Maybe getting more exercise has been at the top of your to-do list at one time or another—and it’s been sitting there for months (even years) later. That’s not uncommon. Breaking out of a rut or trying to reverse an inactive lifestyle can present some challenging hurdles.
Personal training can empower you to take your fitness to new levels, provide motivation, accountability and a workout plan designed especially for you. Finding the right trainer comes down to a combination of skills, experience and personality.
The word “aerobic” may conjure thoughts of leg warmers, leotards and those intense exercise videos from the eighties, but aerobic exercise is really any activity that gets your heart pumping and burns calories. When done regularly, your body reaps benefits that go far beyond just heart health.
Measuring your target heart rate (THR) is a concrete, numbers-don’t-lie way to sneak a peek inside your body to find out what exercise intensity is right for you. Figuring out your target heart rate can give you a clearer sense of how hard you should push yourself to improve your health and fitness.
Cardio machines are an easy go-to at the gym, especially if you feel comfortable on a certain piece of equipment. But it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and make a beeline for the same treadmill, elliptical or stair climber. Sound familiar? Be careful not to shortchange your workout.
While exercising outdoors in the winter will mean braving the elements, snow and ice offer a range of workout options that burn lots of calories, tone muscles and allow you to take in winter landscapes you only see once a year.
The right workout should leave you feeling pumped up and energized—not in pain. Read on for how to outwit some common workout mistakes that can sap the joy from your exercise routine and make it needlessly uncomfortable. Get ready to fall in love with your workout.
Sometimes squeezing in your usual workout can feel so impossible that you may decide to skip it altogether—but just 20 minutes of exercise can still deliver impressive benefits. Quick workouts can help you tone up, reduce stress and manage weight.
There can be something comforting about repeating one cardio workout routine over and over again. You know what to do and how long it will take you. But it can also eventually leave even the most intentioned exerciser feeling uninspired and uninterested in breaking a sweat.
There is no time like today to start strength training. Need convincing? Resistance workouts deliver powerful health benefits such as increased bone density and improved balance. Regular strength training can also reduce the symptoms of chronic conditions.
A ‘no pain no gain’ approach is actually more likely to land you among the quitters than among the healthy and strong. What will keep you coming back for more is striking a balance between what makes you fit and happy.
Choosing a gym that is kept clean with well-maintained equipment is a good first step to protecting yourself, and there are plenty of things you can do once you’re there to avoid germs and work out safely.
Moving your body with purpose is one of the most important ways you can honor yourself and foster a sense of overall wellbeing. Get motivated to get moving with these wise words.
There are some people who truly enjoy working out, but for others, finding the motivation to exercise can be a little tough. You don’t have to love exercising—but that doesn’t mean that your body doesn’t need it any less.
You may have heard the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation to take at least 10,000 steps a day. If you were asked today, would you know how many steps you’ve taken? Getting closer to that 10,000 steps a day goal is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your health.
If you’ve been hesitant to spend money on a membership but are in a need of a positive change for your body and your mind, consider some of these other—possibly surprising—reasons to join your local gym. Discover so much more than barbells and bodybuilders.
Most of us have marveled at the speed of elite athletes—cyclists, sprinters, swimmers—but what we’re really admiring is their VO2 max—the best indicators of aerobic fitness. It’s what enables them to go so far so fast.
Even if a workout is convenient or effective, it’s hard to stick with it if it doesn’t inspire, excite and motivate you. Different things inspire different people. Find exercise that you’ll not only truly enjoy, but stick with.
While it may be tempting to stick with the tools and machines you already know how to use, many of those funny-looking, what-the-heck-is-that gadgets can deliver some powerful body benefits—and they’re not as intimidating as they look.
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