Starting a New Fitness Routine: Tips for Making it Work

Starting a new fitness routine can be overwhelming and difficult, but some expert advice will make it much easier. Almost anytime is a good time to get active and take steps toward a healthier lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting 150 minutes of exercise each week in addition to a couple of strength training sessions. This helps people control their weight and prevent the development of health issues. It’s also a good way to build strength, endurance and physical fitness. Getting started doesn’t have to be hard.

 Starting a New Fitness Routine: Tips for Making it Work

One of the top fitness tips that experts give newbies is to start slow. That means not jumping into a complicated or strenuous activity, but instead building the skills from the ground up. People new to cardio can start with walking, then build their way to jogging and then running, for example. When it comes to lifting weights, it’s a good idea to start with a small pound load and add sets and repetitions with time. As the moves get easier and easier, a higher pound load can be used. This helps prevents injuries and keeps progress on track without making things so hard that a person gives up.

It’s also important to take a break. Muscles recover and rebuild during downtime, so many fitness experts suggest a day of rest between strength training sessions. It’s also a good idea to take the day off after an injury or if a person is sick. That way they are able to maximize their workout, while also reducing the risk of damaging their health.

Finally, it’s vital to eat the right foods to fuel a workout. That means a good variety of foods from each food group, which optimizes nutrient intake and ensures a healthy body that is able to perform during exercise. Healthy carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats are of particular importance as they fuel the body and help it recover after exercise.

When starting a new fitness routine, talking to a doctor is recommended by many experts. That’s because a person can get a better idea of what types of exercises are appropriate for their specific health and weight status. Once that is known, the most effective workout can be developed and a person is sure to the get the most out of it.