Give Your Exercise Routine a Spring Cleaning

Every once in a while it is time to Spring clean your exercise routine to rid yourself of the winter blues and get a jump on the upcoming swimsuit season.

Should you jump on a treadmill? Start lifting weights? Join a spin class? Zumba? So many options. Here are some tips for getting ready to work out this spring and for keeping yourself motivated.

Preparing For Your Spring Exercise Routine

First off, it is a great idea to pay your doctor a visit. If you haven’t been active for a while, a checkup with your doctor will give you the okay to begin an exercise program. This is especially important if you’re over 50 or have serious health conditions. There are effective exercises for almost every fitness level so it’s worth taking precautions to keep safe.

This is a good time to Set goals. Formulating clear and realistic goals is a great way to keep yourself motivated. It will also give you a baseline for keeping track of your progress. You may want to lose weight or work your way up to completing a marathon.

A good start is selecting a good pair of shoes. Athletic shoes are one of the most important pieces of exercise attire you can have. Buy shoes that are appropriate for your current activity, whether it’s golf, basketball or running. Replace them as often as needed when they show wear and tear, which is usually every 4-6 months if you run regularly.

Get your equipment organized. You can get a great workout without overspending on good equipment, but you may want to invest in some pieces that will allow to you exercise at home. You could invest in your own recumbent or treadmill, or buy an exercise ball. If you prefer to use free weights, you can do strength training at home even if your space is limited.

Designing Your Spring Exercise Program

Outline a balanced exercise program. A well-rounded workout routine usually includes a mixture of cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. Give yourself a little time to warm up at the start of each session and to cool down when you are finished.

Don’t jump in and start overworking yourself. Work up gradually, and focus on the quality of your efforts. When you’ve mastered good form with some basic exercises, you can increase the length and intensity of your workouts. A sensible approach will help you to avoid injury and remain positive about your progress.

Choose activities that fit with your schedule. For optimum results, you’ll need to work out about 30-60 minutes a day with enough days off for rest and recovery. Organize workouts that fit into your work or leisure time schedule whether it’s before or after work or even fit them into family time and enjoy exercise together.

Sticking to Your Spring Exercise Program

Keep it from getting boring with variety. Keep your workouts interesting by changing up your routines regularly. You could alternate between swimming and playing basketball. Enjoy the convenience of your treadmill on workdays and go running in the park when you have more time on weekend mornings.

Try something new. Rejuvenate your spirits by taking on a new challenge. Sign up for rock climbing classes or dance lessons. Buy a new exercise video or browse through the selection at your local library. Netflix has exercise videos on demand for you to watch instantly.

Put yourself in good company. Get an exercise buddy so you can support each other in pursuing your fitness goals. Sign up for mother and baby exercise classes at your local community center and make some new friends.

Reward yourself. Reward yourself with anything but fattening foods for sticking to your exercise regimen. Buy a new pair of jeans in a smaller size or sample a healthy new snack that you’ve never tasted before.

Have fun. Exercise is a lot easier if you keep it fun and enjoyable. Pick the activities that you have a passion for, and give yourself a reasonable time off when you need it.

Designing a spring exercise routine that works for you will help you look and feel better, and become more fit. Allow the change of seasons to renew your fitness commitment. You can have fun while you improve the way you look and feel.

source https://www.healthy4lifeonline.com/give-your-exercise-routine-a-spring-cleaning/