Determining a suitable exercise routine not only gives you the tools you need for your fitness goals but also ensures you will sustain your exercise program over the long term. Whether your target is to train for a competition or to increase strength and stamina for your everyday life, an appropriate and well-planned exercise routine keeps you on task to meet the goals you set for yourself.
Step 1
Assess your fitness goals. While a well-rounded fitness routine includes cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises, your specific objective may focus more on one area than another. For example, training for a triathlon requires a different exercise set than building muscle for a power-lifting competition.
Step 2
Plan your specific exercises and exercise frequency. For improving general fitness, the American College of Sports Medicine suggests a program including strength-training exercises twice a week and cardio workouts three to five days a week. If, for example, you're training for a 10K race a month from now, determine a weekly schedule of increasingly difficult training runs to prepare you for race day.
Step 3
Incorporate all aspects of fitness into your routine, recommends the American Council on Exercise. Even if your training focuses on one area, such as building muscular strength, adding cardio exercise to your workouts helps keep your heart and lungs in good shape. Additionally, regular stretching improves your flexibility and lowers your risk of joint injury and muscle soreness.
Step 4
Select exercises you find enjoyable. Keeping your fitness routine fun helps you maintain your commitment to improving your health. Switch up your routine from time to time to focus on other areas of your body and to keep your interest level high.
Step 5
Challenge yourself with new exercises and new goals. For instance, once you become comfortable with your regular yoga classes, enroll in a series of power yoga classes to bring yourself to the next level.
Tips and Warnings
- Find a friend with similar interests and goals to share your workout time with and to help keep you motivated. Experiment with exercising at different times of the day to determine your optimal energy levels for working out. Discuss your dietary habits with a nutritionist to make sure you do not gain or lose unwanted weight with your new exercise routine.
- If you are over the age of 35, have compromised health or have not recently been active, consult with your health-care provider prior to beginning a new fitness routine, states the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Things You'll Need
- Workout clothes
- Workout equipment
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