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When you hear people talking about exercise, how do you feel? Some of us love to be active, but for others, even the thought of going for a jog can fill us with dread. Being active doesn’t have to be a chore. If you can muster up the enthusiasm to exercise regularly you’ll notice incredible changes in your physical and mental health. Here are some tips to help you get more out of exercise.
Have fun
Many people avoid exercise because they assume that it’s boring, monotonous and repetitive. We tend to automatically think about running on a treadmill or doing endless squats or lunges when the word exercise is mentioned. In truth, working out doesn’t have to involve going to the gym or running for miles. There are so many ways to get fit, and exercise can be really fun. You can get fit in the great outdoors, join teams or exercise classes and meet new people, or vary your workouts to include activities as diverse as dance, tennis, trampolining, yoga, swimming, military fitness, cycling, kayaking and climbing. When you work out, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do, you can exercise to music and get friends and family involved and you can try a range of different sports and activities. If you’re having fun, you won’t even notice that you’re working up a sweat.
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Set targets
Setting targets is an excellent way to get more out of training sessions and workouts. When you identify goals, try to be ambitious, but make sure your targets are realistic. If you have an end goal in mind, break down this target and try to reach milestones along the way. Take the example of a marathon. It would be virtually impossible to complete a marathon with no experience in running or previous training. Instead of aiming for this goal right from the start, set yourself a goal of completing a 5km run, then a 10km run followed by a half marathon. Celebrate every achievement along the way and keep working towards the final goal.
Boost your confidence with new activewear
When you work out, it’s beneficial to feel confident and comfortable. Investing in new activewear is a fabulous way to increase motivation and make sure you look and feel the part. If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to think about wearing a headband. You’ll also need to consider what kinds of clothing you need for the activity in which you’re participating. Comfortable, light clothing, which enables you to move freely and stretch is ideal for activities, such as yoga and Pilates, while clothing that provides more support is great for high-intensity activities such as sprinting and jumping. You may need layers for outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, climbing and mountain biking. Opt for gym wear and clothing that catches your eye and try on different items to make sure that the fit and quality meet your expectations.
Understand the benefits of exercise
We all know that exercise is good for us, but do you know why having an active lifestyle is so beneficial? Increasing activity levels helps to improve circulation, flexibility, strength and fitness, but crucially, it can also reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening illnesses and boost mental health. Exercise is proven to aid sleep and lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer, and it also makes you feel good. You may find that you feel exhausted after a workout, but regular exercise increases energy levels and produces a natural high. This happens because when you move, your body releases endorphins and the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain increase.
Push yourself
Pushing yourself during an exercise class or a training session will make you feel amazing. As long as you know your limits, and you’re not putting yourself at risk of an injury, you should find that you feel incredible when you finish and you know you’ve tried your best. Always ensure that you take the time to warm up and cool down, make sure your technique is good and give yourself time to rest and recover between workouts. If you feel tired, or your muscles hurt, take a break. Seek medical advice if you have pain.
Exercise is hugely beneficial for mental and physical health. If you’re thinking about starting a new fitness regime, or you’re keen to increase your activity levels, take these tips on board to get more out of every session. Whether you’re going for a gentle jog, you’re doing classes with friends or you’re training in preparation to take on a challenge, there are ways to maximize enjoyment, boost your health and get results.
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