I'm a complete beginner at fitness.
Stress 'AR-mi'. 'Prime armi' is an idiom — literally 'first weapons'.
Use this idiom to describe yourself as a beginner when joining a gym or starting with a personal trainer. It's a colourful and natural way to say you're new to something.
'Essere alle prime armi' is an Italian idiom meaning to be a complete beginner, literally 'to be at one's first weapons'. It's widely used for any new skill. A simpler alternative: 'Sono un principiante' (I'm a beginner).
Sono un principiante.
I'm a beginner.
Simpler, more direct alternative.
Non ho mai sollevato pesi prima.
I've never lifted weights before.
Specifying the skill.
Ho bisogno di partire dalle basi.
I need to start from the basics.
Asking for a beginner approach.
Italian gyms generally have a welcoming culture toward beginners ('principianti'). The Italian social value of 'accoglienza' (hospitality/welcoming) extends to gym environments. Trainers are often patient educators, not just exercise demonstrators.