Whether you have already embarked on a personal journey to fitness or you have just decided that getting fit is something you want to do, you can probably use some advice on the subject. A few quick fitness tips – like the ones below – can help jump-start the beginning of a great fitness routine or add variety to a well-established one.
Fitness takes discipline, so learn to kill your excuses before they start. Exercise routines typically falter because of laziness or disorganization. Buy an organizer and schedule out your exercise routine. This way, you’ll stay on top of your routine and make sure that you’re hitting all of your target areas on schedule.
If you don’t already have a personal trainer, consider paying for just a few sessions. Often times you don’t need to pay for ongoing training, just a couple sessions to get you on the right track, and find out what kind of exercises you should be doing to meet your fitness goals as well as learning proper techniques for executing them.
No matter which type of workout you choose to do, you need to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water before, during and after exercise helps to replace fluids that are lost during your workout. Staying hydrated means that you will have more energy to go that little bit further, and you will feel better overall.
Most people don’t realize that regularly performing dead lifts and squats can actually give your abdominal muscles a great workout as well. By performing at least five sets of ten reps each, your body is toned in a way that enhances your natural posture and firms the oblique muscles with no additional effort.
When you run, you should build up more and more and go longer distances faster then when you previously started. One week out of every six, you should try and give your body a rest and chance to recuperate by running only half the distance and half the speed.
When you are doing crunches, push your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth. Doing so forces you to straighten out your neck, preventing any chances of neck injury. This also helps to decrease neck fatigue, and allows you to increase the amount of crunches you are able to do in one sitting.
Practice your running form. Your feet should always hit the ground directly under your body, not in front of, or behind you. Your toes should be the way you propel yourself forward, not the ball of your foot or the heel. Getting running form correct is the best way to maximize your running potential.
Don’t forget that it’s important to warmup your mind as much as your body prior to a work out. While your body may be doing all the heavy lifting, it’s your mind that’s coordinating its efforts. To prevent silly mistakes that can cause injuries, be sure to do some stretches that challenge the brain, like one-legged squats.
To increase your balance, try standing one-legged on a sofa cushion while passing a medicine ball from one hand to the next. This is harder than it sounds and will increase your coordination, balance and overall body control. For an advanced technique, try closing your eyes during the exercise.
After you finish a workout, you need re-fuel your body. Your body will need a nourishing, balanced meal and plenty of fluids, within in an hour of completing your workout. Your body works hard after a workout to rehydrate, store carbohydrates for future and exercise, and repair tired muscles.
If you get bored with your fitness routine, try another one. Sometimes, it can be boring to do the same workout over and over, so switch it up. Instead of doing a cardio workout, try yoga or Pilates. Do more strength training workouts. This way you won’t get bored as easily.
The cool down period is an essential part of any fitness routine and the perfect way to end an intense workout. You can cool down by stretching to cut down on any muscle soreness you might experience after a workout. Cooling down is also a great way to let your heart settle back into its normal rhythm.
Do at least twelve consistent minutes of cardio. Any amount of cardio exercise will burn the calories, but to really get the pounds off, your body needs at least twelve consistent minutes of moderate to high-intensity cardio beyond the warm-up. Try to do this most days of the week and it will pay off.
You should get a personal trainer. You usually get a trainer when you subscribe to a gym. Find a trainer that gets to know you and works with you on an effective plan. A good trainer should help you with nutrition, establish a good work-out routine and help you keep track of your progress.
When you are getting ready to lift weights at the gym make sure your bench is a good one. Press your thumb down into the pad and if you can feel the wood move on to the next one. Hard benches are not good for your back and can damage your spine.
Experiment with exercises and choose the ones that you enjoy doing. If you are enjoying the fitness routine that you are doing then you are less likely to slack off and stop doing it! Having fun while training is always a good idea and will keep you on the right track!
A great fitness tip that everyone can use is to increase the amount of protein you intake when you are trying to gain muscle. Proteins contain the amino acids needed to build muscle so you should definitely increase them in your diet. Make sure you eat meats as they contain amino acids that our bodies cannot produce.
One thing most good fitness regimens have in common is personalization. You need a fitness routine that works for you, not a stringent course you must follow exactly. A flexible routine can easily incorporate the new fitness ideas you pick up, and new ideas can keep anyone’s fitness program from getting stale.