What To Consider When Choosing A Workout Regimen

 

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The Physical Activity Council estimates that 82.1 million Americans aged at least six years old don't partake in any exercise. However, having an inactive lifestyle has many dire consequences that you should be eager to avoid, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Therefore, it is prudent to consider making exercise a mainstay of your daily life. One of the best ways to achieve this is by developing and following an exercise plan. Below are four factors to consider when developing a practical workout regimen.

Fitness goals

When planning a regimen, it is vital to consider what you hope to achieve with your workout. Muscle toning, weight loss, and overall health improvement are among many people's most common fitness goals. However, these targets will require engaging in unique activities. You can do internet research or consult a trainer to discover the exercises best suited to your fitness goals.

Your fitness level

It is essential to choose a type of exercise that pushes your limits but definitely not to the point where you get discouraged or injured. Consequently, assess where you presently are and determine what is most practical. Perhaps your long-term goal is to go on daily runs, but you haven't jogged in years. In that case, you can start with walking and slowly increase your pace until an easy jog feels comfortable. Your medical history may also determine your fitness for particular workouts, so keep this in mind. For instance, it isn't advisable to do workouts like standing toe touches and sit-ups if you have a history of back pain. You must remember that exercise and back pain should ideally not go hand in hand, so avoiding these workouts is necessary to make your fitness efforts as comfortable as possible.

Activities you enjoy

What you enjoy is perhaps the most vital factor when deciding on an exercise regimen. Indeed, working out should not feel like a chore you must reluctantly persevere through every day. Instead, it would be best if your workout routine is something you genuinely find energizing and enjoyable. After all, you are more likely to stick to an exercise plan you enjoy than the one you don't. You can take up walking, biking, and jogging if you prefer solo workouts, so keep this in mind. On the other hand, consider taking a class or hitting the gym if you enjoy being around others when exercising.

Convenience

It is common knowledge that many Americans' most common exercise excuses revolve around convenience. According to a OnePoll survey on behalf of Freeletics, just 29% of Americans think working out is convenient. Admittedly, it can be challenging to squeeze workouts into a busy schedule, particularly when you consider that the average American has only a few hours of daily free time. Consequently, select a convenient workout that will likely be sustainable in the long run. For example, hiking might be your favorite exercise as a nature lover, but this may be inconvenient if the nearest hiking trail is an hour's drive away. As such, you can go on a walk around your neighborhoods during weekdays and reserve hiking activities for the weekends when there is more free time.

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