Are you a GMB n00b?
n00b (newb or newbie) is internet slang for someone who’s inexperienced in a particular topic. If you’re just stepping into a gym or trying out some bodyweight training for the first time, you’re a n00b! If you’re just starting to get a handle on GMB and our programs, you’re a n00b ๐
And that means you’re in the very best position to set yourself up for success.
We know that being a n00b entails some amount of uncertainty. You’ve probably got a lot of questions, so we asked some of our most experienced clients to chime in and give some sage advice based on their experience.
Here’s what they had to say ๐
Prioritize The Basics. Always. No Matter What.
How you approach the fundamental movements will be a litmus test for how well you do with more difficult skills you want to learn.
All of the world’s top athletes attribute their success to mastering and repeating the fundamentals, so there’s no wiggling out of this one.
Don’t overlook the so-called “easy” stuff.
Where a lot of people mess up is by trying to rush the program, approaching the harder movements too soon.
Something we’ve noticed over the years is people with training experience trying to skip over something they feel is too easy for them, only to find out they’re struggling just a few weeks into the program.
No matter how easy something feels at first, take it seriously and give it your best.
In other words… Nail The Basics & Everything Gets Easier.
- ๐ If you’re brand new to GMB, check out the 2 bodyweight movements we think everyone should learn (yes, even you).
- ๐๐ผ Learn about our GMB Method, where we show you how to approach learning any new skill.
- ๐ช And if you’ve been training but just found GMB, here’s some types of movement we focus on that get left our of a lot of other workouts.
“You can never spend too much time on the basics. Even if they feel simple or easy, if you take the time to slow things down and feel what’s happening in your body, you’ll gain so much more body awareness and understanding of the movements, which will allow you to progress with more confidence and ease.” โ GMB Trainer Verity
Consistency Is More Important Than Intensity
A lot of our clients come from sports and training backgrounds where they’ve absolutely punished their bodies with an “all-or-nothing” approach to training.
If you’ve always tested your limits, it can feel weird to hold back from absolutely shooting your wad every time you work out.
However, the way you make long term progress is by consistent exposure to the practice.
But how good of an effort can you give today if you blew yourself out yesterday trying to do a handstand push-up when you can’t even do a cartwheel?
We encourage and give you permission to push yourself, but don’t go to complete muscular failure all the time. Leave some gas in the tank, so you can come back stronger and more able the next day.
Here’s how to be more consistent:
- Start conservatively with your training by scheduling 3 sessions in the week to see out how that feels before adding more training days.
- Pick a session length that you will stick to (you can choose between 15, 30, or 45 minute workouts in our Elements program). Note: you always have options for session length every time you open our Praxis app for a workout.
- Don’t set impossible standards for yourself. We want you setting goals, but it’s better to be realistic and work toward the next step than trying to be an elite athlete in 30 days.
Speaking of intensity, you will probably be sore after your first few days, and that’s perfectly normal. Active recovery is something we’re fond of, so be sure to take care of your body when you’re feeling beat up.
We want you going hard, but we want you going the distance, too. So yes, long and hard is the goal, but you don’t have to rush it. Committing 3 days per week of training for the next 2 months will yield far better results than trying to train 6 days per week and always missing sessions.
Plus, we make it easy to never miss because you can always choose a 15- or 30-minute session when you’re short on time.
“If you can find a way to have fun with your training, itโs going to make consistency a whole lot easier – and you feel super cool doing fun stuff.” โ GMB Trainer Eduardo
Protect The Only Set Of Wrists You’ll Ever Get.
A lot of our clients who aren’t used to supporting their bodyweight with their hands on the ground will often complain about sore wrists.
This can usually be chalked up to a lack of flexibility and having very little experience walking around on all fours (what we call Locomotion).
The good new is you will increase your flexibility with our programs and you will condition your wrists to be sturdy over time. We have been teaching people to do handstands, L-sits, and inverted push-ups for years, so we know what it takes to bulletproof your wrists.
If you’re one of the unlucky people with wrist pain, try out this little routine to get them feeling better (or to just warm them up before training).
Focus On What You Can Do And Do It Well.
It’s easy to get hung up on the details of trying to do every movement correctly and to make progress at a rapid pace.
But you can only do what you can do when you can do it. This isn’t a competition between anyone other than yourself.
The best (and most realistic) way for you to make progress is to forget about what you think you should be doing based on what others are doing. Focus only on what you can do well, and make sure that everything you attempt has your full attention and focus.
It’s easy to just ‘get the reps in’ and be hopeful for a happy ending. But we’re not big on just doing reps for the sake of doing them. Instead, we want every rep you do to be a good one. And once you can do more, go on ‘head and do more. This is the mindful way to approach your training.
Look at how GMB Trainer Verity moves with Quality and Control here:
Be Patient And Follow The Damn Program!
If you’re like a lotta people, you just might feel the urge to make changes or add to the program.
We get it. But it’s in your best interest to trust the process.
Be patient. Follow the program as it is, not how you think it should be.
Andy, Ryan, and Jarlo have decades of experience in various forms of martial arts, gymnastics, physical therapy, and coaching, so they know a thing or two because they’ve seen a thing or two.
And plenty of our clients are happy they stuck with the program, even when they felt like veering off to do something else. Trust. Don’t rush.

Of all the mobility thatโs required for this program, the thing that was most challenging for me at first is getting into a comfortable deep squat. I've improved dramatically since then, without even really trying. That's part of the beauty of going in and out of a deep squat dynamically, which is what the Monkey and Frogger force you to do. It just naturally opens up those hips.
And then to sit at the bottom in a deep squat and realize that your chest is fully up and down and youโre not hunched around over your knees, it was pretty amazing.
You will feel stronger. You will improve your mobility. It feels so good that it doesnโt feel like youโre sacrificing anything to make time for training. And if youโre anything like me, youโll never go back.
ย See more GMB client results and case studies
๐๐ผ Getting Started Is Easy
When you’re ready to dip your toes into our world of moving better, the best place to begin is with our Elements program. You don’t need a fully equipped gym, fancy fitness gadgets, or a new pair of yoga pants. Ryan mostly trains in jeans.
You only need your body, and enough space that you can comfortably lie down and move around in (we have people doing our programs in their laundry room).
Build a Consistent Training Habit With a Foundation in the Basics
With Elements, you’ll build a foundation of strength, flexibility, and control on a schedule that suits you, setting yourself up for a lifetime of staying fit and active.