A lot of the time, we tend to think of becoming physically fit as a chore that really isn’t easy. However, it is a necessity that should not be avoided if one wants a healthy and happy life. It is not necessary for your workouts to be very extreme. It just isn’t that hard. You may find it’s even fun!
Complete your weight lifting routine in 30 to 45 minutes. Also, your muscles can begin to deteriorate within an hour. Be sure to keep your weightlifting sessions to no more than one hour.
Use an array of different exercises to keep from getting into a workout rut. That way, you won’t get bored and decide to skip a workout. Plus, once your muscles are used to doing certain exercises, you receive less benefit from doing them.
You do not have to meet your fitness goals at the gym. Weights can help you get in shape, but you can maintain body’s muscles with these simple exercises: pull up, push up, squats, leg raises, bridges and handstand push ups.
Stay motivated about fitness by using a variety of fitness classes. Mixing it up a bit gives you the opportunity to discover new classes, and find more fun ways to get fit. Try dancing or take a yoga class. If you really want to get creative you could try a kickboxing class. You are not making a long-term commitment to these classes, and each time you try something different, you will be shedding pounds.
Start logging all of your physical activity each day. Make a note of which exercises you did, including the inadvertent workouts you were sure to get during the day. Make sure you also purchase a pedometer so that you can easily track your steps and add those to your information as well. This written record will prove invaluable in tracking your progress on your fitness journey.
Do the exercises that you don’t like. Commit to doing exercises you normally avoid since you probably avoid them only because they are the exercises that you are the weakest at. It’s the same principal as conquering your fears. Do the exercises you hate the most at the beginning and keep adding them to your routine.
When working with weight machines, go in order from smallest to largest. The smaller muscles in your body tire more quickly than the larger ones. Therefore it is smart to start with small machines or barbells before moving on to the larger machines. This way, when you’re working out those larger muscles, the smaller muscles can rest a bit.
As you lift weights up above your head, flex your glutes with each rep. This is not only good for a glute workout, it also lowers your chance of injury since you will be in a better position. The position you assume when flexing your glutes help to stabilize and protect your spine.
A great way to increase the impact of your exercise routine is to cut the amount of time you work out by ten percent without reducing the number of exercises. This improves your endurance and makes your muscles work harder. For instance, if your routine currently lasts 45 minutes, attempt to bring it down to just 40 minutes.
Make sure all of the gym equipment is clean before you use any of it. The previous user may have left behind a variety of germs. Since your goal is to get fit and healthy, you’ll want to clean up to avoid getting sick.
Do not limit yourself to crunches to develop your abs. It has been shown that for every 250,000 crunches, only 1 pound of fat is burned. You really are not doing as much exercise as you thought if you are just doing crunches. You must exercise your abs in alternate ways too.
So, in short, exercise is not always fun and easy, but it can be if you approach it with the right attitude each and every day. You should not think you can do it alone. You have already taken the first step towards your new life of fitness.