Regular exercise is associated with a whole host of psychological, physical, and emotional benefits, and can have a tremendous impact on one’s overall wellbeing. Many times, however, we can struggle with incorporating enough exercise into our lives. Here are some practical tips.
A good idea to lose weight is to join a recreational sport. Cardio can be very boring and a lot of people loathe the idea of running in place on a treadmill. Joining a recreational sport will keep things interesting and you’ll also be burning a lot of calories in the process.
When doing resistance training for fitness, choose a good weight that challenges you. The right weight will allow you to perform about ten to twelve repetitions of the exercise motion before you become too fatigued to do it again. Too heavy and you risk injury, too light and you won’t gain maximum benefit from your workout.
When working out, be sure to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Wearing shoes that are too tight, too big or that put uncomfortable pressure on any area of your foot will cause interuptions in your work-out routine and could even cause injury. Many aerobic and cross-training shoes provide adequate support for a wide variety of athletic activities.
Hiking is a great way to stay fit without having to spend a day at the gym. A state park is a great place to hike, sinc most of them have well groomed, predesignated trails. Not only will you get a cardiovascular workout, but there’s a good chance you will also take in some spectacular views.
Set smalls goals when trying to increase your fitness level. For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds you should make your initial goal to lose 5% of your weight. Meeting that goal will boost your confidence and resolve. If you would like to run a 5k spend some time improving your mile time and then go on to longer distances.
Chances are that you might be sore following a workout, but that doesn’t mean that you should automatically pop a Tylenol or Advil. Studies have indicated that these and other over-the-counter pain medications do not provide noticeable pain relief for post-workout muscle aches. What’s more, they may actually hinder muscle growth when taken immediately following a workout session.
Flex your glutes when you lift weights above your head. This will exercise your butt and is a safer way of working out in general. It will help take the load off your spine.
Everyone has a busy schedule. Many people find it hard to fit in a long workout in their busy lives. If this is the case, you should try doing whatever you can during the day. Even if it is only ten minutes you should try and get some sort of exercise.
Focus your stretches on your hamstrings, shoulders, and lower back. These tend to be the least flexible muscles in your entire body, and also the most injury prone, especially for men. Take the time to pay special attention to working them loose, or you may end up with a painful injury.
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.
Building forearm strength is easier than you might know and can be done almost anywhere. When you are finished with your newspaper, save a few sheets for working out. Place a sheet from the paper on a table or other flat surface. Simply start at one corner and crumple it into your hand, pulling the paper in as you go. Try to make this take about 30 seconds for maximum effect. Do this with both hands.
You need to decide exactly what you want, and go after it. Make a fitness goal and have no doubt that this is what you want to do. Once you have your mind made up, it will be less of a struggle because you will be determined to see it through.
Try not to work out your lower and upper extremities on the same day. This can cause injuries or muscle strains. Instead work on your upper body one day, and your lower body the next day. For instance, if you work on your legs today, work on your arms tomorrow.
Going out of town but don’t want to miss out on a workout? Here are a few ways you can workout while away from home. Pack the resistance bands. They don’t take up much space and provide a good workout. If you’re staying in a hotel, check and see if it has a gym. If they don’t, check with a local health club as some will sell day passes.
When you are trying to reach your fitness goals, it can be very useful to have an exercise buddy. Each one of you can spur the other on to stick with your scheduled program of exercise. On a day when you might otherwise skip your workout, you may find yourself more motivated to exercise if you know someone else is counting on you.
You can use simple things around your house to do exercises when you can’t go to the gym. Do push-ups against the wall. A chair can be used as a steadying point for doing leg lifts. Lift heavy objects like jugs of milk or canned goods.
You will find that the more you are exercising, the more confident and energetic you feel. This is good for your productivity at home, with your family, and with your career. Having more energy that stems from exercising and being more fit benefits you in a variety of ways, so make sure to get started now.
People who exercise on a regular basis often notice a dramatic improvement in their mood, energy level, and stamina. The health benefits of regular exercise are well documented. We hope this article has been of use to you as you seek to make physical fitness a priority in your life!