We all know the physical and mental health benefits of exercising, and with everything going on around us these days, there’s no better time than the present to start making fitness a part of your lifestyle. When you’re new to working out, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and to give up before you’ve really gotten started. Here are some tips to help ease you into exercising.
Set Fitness Goals
Before you even start exercising, think about what you hope to get out of your workout routine. Setting goals will help you decide what kind of exercise is best for reaching them.
Find Exercise That You Enjoy
Finding an exercise that you like takes trial and error, but once you find it, you can look forward to working out and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
Stretch Before You Work Out
Stretching prior to working out helps prevent injuries. You’ll want to do dynamic stretches, which involve active movements where your body goes through a full range of motion. Your warmup should reflect the exercises you plan on doing, but with a lower intensity.
Cool Down After Your Workout
At the end of your workout, do static stretches, which involve holding a stretch for about 30 seconds. This will increase your flexibility and prevent you from feeling sore the next day.
Set a Schedule
Finding the motivation to work out can be difficult, but it’s easier when you stick to a schedule. Over time you’ll be able to tell if morning workouts or evening ones are better for your schedule. Once you figure it out, work out at that time of day every time you exercise.
