When it comes to leading a more fit and active lifestyle, there’s probably something about yourself you think needs improvement. Whether it’s getting faster, stronger or thinner, there’s a goal you’ve probably been keeping in the back of your mind, one that you see yourself achieving in the future but always have difficulty working on now. You may want to build your muscles, increase your speed, shed some pounds or get “lean and mean.” If you stick to a balanced workout plan and healthy lifestyle, chances are you can achieve these things. It’s all about maintaining the right frame of mind and following a balanced routine of exercise and proper diet.
1.) The Exercise
The first thing you need to do is come up with a balanced schedule you can work with and work out to. You should probably aim for the three-to-six times a week workout range, and always remember to alternate your routines. Be sure to devote each day to a specific goal, such as power or speed.
a.) Power:
Building up your power should be focused on primary areas of interest on your body, like arms, chest, back and legs. Your effort should constantly be aimed at increasing your maximum output. Lifting weights and using other methods of resistance training (resistance cords, specified work-out machines, etc.) would be ideal for keeping track of your progress, increasing increments steadily as you progress in your training. In looking at the six-day-a-week workout schedule, you should focus your power exercises to be a day apart (for example, Monday chest and back, Wednesday arms and core, and Friday legs). Be sure to record your progress as you go along, allowing you to increase your maximum output at regular intervals.
b.) Speed:
Increasing your speed will require you to work on both your endurance and total body agility in a regular cycle. You should be working two-to-three times a week in order to meet your overall goals with a cardio-based regimen. Alternate your speed-workout days with your power-workout days to balance your fitness needs for the given week. Be sure to warm up on these days by performing some form of cardio routine (aerobic, for one) before moving on to endurance-based (distance-running) or speed-based exercises (suicide sprints). Build up your levels of difficulty as you progress, meeting your personalized needs along the way.
Note: The Day-off
The steps of the six-day-a-week plan allow you to have one day for relaxation. It’s important that you take advantage of this day, giving your body time it needs to recover, just as alternating workout days does during the week. But just because it’s a resting day doesn’t mean you should be inactive. Doing stretching routines or yoga on this day can add to the overall benefit of your weekly workout and help you avoid injury in the following week.
2.) The Mindset
It’s important to maintain the appropriate mindset when beginning a new exercise or fitness regimen. After all, you are trying to change your life, at least in one aspect. You need to keep yourself on track in order to obtain the best results. Joining a gym can be an effective means of keeping yourself on track; more methods of working out allow for various exercises to be completed in your weekly routines. Also, being in a gym can surround you with like-minded people; you’re all there to reach a goal, and no matter what, that connects you on a certain level. You just need to be able to make the right decisions in order to maintain your mindset; be prepared to make changes to your every-day life to ensure that that happens. Whether it be changing the way you shop, your eating habits, where you hangout, or what you do on a daily basis, make sure you’re doing your best to meet the requirements of your overall fitness goals. If you are, then you’ll meet them.
Adam Johnson is a professional blogger that shares tips and advice on fitness and nutrition. He writes for Fitness 19, a leading fitness center with locations nationwide.