What Fitness Program Is Right For You?

Researchers, fitness experts and exercise gurus will agree that the best type of fitness program is one that is enjoyable and fun for you. When engaging in a fitness program that is not enjoyable, or results are not seen, many may become discouraged and eventually drop the program.

Recent studies have shown that being sedentary is as dangerous for your health as smoking. We all understand how bad smoking can be for us, but we now know that inactivity can be just as bad for your health. The fitness program that is right for you is the one that you love to do.

Why Is Fitness So Important?

Fitness is important to our bodies as well as our minds. Since they both are so intertwined, one will help the other but, the opposite will happen without exercise. There are so many studies that prove exercise and being fit will lengthen your life and health. Strength training is shown to help avoid osteoporosis and other bone related diseases.

Cardio is also very important to include in your regime. You don’t have to be a marathon runner to get the health benefits of cardio. There are many ways to get good cardio benefits, by walking, biking, swimming or dancing. If you are not a runner, but like some other forms of getting cardio, it will be easier and you will make time to do it.

Should You Do Cardio Or Strength Training?

Studies suggest both cardio and strength training are important for good health and a fit body. Some of the new gyms have modeled their weight loss programs around this understanding of including one with the other. Doing short bursts of cardio and strengthening movements helps with weight loss and overall body fitness.

No matter what your age is, you can fit some kind of cardio and strength training into your schedule. You don’t have to bench press 500 pounds or run several miles on the treadmill. You can actually do cardio and strength training right in your own home. If you are more motivated at home than going to the gym, then your home is the best place to start.

Do You Need To Join A Gym?

Not necessarily. Again, what is important is what works for you. If going to the gym helps you set aside a certain amount of time to workout, then the gym is your best answer. Sometimes, it can be hard to set aside time at home, especially if you have a family. The gym can be set aside as your time. Also, the aid of a coach may be motivating as well.

But if you are not the sort to go to the gym or workout in public, then other options are available. When we start to think fitness, we start to find ways to fit it in. Some tips can be parking your car a distance away from the store, you will have to walk farther but you have some instant cardio. Strength training can be done without weights and with mere resistance from your own body.

How Often Should You Work Out?

There are many different schools of thought in answering this question. Some say cardio is important to do at least five days a week, some say weights should be done every other day and changing the focus areas of the body worked on.

Reviewing your daily schedule may help in finding time to work out or to do some strength training. If you are stuck in an office all day, you can incorporate stretching while in your chair or do some lunges or wall pushups while waiting for the copier.

How Can You Stick To A Fitness Program?

Again, the fitness program that works best for you, and one that you will stick with, is the one that is enjoyable. If you do what is enjoyable, and you see results, you will find it much easier to stick with, rather than trudging to and from the gym.

It is always good to set goals, you have probably heard this way too many times, but goals help us meet them and exceed beyond them. Work out a schedule and see where you can fit in some important fitness time, even if it is 10 or 15 minutes. Results have been seen in these types of fast bursts of exercise. Set your smart phone or tablet to remind you.

How Can You Truly Measure Your Level Of Fitness?

It is always wise to check with your doctor and ask for his advice. If you haven’t exercised in quite some time, he will tell you to start slow and work up until you can do more. Excessive exercise can lead to injuries, so be proud of your small accomplishments, they will lead to more and to a healthier you.