You do not need to be afraid of the world of fitness. It may bring up horrid images of tough workouts, tons of pushups, or cheesy movies with the chubby kid; but this isn’t what fitness has to mean. Stop thinking of fitness as a negative thing and try it: you will see how fun it is. You will find the tips you need in the article below to achieve exactly that.

Many people try and reach their fitness goals by lifting weights. Really, all that you need to get fit are six exercises: push-ups, pull-ups, leg raises, bridges, handstand push-ups, and squats.

Start with the smaller weight machines and work your way up to the big ones. This helps to build endurance and prepares your muscles for the heavier weights that are to come. Beginning with dumbbells is a great idea. Then move on to working out your larger muscle groups using the bigger machines.

Pay upfront at the clubs that you join to gain extra motivation with your fitness plan. This way, you’ll be more likely to use the gym because of how you’d feel if you don’t use something you have already paid for. This should be done as a final resort, mostly if you have a difficult time forcing yourself to attend.

Your core supports your whole body and needs to be strong. When you core is strong, it is stable and can help you with any exercise you do. The simplest way to strengthen your core muscles is by doing sit-ups. Sit-ups will increase your range of motion. Larger range of motion means a more difficult and rewarding workout.

Treadmills are something many people enjoy but running outside is actually better for you. Treadmills are excellent for saving time and running in the winter, but running on asphalt will give you a better workout.

Endless crunches are not a way for you to obtain a six pack. Exercises that work your abs only strengthen muscles, not burn off belly fat. If your goal is washboard abs, try altering your diet and focusing on cardiovascular exercises.

Complete your weight lifting routine in 30 to 45 minutes. Besides producing cortisol, working out for over an hour actually causes muscle waste. So make sure that you stop lifting weights before an hour has passed.

When working out it is a good idea to count the number of repetitions you need to achieve, but do this by counting backwards from that number. This will allow you to keep track of the number that you are on and also provide more motivation.

Chin-ups can be a difficult exercise, but there are ways to make them easier. Try thinking about them in a different way. Try to think that your elbows are pulling down when you are doing a chin-up. These little mind tricks make the exercise a whole lot easier.

Shoes that fit properly are a great exercise tip. Evenings are the best time to shop for athletic shoes, as your feet get slightly bigger throughout the day. Make sure that you have about half an inch between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Your toes must be able to comfortably wiggle.

Don’t just look at the obvious when you are considering a fitness routine. There are a number of options your have when it comes to exercising. Make sure that you enjoy your routine so as to keep yourself motivated.

Do what you can to not slack off when it comes to working out on weekends. Some people use the weekends for vacation from most responsibilities, but you shouldn’t stop exercising. You need to keep your goals in mind 24/7. If you take the weekend off from weight loss and enjoy rich meals and big desserts with no exercise, you may just be back where you started come Monday morning.

Always sterilize your equipment before you work out. Just imagine all the germs that could have been left on there by the previous user. You’re going to workout and not become sick.

Take some time to think about the advice offered above, and choose the tips and tricks that will work for you. Then, apply those to your routine. This will help you not only live a longer life, but it will also allow you to have a better quality of life.

Keep a fitness diary showing what you did during your day. Make sure you keep a diary of your exercises that you are doing. Pick up a pedometer in order to be able to record your daily mileage, as that is a part of your fitness regime. A written record helps you easily track your progress while working toward your goal.