Getting fit means many different things to many different people, from being able to bench press their own body weight, to running a full length marathon, to just being able to climb the stairs without being out of breath! Being fit makes a vital contribution to our overall health and well-being. It’s something which we must regularly devote time and energy to. Whatever fitness is to you, we hope you find this article helpful and informative.
Here is a fitness tip! If you experience post-workout fatigue, try to avoid taking painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. While these drugs do well for problems like inflammation, they are not very effective after a workout. In fact, some experts warn that using these drugs can actually hinder muscle development. If possible, try and stick to a hot shower and a good stretch to ease your soreness!
A great tip to get fit is to stay active when you get home from work. A lot of people come home from work feeling tired, and make excuses to be lazy. You don’t want to fall into that trap. Go for a walk or meet up with some friends.
One of the most underrated aspects of fitness is a good nights sleep! If you are not well rested how can you ever expect to be motivated and energetic enough for your workout the next day? It also is known by too few individuals that you actually burn calories while sleeping, in fact more so than you do watching television!
If you’re trying to bulk up, start out by going until you can’t go anymore and then having two cups of chocolate milk. Sounds simple, but a group of those just beginning were studied and it was found that training “to failure” caused a weight gain of 5 pounds in 2 months, but only if followed by a supplement.
If you tend to walk a lot, a good rule of thumb in replacing your sneakers or shoes is replacing them every 250-500 miles of walking. Doing so will ensure that you get the most out of your exercise regimen and you won’t hurt your legs by wearing shoes with missing parts or poor support.
Have a timer handy when doing exercises at home. When using an exercise ball it is helpful to time each exercise so you know how long you are in each position. Holding each position for a specified length of time helps you build muscles and reach your fitness goals.
Setting up an exercise area at home or home gym can be an attractive option for those who either don’t have the time, the will, or the money to go to a professional gym. Many exercises can be done in the home and one can still achieve whatever fitness level they desire provided they put in the effort.
One of the biggest excuses not to exercise is that you have things to do. So why not buy a treadmill? Using a treadmill will allow you to get things done while you work. You can do school work, watch TV, go over your work assignments, or even just read a book.
If you are having a hard time getting motivated to map out a comprehensive workout program, try starting with baby steps. Try to incorporate two or three brief (30 minutes) strength-training or aerobic workout sessions every week. While you may not see instant results, studies show that even minor positive changes in a sedentary lifestyle can have long-term gains in terms of overall health.
Clean off any machines at your gym before you start your workout. Other users of the equipment may have left bacteria and, at least, sweat. You are hitting the gym to improve your health, not to end up sick in bed.
One basic tip for fitness is do not overtrain! Sometimes when you have a health or fitness goal you want to achieve, it is tempting to push yourself to your fullest capacity, but this is not healthy. Set regular achievable goals for yourself and results will be well within your reach.
Avoid using the treadmill to warm-up with before you engage in your weight training. Instead, opt for a warm-up that will actually work the muscles that you will be using for lifting the weights. To do a full body warm-up that accomplishes this, use a bar and perform two sets of 10 reps of squats, bench-presses, dead-lifts, etc.
In almost every movie, you see the men with bulging muscles get all the girls. In these movies, while the guys work out, you see them doing simple things like chin-ups. Chin-ups can be a great way to build upper arm strength and sculpt you into a good looking person.
Thers’s just a few ideas that might prove to be very helpful to you. You might not be able to put them all to use, but consistent effort at implementing one or two will certainly give your fitness a boost. Whatever fitness program you have, be dedicated to it, and above all, enjoy!