Many people are under the misconception that if they are thin they are fit. There are many thin people who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and are really, not as fit as they think they are. There are some things that you should consider if you want to know just how fit you really are.
If you are just getting into working out, consult a personal trainer for advice. Your trainer can help you to set up a suitable program so that you can reach your goals easily. For a beginner, the gym can be intimidating; a trainer can help by showing you around and giving you instructions. This will be a great step to starting a plan you will stick to.
In order to maximize your fitness routine, be sure to keep your workouts under an hour. This will help to prevent injury, as well as get the most out of your workout. You can actually lose muscle and testosterone because your body goes into a minor state of shock due to release of a chemical called cortisol.
When you’re doing cardio workouts on equipment like a treadmill or elliptical, don’t lean too much on the handrails. This reduces the amount of weight you’re putting on your legs while you work out and means you’ll burn less calories. It also means you won’t get the full muscle building effect from the work out since your muscles won’t be working as hard.
A basic weight lifting routine of high weight and lower repetitions is good for building muscles. Choose a muscle group to start with, perhaps the chest or the biceps. Do a warm-up set by lifting weights that are easy to lift. Do about 20 reps to warm up: use lighter weights if you cannot do 20 reps. The next set should include about 6 to 8 repetitions with a heavier weight. When you get to the final set, increase the weight that you lift between 5-10 pounds.
Think outside the box when it comes to your weight loss and fitness goals. Instead of doing the same boring things like running, walking, push ups, etc. try something fun. Why not take a dance class? There are tons of fun classes you can take that will whip you into shape.
If you want to get stronger as soon as possible, try cutting down the amount of time it takes you to do your fitness routine by ten percent. This can also help your muscles get a better workout while improving your endurance. As an example, during your next workout session, trim 2 minutes off of your 20 minute routine.
Try to avoid burnout during your workout sessions by keeping track of your pulse the next morning. If your pulse appears to be 10 bpm or much more than the normal pulse, it means that your body is still in a state of recovery and that you must take it easy.
You should not work your abdominal muscles every day that you work out. Ab muscles are like the other muscles in your body. You should try to work your abdominal muscles only two to three times a week. Use your days off from ab exercises to work on other muscles in your body.
You can get a great workout while you do everyday things such as shopping. Add a bit more walking to your trip by parking further away from your location. Try walking for at least 10 minutes a day to see results. When shopping in the mall, try walking the full length of the mall.
An elastic exercise band can be a good low resistance way for someone to work on their fitness. The bands also have the advantages of being highly portable so you can take them with you when you travel and use them in many different locations. An exercise band is another good fitness tool for someone to have.
To reach your fitness goal of building those killer, six-pack abs, only work your abdominal muscles two to three times per week. Your abdominal muscles are like every other muscle in your body; they need recuperation periods to ensure healthy and effective muscle building. Working your abs every day actually makes it harder to obtain six-pack abs – so crunch in moderation!
A great tip to help you get in shape is to start playing rugby. Although rugby can be a very tough sport, it can also get you in very good shape from all the running and strenuous activity. If you have the stomach for it, rugby can be a great way to get fit.
In the past, weight belts were routinely use. These days, they are reserved for extra-heavy duty lifting only. Overuse of belts can have detrimental effects. Wearing a weight belt too often can reduce the strength of the muscles in the lower back and abdomen.
Protein shakes and other weightlifting supplements are most effective when consumed immediately after a workout. Fitness enthusiasts who concentrate their exercise routines on building muscle mass will do lots of weightlifting and also likely use protein shakes to fuel their workouts. Research has found that the best time to fuel up is directly following exercise, rather than hours after finishing or before starting.
As you embark on your fitness journey, make certain to consult with a doctor in advance. Your doctor will know if exercising is right for you and which ones are best for you. Listening to what your doctor has to say is a good idea even if you’re already close to your fitness goals.
Diet greatly affects your body in the matter of fitness. A great way to eat healthy is to eat 4 to 8 ounces of meat every day. This will help you to grow muscle since meat is a good source of protein. Studies show that people who do this tend to be stronger as well.
The information that has been provided above should have given you an idea for just how fit you really are. If you are not as fit as you would like to be, it is important for you to start making changes now while you can still fix your overall fitness.