These day we all need to stay in good shape. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise is one of the best ways to prolong your life and stay active — and it can even have a positive effect on your mood.
However, many people find that they are unsure how to begin a great fitness routine. You may consider joining one of your local health and fitness clubs but be lost once you walk through its doors. But you’re not alone — plenty of people find themselves in this situation, and as a result, they may abandon their workout routines before they’re even established.
If you’re not sure how to begin a workout routine, follow these four health and fitness tips, so this situation doesn’t happen to you:
1. Prepare a workout. Before any workout, it’s important to do some gentle stretching to warm up the body. This is perhaps one of the most universal health and fitness tips you’ll see, and it’s for a very good reason. Stretching can significantly reduce the risk of injury during a subsequent workout. If your sports and health fitness club has a sauna, this is another great way to warm up the body.
2. Find an activity that suits your needs. At a typical health club, there is no shortage of activities to choose from. A typical gym might offer plenty of treadmills and ellipticals for cardio and weights for strength training. Others may offer classes, such as yoga, pilates, and aerobic workouts. Some health clubs even have a specialty and offer squash and tennis for beginners all the way to advanced students for a more moderate to vigorous workout.
3. Stick to a routine. Fitness isn’t a goal that can be achieved overnight. Be sure to find time — preferably three to four days each week — to exercise. Playing tennis, for instance, has numerous benefits if it is done on a regular basis; playing tennis for three to four hours each week can help a person lose up to half a pound per week and can cut the risk of death from health problems in half.
4. Treat yourself every once in a while. Knowing when it’s time to relax is one of the best things you can do for your body. Sometimes a little pampering in a luxury spa can have health benefits. Even 10 minutes of a massage after working out can help your body recover and could reduce inflammation, so you can avoid injury.
For more health and fitness tips, talk to a professional at your health club. By working with a personal trainer, you can receive a personalized workout to give you the best fitness experience.
Have more questions about developing a great fitness routine? Leave a comment below. References.
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