What to Consider When Starting a Workout Plan

What you eat is such an important part of your health journey, but so is fitness.

Whether you’re a beginner or not, there’s a workout for you. But where do you start? Here are some questions to consider when discovering a workout.

What do you enjoy?

While a workout should be challenging, it should also be motivating.

If you’re someone who loves the outdoors, mountain climbing or outdoor runs may be the right fit for you. But, if you’re not into nature and the outdoors, there are also plenty of indoor workouts you can try.

Same goes for when you work out…if you’re a morning person, a 5 a.m. run may be what best motivates you and starts your day off right. Others may prefer a post-work, nighttime sweat session, and that’s OK too!

If you’re considering joining a gym, consider what sort of amenities it may offer besides the tried and true treadmill or weight machines. If you like to work out alone, it might be best to hit the gym when it's less crowded. If you enjoy group classes, then find a studio with a variety of them and try a few to see what you enjoy. Some prefer more specialized memberships like yoga, barre, or spin studios. It’s all about what is enjoyable and challenging for you.

What are your concerns?

Do you have an injury? Have you had surgery? You can still workout! You may just need to apply some modifications to your movements. And be sure to consult your doctor to make sure you don’t overdo anything or further injure your body.

Also, it may help to work with a trainer to make sure your form and function are good to prevent injury and ensure you see the results you’re hoping for.

What are your goals?

Do you want to tone up? Burn the most fat possible? Increase your endurance? A well-rounded fitness routine is ideal. Even if your primary goal is to burn fat, many make the mistake of only incorporating cardio, but when you add some strength training into the mix, that more toned, lean muscle actually helps burn the fat – making those cardio workouts that much more effective! While you can make cardio your focus, don’t forget to add in a strength training workout or incorporate weights a couple times a week.

The same goes for building muscle. While more isolated, muscle burning movements are what will bulk muscle strength, be sure to get that heart pumping with a quick round of jumping jacks or mountain climbers. But don’t overdo it! While you want to get your heart rate up, you don’t want to overexert yourself (or your muscles) before the hard works begins.

Do you have a particular area you want to work on? Want to tone your triceps? Or work on your abs and core? YouTube is a great place to start for some free exercises for any focus area. There are lots of movements you can incorporate to reach your goals at any skill level.

What’s your current activity level?

You can’t go from zero to 100 in a day. Going too hard too fast in a workout routine can lead to burnout or injury.

If you’re mostly sedentary during the day, start small with a walk around the block, choose a parking space further away from the grocery store, or use the stairs instead of the elevator. Once you’ve started incorporating a few of these small steps into your day, you can build upon it and challenge yourself more and more.

A workout should help burn calories and fat, and you’ll probably work up a sweat. But if you have trouble breathing or feel lightheaded during a workout, scale back and adjust appropriately. Listen to your body and go at a pace that feels right to you; in time you can push yourself as you develop more endurance.

If you've been part of a gym or ever felt a little intimidated, you’re not alone! You can start simple with a walk around the neighborhood with a friend, or try local, outdoor group activities such as a sunrise yoga or hiking some local nature trails.

Here’s a tip for you: Join a local Facebook group to find out about some fun activities to try or start your own and ask others to join.

Are you ready to start your fitness journey? Still not sure where to begin? Take your first step today. Our program may be right for you! It includes nutrition and fitness help without all the gimmicks – Just ReZults!

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