Where to Start Your Workout Routine
You’ve probably seen a lot of headlines that say things like “The Only 5 Exercises You Need to Be Doing” or “The Perfect Workout Routine for Beginners.”
Set Goals
Setting a goal for your workout routine is the best way to get started. Having a clear idea of what you want to accomplish will help you craft your routine and keep you motivated. It can also help you to measure success, so you can track your progress over time. When setting goals, it is important to make sure they are realistic and achievable. Once you have set your goals, you can start to plan out your routine.
Establish your “why”
Before your workout journey begins, it’s important to define your “why.” Setting up a workout routine and dedicating time and effort to it can be challenging, so you’ll need motivation that lasts. Ask yourself why you want to start working out? What is the ultimate goal that you want to accomplish and why is this important to you? This clarity will give you the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation you need to stay consistent with your new fitness routine.
Your “why” could be short-term and tactical or a long-term goal that requires significant planning, research, commitment and dedication. The important aspect here is setting clear goals that will keep you driven throughout your fitness journey. Some ideas include working on strength conditioning or improving cardiovascular health or staying active as a way of self-care practice such as releasing stress or improving mental health. Make sure your goals are SMART — Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely — for the best chance at actually following through with them!
Set realistic and achievable goals
Setting realistic and achievable goals is key to any successful workout routine. Unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and disrupt your motivation, but mentally conquering smaller achievable goals can not only boost your confidence but also propel you forward in achieving more advanced objectives.
Start by setting short-term goals that include a target date for completing specific activities and/or reaching an objective. Reassess these goals periodically so you can stay motivated even after hitting a plateau or hitting snags due to external factors (i.e.: injuries). This will put you in line with the longer-term objectives of your workout routine while allowing you the flexibility to adjust your course if needed.
It’s important to note that no two people have the exact same body type, lifestyle and fitness ability level, so look closely at what type of end result makes sense for you as an individual when setting realistic and achievable goals in any workout routine. For example, athletes who perform high-intensity training will require rest days much more often than someone with a lower energy output level or those just starting out on their fitness journey. Additionally, some muscle groups tend to respond differently from others given genetics; those should be taken into consideration too when establishing an effective and safe routine schedule that works best for you as an individual within your fitness capabilities.
Choose a Program
Deciding which program to follow is the first step to starting your workout routine. There are many programs available, depending on your goals, fitness levels, and preferences. Some popular options include bodybuilding, weight loss, HIIT, and CrossFit. It is important to do your research and find the program that works best for you.
Determine your fitness level
Before starting any kind of intense physical activity regimen, it is important to assess your current fitness level. Depending on your individual fitness level, you might be better suited to a certain program than others. Knowing your body’s strength and limitations is the best way to ensure that you make the most of your workout routine—and stay safe while doing it.
There are several ways to determine where you’re at physically and which program will be the best fit for you. Start by gauging your endurance. This can be done by lightly jogging in place for 3 minutes or walking up a few flights of stairs — whatever activity puts you breathless after a few minutes should work. If you can (barely) finish the task without feeling completely exhausted, then chances are that you have some degree of decent stamina already built up in your body; if not, it’s essential that any sort of challenging exercise start off more slowly and gradually increase over time as your body adjusts and grows accustomed to strenuous activity.
Furthermore, an assessment of your flexibility should also take place before any major exercise plan is initiated. This can be done by looking at how far certain muscles can stretch or by seeing how difficult or easy simple poses such as touching one’s toes are to achieve. Lastly, any possible pre-existing injuries must be taken into consideration before working out--if there is anything you believe may cause discomfort or further injury when carrying out physical activity then stopping immediately might prove necessary for safety reasons.
Overall, knowing where you are at currently--in terms of health--should always be done before jumping into anything too rigorous too quickly; being mindful with exercise is incredibly important and adopting the right program suited towards individual needs will ultimately yield the most positive results in terms of well-being..
Choose a program that fits your goals
When starting an exercise program, it’s important to select a program that fits with your individual goals and lifestyle. A good place to start is by asking yourself some questions about what you’re trying to achieve. Do you want to lose weight, build muscle, increase endurance, or all of the above? How much time can you devote each day or week for training? What kind of equipment do you have access to?
Based on these considerations, there are several types of programs available from which you could choose: aerobic activities such as running, swimming or biking; strength training like lifting weights or bodyweight exercises; interval training; and circuit training. Depending on your goals and how much time you are able to allocate for working out, one (or a combination) of these options can provide the best solution for getting in shape.
Aerobic activities offer many detoxifying benefits and are a great way to burn calories quickly. However, it can also be easy to overdo it when starting out so it is important to find an exercise intensity that is sustainable over the long haul. The right amount of aerobic activity should leave you energized and feeling good afterwards.
Strength training is designed to help increase lean body mass while improving muscle power and endurance – especially when combined with interval training or circuit training – both which involve periods of high-intensity exercises punctuated by slow-paced recovery periods . By altering workout difficulty (e.g., reps or amount of weight lifted), your program intensity can also be adjusted which can help keep your routine fresh overall.
Making sure your program meets your individual goals – while being mindful not exceed what your current physical capabilities allow – will ensure that your journey towards physical fitness goes smoothly. With the right plan in place tailored specifically for you , even seemingly daunting tasks such as beginning an exercise regime will soon become manageable!
Research programs and trainers
Researching different fitness programs and trainers can help you decide what might best work for your fitness needs and goals. Ask friends, family, your doctor or other medical or fitness professionals for recommendations on specific trainers, classes or gyms that would suit your needs. You should take the time to visit potential gyms before committing to a program or membership. Almost all gyms offer free trial workouts and will typically allow you to observe the classes in session as well. Remember to keep comfort in mind when searching out a gym; review the largest factor – how comfortable do you feel?
Once you’ve decided on a fitness program and certified fitness trainer, create a plan of action with achievable goals. A certified personal trainer can help develop specific weekly routine that is both manageable and realistic to your lifestyle and physical capabilities. When starting any exercise program it is important to focus on form more than quantity; this means doing the exercises correctly rather than doing as many repetitions as possible. A qualified trainer will ensure correct form throughout all exercises to help reduce chance of injury while producing the best results possible from each workout regimen. It’s also helpful to keep track of your progress during each session. By tracking progress over time an individual can have real quantifiable data on their effort towards reaching their goals.
Create a Schedule
If you want to successfully start a fitness regimen, it’s important that you create a consistent and manageable schedule. A schedule allows you to track your progress and stay motivated, as well as helping to prevent overtraining and injury. Not to mention, it increases your chances of meeting your fitness goals. Once you have a schedule in place, you can start focusing on other important aspects of your workout routine.
Break down your goals into manageable chunks
Creating a workout schedule may seem daunting if you’re feeling overwhelmed or if you don’t know where to start. To make it easier, break down your goals into manageable chunks. Focus on what you are trying to achieve in your fitness journey, and then determine the best way to progress towards that goal.
For example, if your goal is to increase your aerobic endurance and cardiovascular fitness, start by dedicating two to three days a week for anaerobic training, such as short-distance sprints or intervals. Then, incorporate one to two days of steady-state cardio into your schedule and finally add two days of resistance training split between upper- and lower-body exercises.
After estimating the amount of time each session will take and adding resting days, you should have a general outline of what your weekly workouts look like. If there are additional activities that fit within this framework (e.g., yoga, swimming) consider adding them where possible as they can help with both strength and endurance goals. Finally, put everything together in an organized schedule that can be easily tracked and adjusted according to preferences or changes in goals over time. Creating a structured workout routine doesn’t have to be complicated — breaking the steps down into smaller tasks makes it easier for anyone looking for direction on where to begin their fitness journey!
Set aside time for workouts
Creating a schedule for your workouts can be a great way to ensure that you remain consistent with your exercise regimen. Planning out specific days and times to exercise each week helps prevent other commitment from setting in and taking priority over your physical activity goals. Designating times on the calendar will help make sure you stay motivated and diligent in the long-run.
When building a workout schedule, it’s important to make sure you’re realistically committing to a plan that fits into your lifestyle. Setting aside too much time for workouts can easily lead to burnout or missing workouts because of overexertion. Be sure to plan for enough rest days so that your body has time to recover, heal and regenerate in between sessions.
It is recommended that you commit between three and five days per week at first, depending on what type of goals you want to accomplish through exercising. Listed below are some tips for structuring effective workout schedules:
-Schedule specific days/times for workouts ahead of time – early mornings, lunchtime or evenings may work the best.
-Allow at least one full day off from working out each week so you can recover physically, mentally and emotionally
-If possible, try exercising with friends or family members who’ll help hold you accountable
-Vary types of workouts throughout the week (cardio, strength training, stretching etc.)
-Fit shorter workout sessions in on days when there’s less time available
-Stay flexible with changes as needed (weather inclement or unexpected commitments)
Track your progress
Tracking your progress is important to maintain motivation and ensure you’re seeing the results you desire. Measuring your progress requires consistency, since tracking only happens if the same measurements are taken at regular intervals. To track your progress, it’s best to log the details of each workout — including the distance you’ve covered, the number of repetitions, or how much weight you used throughout your workout. It’s also beneficial to log how you felt before and after a session.
Tracking your progress over time can help you identify where changes must be made and if you need to push yourself harder. Visualizing past performance can provide an extra level of motivation — often motivating us more than the promise of results in the future. There are many free apps available that can help track workouts and provide weekly summary reports on physical activity goals achieved. Additionally, most fitness applications have built-in goal setting tools that allow users to set individual goals for any fitness routine and measure successes over time in order to stay motivated.
Find a Workout Space
Finding the right location to start your workout routine is an important part of ensuring a successful fitness journey. Whether you are looking to work out at home or join a gym, it is important to find a space that meets your needs. This section will discuss all the different types of workout spaces that you can take advantage of, including gyms, home gyms, and outdoor spaces.
Consider home workouts
Home workouts can be a great way to get started on your fitness journey — no special equipment or clothing needed! Consider the spaces of your home that can be used for exercise. If you have ample space at home, like a spare room or basement, try setting up a dedicated workout space. Outfitting this space with the appropriate flooring and exercise equipment can help make workouts easier and more enjoyable over time. If you don’t have ample space at home, there are still options – try using stairs in an upstairs hallway for steps exercises, use furniture for pushups or using your bodyweight to do other exercises. Don’t forget to use YouTube videos or fitness apps to supplement any free weight or cardio routines that you do at home – perfect for when you’ve got limited time but want to ensure you’re getting in a good workout.
Look into local gyms and studios
Finding the right workout space is essential to establishing a successful workout routine. Generally, the two most common options are gyms and studios. Gyms are often larger and contain more equipment required for a variety of exercises. On the other hand, studios typically provide tailored classes for specific activities such as yoga, Pilates, dance or barre workouts; therefore, if you have something particular that you want to work on with help from trained instructors, then studios might be the way to go.
Ultimately, it is important to find a balance between convenience and affordability that works best for your lifestyle and budget. It’s an added bonus if the particular gym or studio offers free trial days or community events where you can experience a sample of their services before signing up for a membership. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking into local gyms and studios:
-Research options near your home or office to optimize convenience
-Check what types of equipment they offer
-Inquire about membership fees & discounts
-Look into any additional amenities they provide such as saunas and steam rooms
-Assess their class schedule & class sizes
-Look at social media reviews from previous customers
-Talk with other people who have had experiences at the gym/studio
Find a workout buddy
Having a dedicated workout buddy can help you stay motivated and engaged in your routine. This could be someone you know or even someone you meet in the gym or fitness studio. Having a likeminded individual to share the burden of exercise will help keep you on track to reach your goals, plus it creates an accountability partner who will ensure that both of you show up for sessions!
Your workout buddy should have similar fitness goals as yourself, but it’s not necessary for them to share the exact same routine. Alternating days when one partner does cardio while the other lifts weights, for example, is a great way to stay active and stimulate both cardiovascular and muscle growth.
Additionally, make sure that your chosen workout buddy has enough space for two people to move around comfortably. If either of you are limited on space or equipment, look for group classes instead – many gyms or studios offer classes specifically designed with two or more people in mind. Working out with a friend is a great way to stay accountable and motivated, no matter what kind of exercise you decide to do together!
Stay Motivated
Staying motivated is a key element of any successful workout routine. Keeping a goal in mind, setting realistic expectations, and rewarding yourself are all great ways to stay motivated. Additionally, having an accountability partner is another great way to stay motivated throughout the course of your workout routine. In this section, we’ll be exploring all of these methods, and more, to help you stay motivated on your fitness journey.
Track your progress
Tracking your progress is a great way to stay motivated and get the most out of your workout routine. Tracking your progress not only helps you see where you have been, but also where you are currently and can then plan for better results in the future. It also helps hold yourself accountable so that you can watch as you get closer to reaching your goals.
When developing a tracking system, stick to one that motivates you the most and works for the goals that you have set for yourself. You can monitor activities such as number of workouts per week, intensity, total reps or time spent exercising based on the exercises that are included in your program. You could also keep track of inches lost or gained if muscle-building is part of your overall goal.
Tracking doesn’t need to be complicated and, if done correctly, it shouldn’t add too much extra time to your workout sessions as long as it’s done efficiently before or after each session. Keeping an online spreadsheet dedicated specifically to exercise tracking is an easy way to measure improvement over time with ultimate accuracy. There are also apps that provide graphs of performance and other helpful tools like step counter that can help track progress and give more detailed insight on how each workout session has progressed over the course of weeks, months and even years!
Create a rewards system
Creating a rewards system for yourself can be a great motivation booster when it comes to working out. Start by setting realistic goals and achievable milestones, so that you are able to track your progress and measure success. At each milestone, decide on the reward you will allow yourself, whether it’s a special treat or something more tangible. For example, at every week that goes by, allow yourself to buy a new workout outfit or take a rest day instead of going to the gym. This rewards system can help you stay motivated and remain on track toward your health and wellness goals.
Have an accountability partner
Having an accountability partner helps a lot when you are trying to stay motivated with your workout routine. It is important to trust in the person whose opinion you value and respect since honest feedback will help make sure that your efforts do not go to waste. Your Accountability Partner should be someone who you can reach out to for encouragement, help, and constructive criticism so that your goals will become more achievable. They should also be someone who can hold you accountable by setting realistic goals together and making sure that they are followed through. Having an accountability partner is great to stay motivated as they can help keep you on track with your workouts, monitor progress, cheer success, address any issues or changes as they come up and ultimately provide additional motivation as well as a supportive environment.
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