan.
 Last weekend I ran in the Gold Coast Marathon, my first ever marathon. I trained properly, my body felt relatively good (all things considered when preparing to run 42.2km), I carb-loaded, and my race day nutrition was dialled in.
 I was ready.
 We set off. Jess and the kids met me at different points on the course with signs, the atmosphere was great. I loved seeing the kids with their signs. Pacing felt on point. The first 21km? Easy. I felt great. Maybe I should’ve drunk more water, but I didn’t think too much of it at the time.
 At 25km, I felt slower, but pace wise I was still holding well. I’d kept telling myself throughout the day "The race starts at 30km." And let me tell you, it does.
 By 30km, the sun was out, and I was starting to struggle. My watch started glitching so I had no real idea of my splits. I thought I was slowing down a lot (turns out I wasn’t), but the effort to keep the same pace suddenly felt 10x harder.
 I hadn’t taken on enough water. Usually, I can get away with lower fluids. Not this time. Dehydration crept in. hard.
 At 35km I was in survival mode, one foot in front of the other, flicking between moments of pain and little short lived waves of “let’s go.” But by 39km I was delirious. I could see the finish line, I hit the 40km mark (where I thought enjoyment might return to finish), and I collapsed.
 I was gone. Scary stuff.
 The last few hundred metres were a complete blur. All I remember is the crowd, the medics, and about five paramedics suddenly around me. I was vomiting, shaking, confused, in and out of it. I had this overwhelming, indescribable feeling, and honestly, for a moment, I thought I could die.
 My memory went. I couldn’t recall the day, the year, where I lived, or how to spell. I only knew who Jess and the kids were, and that I didn’t want them to see me with wires in me. 
 My temperature had hit 40°C. Blood pressure crashed. Thankfully, the medics and paramedics were incredible, I had a drip running into me within 10 to 15 minutes.
 As I already knew, I’m stubborn. I wanted to run it all. Not walk. Not stop and breathe and In hindsight, I should have. 
 Seems like my mind was just a bit stronger than my body on the day. I never thought I could push myself there in all honesty. 

Am I gutted? Of course, I was only 2km away but I gave it everything I had on that day. Heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration got me. 

I am always reminded here of the quote ‘The man in the arena’ look it up if you need. 
 Will I run 42.2km again? Yes, I feel I need to. 

Would I do things differently, now I’ve run 40km under race conditions? You bet, lessons learnt. Always lessons. Never be scared to not succeed. Be scared to never try in the first place. 
 We go again.
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