Being fit offers many different benefits. However, many people don’t know what steps to take to start a fitness program. The information ahead will clue you in on how to begin a simple and effective fitness program.
Plant a garden at your home. People are shocked at how much work gardening really is. Not only do you have to squat when gardening, but you also need to weed and dig. It’s one of several hobbies you can do around that house that can actually help you get in shape.
Keep a fitness diary that records your daily activities. You should write down the food you eat, drinks you consume, and what exercises you do. You should even keep track of what the weather was like. Doing this will help you notice patterns in your workout activity. When you can’t exercise on a day, be sure to record why not.
Put together a workout routine that you enjoy enough to stick to. Make sure your exercise routine is enjoyable, so that working out becomes a treat instead of an ordeal.
Running Outside
Although you may prefer running on a treadmill, you can get better exercise by running outside. Running outside on pavement is better for you, though treadmills are good for the worst weather scenarios.
To increase muscle mass, try doing a larger number of reps at a lighter weight. This works better than fewer reps at a heavier weight. Building muscle mass is more about endurance than the ability to lift more weight. Many heavy lifters use this specific method.
You will be more motivated to get fit if you set personal goals for yourself. It will help you focus your efforts on overcoming your obstacles. Having a goal in place will also work to discourage quitting. It will make you focus more on the ongoing process of fitness, and you will know that you are not done yet.
Need to get more from your workout time? Studies have shown that stretching improves muscle strength by as much as 20%. Stretch between sets; 30 seconds of stretching can make your muscles long and lean and keep you flexible and strong. You can improve your workout with just one stretch.
If you are looking to speed up your strength building, try exercising the same amount but cutting your exercise time by 10%. This results in muscles working harder and gaining greater endurance. For example, if you can do a full body workout in 30 minutes one day, try to do it in 27 minutes the next time you workout.
Chin-ups can be a difficult exercise, but there are ways to make them easier. Try shifting your mindset when performing them. Don’t think about lifting your body up; think about pulling your elbows toward yourself. You’ll be amazed at how easy your chin-ups will be by trying this mind trick.
Push-ups are an oldie-but-goodie for getting the jiggle out of your triceps. A great method to get your triceps toned up in a different way is to turn your hand in 45 degree angles, making sure your fingertips face each other. This targets those difficult to reach triceps that are very hard to exercise.
As this article explained above, you can find a lot of benefits to getting more fit. It will give you better health, a better appearance and you’ll feel better overall. The tips you just read emphasized that getting fit is neither hard nor boring. Apply the tips from the article above, and start feeling trimmer and fitter in no time.