Setting a huge goal like running a marathon or losing 100 pounds may not be the best way to get fit. These goals can feel overwhelming and cause you to give up when you don’t see instant results. Instead, set small, attainable goals that you can gradually incorporate into your lifestyle.
Before doing an exercise, especially one you’ve never done before, be sure to find out the correct form and amount of resistance you should be using. Often times, this is best checked by watching your movements in a mirror or having a friend or partner help you. Incorrect form can lead to limited results or injury.
If you find it hard to make time during your busy schedule to go to the gym don’t worry, there are ways you can still work out. You can get up 30 minutes earlier each morning and jog, or do push ups and sit ups. If you are serious about getting fit then you will make the time to accomplish your goals.
It is generally better to do more repetitions with less weight rather than doing only a few repetitions with a lot of weight if you want to improve your muscle mass. Building muscle mass is more about endurance than the ability to lift more weight. This is the preferred training for many weight lifters.
Try to work out on the weekends as much as you can to increase your chances for success. People will often use the weekends to relax and forget about anything that happens during the week. You never know what will happen during the week, so make time to schedule work outs during weekend hours, too. If you take the weekend off from weight loss and enjoy rich meals and big desserts with no exercise, you may just be back where you started come Monday morning.
When you are planning your gym regimen, make sure that you include cardio as often as possible. An hour on the treadmill will not only help you to tone your body, but can reduce the excess fat that you have on your stomach, arms and legs. This will go a long way to improving your appearance.
There are plenty of ways to exercise if you have a small child. You can try going on a walk with them. If you want something more intense, look into a running stroller that allows you to run while you push your child. You can also look for a side car or baby-seat for your bike so that you can take the little one with you on a bike ride.
If you are sick, take the time to heal instead of exercising. This is especially true if you are experiencing symptoms below the head. Your body will mostly be putting its resources towards healing itself rather than trying to build the muscle you are training for, so any work you do will more than likely be of little benefit. It’s better to rest up.
Use different methods when bench-pressing weights. To work-out your upper and lower arms, forcefully push the bench bar away from you, but to work your chest muscles, tightly pull it towards you. Get a complete workout – by using both of these methods – in the same session, and reap the benefits.
When working out, do not set a specific time to take a break. This will just make you work harder, which can cause negative effects. Instead, just take breaks when you need a breath or your muscles feel fatigued. Do not forget to drink lots of water when you are working out!
Fitness is an important part of anyone’s life to increase life expectancy and be healthy. When your body is healthy, your mind is healthy and you can get more done during the day. By drinking water, getting plenty of sleep, and having a balanced diet, you can ensure that you will be healthier for life.
If you are looking to become faster a good tip to keep in mind is that it is always better to increase the speed of your strides, rather than the length. Some people mistakenly try to increase their strides to cover more ground thinking it will make them faster, but your feet should always land under your body instead of ahead of it.
One small thing anyone can do to stay fit is to avoid elevators and escalators and take the stairs whenever possible. Taking the stairs will obviously help tone the lower half of your body, specifically your calves, but aside from that it is also a great way to easily burn a few calories.
It is possible to workout in the comfort of your own home without any workout equipment at all. There are a lot of fitness routines that do not require someone to use anything than their own body weight. You can do squats, sit-ups and push-ups without using even one weight and see great results after only a short period of time.
When working out it is a good idea to have variety in your fitness routine. Many people get bored with what they are doing and it can cause them to be less intense when they are working out or to just quit altogether. Try different types of exercise. Interval training is also a great way to keep boredom at bay.
To improve your fitness, get a workout partner. Once the burst of enthusiasm for a new fitness routine wanes, it is easy to find reasons to skip workouts. If someone else is expecting you to show up, though, you are more likely to follow through. So find a friend with a similar fitness level and buddy up.
As you can see, there are many better ways to gradually ease fitness into your lifestyle than making sweeping long-term goals. Follow the tips mentioned in this article for making small lifestyle changes to improve your fitness and before you know it–one small step at a time–you will be on your way to that marathon.