Staying in good physical shape is not usually very easy or much fun. That doesn’t diminish the fact that staying fit is an important part of staying healthy. Luckily, it will become easier with time and eventually become second nature to those whom really care about their body. You just need to be willing to commit a bit of time and effort. You could have fun as well.

To attain their fitness goals, many people turn to weight lifting at the gym. While this can help, you really only need six simple exercises to improve fitness. These exercises are the push up, squats, leg raises, pull ups, bridges, and handstand push ups.

If you find a workout regimen you find enjoyable you will be more likely to stick with it. Try and find an activity that you like so it won’t be a hassle to work out.

A great way to get physically fit is by choosing an exercise program that firms and tones the muscles in your body and gives you lots of flexibility. See if any classes are offered in your area.

Keep your workout routines interesting by changing it up occasionally. If you normally use your treadmill for exercise, you can switch things up by going for a run around your neighborhood. There will always be different results achieved between running up hills on a sidewalk and the treadmill. Variety helps your body use more muscles.

Strong thighs are important for preventing knee injury. Avoid the most common injury, which is torn muscles and ligaments along the back of your legs. To protect your knees, you must do exercises for your hamstrings and your quadriceps. Examples of exercises to accomplish this are leg extensions along with leg curls.

While running on a treadmill may have its draw, taking time to run outside has better benefits to you. A great run through a city park or down a country road is both scenic and exhilarating so save the treadmill for inclement weather when getting out is impossible.

When you are doing weight training, start small. Small muscles tire out before the large ones, so use dumbbells before moving on to the larger machines. This allows your small muscles to rest while you work large muscle groups.

When doing any exercise that you need to keep a count of, begin with the target number and count backwards from there. You’ll always have a clear idea of how much longer you have to exercise, and it can be a lot more motivating to count down towards your goal instead of up.

If you are someone who works out, it’s best not to call it working out or exercise. Using those words can make you become less motivated. When you’re talking about exercising, calling it runny or whatever activity you’re doing sounds a lot better.

Fitness is not easy or always fun, but if you develop a program that corresponds to your interests and find a way to remain motivated, you will truly enjoy working out. No one expects you to begin the long journey to a lifetime of fitness all alone. You have help available to you in your family and friends, so what are you waiting for? Get out there and start today.

Use an array of different exercises to keep from getting into a workout rut. As odd as it sounds, this will help you avoid starting a routine in your routine; thus keeping things fresh and lively, always coming back for more. Also, it’s important to switch exercises to get more muscle groups involved to get the maximum benefits from working out.