Anybody who has begun their fitness journey has faced the inevitable question: How do I begin? From figuring out the best training technique to finding the right diet plan, exercisers have several exercise and workout questions. In fact, a lot of beginners ask the exact same exercise questions.

So, in today’s blog, I’ve rounded up the most common workout questions that personal fitness trainers get asked almost daily. Their answers are your key to efficient workouts and lasting progress. 

Common questions about exercising

• Question #1: Will abdominal exercises reduce my belly fat?

Abdominal exercises are excellent for strengthening your back and core. However, they are not particularly useful for reducing the fat around your stomach. Consistent and comprehensive cardiovascular exercise every week is actually the most effective way to reduce fat accumulated anywhere on your body. Abdominal exercises don’t burn belly fat specifically, but they help the belly appear more toned.

• Question #2: Should I work out every day? How often should I work out?

You don’t need to work out every day. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends 150 minutes of weekly physical activity at a mid-level intensity to maintain current weight and achieve health benefits. When trying to lose weight, ACSM recommends getting 250 minutes of exercise per week, which equates to a little over one hour of exercise four times a week.

Most trainers recommend at least a day or two rest within a week. This allows your body to recuperate from all the hard work that you put in. However, a rest day doesn’t mean a day without any activity! Regular, light movements such as a walk in the park with your dog or light stretches are good recovery techniques. They increase blood flow and reduce tension from your muscles. So, it’s important to do some type of movement every day.

• Question #3: I’ve been working for some time now but can’t seem to lose any more weight. What happened?

Most likely, you’ve hit a plateau. This means that your body has become acclimated to the activity that you’ve been performing to lose weight. Now is the time to undertake a new regimen to challenge your body. For example, if you used to walk on the treadmill, try a mix of walking and running. If you are working with weights, it’s time to increase them. 

Our bodies are smart machines. They become accustomed to the same activities when performing them over a period of time, and will eventually stop producing results. This is why trainers recommend a mix of activities like cardio, HIIT, yoga, and weight training throughout the week. Creating a diverse workout routine also keeps things interesting and fun!

• Question #4: What diet should I follow?

There’s a popular saying among fitness professionals – Weight loss is 90% diet and 10% exercise. This stands true for all fitness goals. Your diet plays an essential role in the overall success of your workouts. It is important to give your body the energy and fuel it needs to work out and recover from exercise. There are many diets out there and it really does boil down to your individual fitness goals and personal choice.

However, a general piece of advice would be to include whole foods, chuck out processed and preservative-laden foods, avoid sugary drinks, and consume a lot of water. The quality and content of what you eat matters a lot, so aim to eat fresh, home-cooked food as often as possible.

• Question #5: How long will it take to see the results?

By far, this question ranks first among the top exercise questions. Normally, it takes somewhere between 6 to 8 weeks (or sometimes even more) to see the results. In the age of instant gratification, this may be disappointing to many. But, remember – your hard work is paying off, even if you don’t see the results right away!

So, there you go – top physical fitness questions and answers that trainers hear all the time. Do you have any other workout questions? Share them in the comments below, and I will answer them.