Fitness. What is it, really? Is it getting up early in the morning to force yourself to go on a long run that leaves you exhausted, gasping for breath, and ready to give up? Too often we avoid the idea of “fitness” because it sounds like something painful and horribly boring. But in truth, fitness can be one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable pastimes that you could ever indulge in. How? This article will help you find out how to take fitness and make it something that you too can enjoy.
Always have a backup plan for your workouts. If you were planning on doing an hour of cardio and strength training, but then can’t get to the gym on time, you’ll have an alternative workout. This way, you don’t waste time wondering which exercises to skip, and you still gain maximum benefit from the time you do have.
An easy way to get the benefits of a stair stepper in your own home without purchasing a stair stepper is to climb up and down the bottom step of a staircase. Increase your speed to make it a cardio workout, or add squats to the stepping motion to make it a strength exercise.
Use the stairs instead of the elevators whenever you can. Stair climbing is a great way to get a little exercise during the day. A few flights of stairs can give you a good workout for your heart and legs. When you do this throughout the day at work, you would be surprised at how much exercise you are able to fit in by the time you leave for home.
Use your workout equipment in an order to see maximum results. The order should be dumbbells first, regular barbells second and machines last. Doing exercises in this order will ensure that you don’t get fatigued too early in your workout, by engaging in the more labor-intensive equipment first. This also works your muscles out, from smaller to larger.
After you workout, you should never take a pill immediately following. Researchers have discovered that taking pills like ibuprofen and acetaminophen weren’t any more effective than a placebo in decreasing muscle soreness after a workout. In fact, these pills can actually lower the rate of your muscle growth if you take them following a workout.
If you are going to use a bench, you should always test it first. If the bench is too hard, it may cause a misalignment in your spine that can weaken your arm. Test the bench by pushing a thumb into the padding. If you can feel the wood underneath the padding, find a better bench to use.
Perhaps you never would have thought that fitness was something you would enjoy. Maybe you were one of those who cringed at the very sound of the word. But, as you have learned from this article, it is something that you can soon come to look forward to an enjoy. Take what you have learned and start applying it to your life. Before long, you will be enjoying every moment of fitness that you can find.