Keeping your body fit is an important part of your overall health. Fitness is such a broad topic. Because of this, it can be difficult to know how to begin. The following article shares some great ideas you can use when on your fitness journey.

Proper form when walking is vital to reduce injury when working out. As you walk, stand up straight with your shoulders behind you, as if you were being lifted by an invisible string. Your elbows should be at your side, making a 90 degree angle. ideally the arms should be the direct opposite of your foot. Make sure that you are walking heal to toe.

When riding a bike, focus on keeping your pace around 80 to 110 RPM. This reduces the strain and fatigue of your knee while you ride faster. To determine the pace you’re cycling, in ten seconds count how many times you see your right leg come up, and then multiply it by six. This is the RPM you need to aim for.

If you are still short of your fitness goals, give yourself a confidence boost on your quest to get fit: buy a new clothing item to work out in. Even one new article of clothing gives you something to fashion for your friends and maybe encourage a new trip to the gym.

When doing reps, count backwards from the number you’re working toward. Counting down lets you keep track of how many reps are left, and it can be more motivating than counting the other direction.

Start with a clean workout area by sanitizing the equipment before you start. The previous user may have left behind a variety of germs. You go to the gym in order to get healthier, not sick!

Stretch the targeted muscles in between sets. Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds. When people stretch between sets, it can increase their strength. Properly stretching can also help you avoid common exercise related injuries.

If you are using weights, begin with smaller weights first. Smaller muscles will tire long before your larger ones will, so you’ll want to start with barbells before you move onto the larger machines. By the time you are ready to exercise large muscle groups, the smaller muscles can rest.

Training like Kenyan runners can help you increase not only your speed, but also your endurance. In Kenya, they start slow for the first third of their run. You have to slowly increase your pace during your run. During the middle, run at your usual pace. Run at a faster pace in the last third. If this is done regularly, you will see the difference in your endurance and speed.

Your run should consist of three parts. Start slowly, and then work up to your normal pace. During in the last third, try running quicker. If you follow this tip you will boost your endurance and increase distance.

The tips and advice offered above were designed to give you an easy head start into the world of fitness. This knowledge provides a sound basis for continued learning and expansion of your fitness education and abilities. You can have better health longer if you practice these tips regularly.

Build your thigh muscles to protect your knees. Tearing a knee ligament is among the most common injuries in sports. Prevent this injury by exercising your quadriceps and hamstrings. Leg extensions and curls are a couple of great exercises to work these muscles.