Almost everyone can recognize something about their health that they would like to change. Whether it’s lowering blood pressure, strengthening your muscles or having a slimmer waistline, there are always things about our physique and physical health that could be improved. While eating right is a great start, you can’t see any real change to your physical health and wellness without undertaking some kind of personal workout plan as well. So to help those just starting out create a personal workout plan that will fit their lifestyle and abilities, here are three things to think about when creating a workout plan for yourself.
Set Attainable Goals
Before you can really start planning your workout regimen, you’re going to want to set some goals as to what you what to achieve through your exercising efforts. Without some attainable goals attached to your workout plan, it will be easier to lose focus and motivation to continue working hard. The Mayo Clinic recommends having an ultimate goal of testing your physical fitness by participating in an event like a 5K run or signing up for a sporting competition. By doing this, you’ll have something to work toward with a clear deadline, further encouraging you to meet your daily goals so you can easily reach your final goal.
Be Realistic
Once you have your goals in place, it’s time to figure out how you plan to meet those goals. Steve from NerdFitness.com first advises determining what your unique situation is in order to best create a realistic plan for yourself. Your situation includes the amount of time you can commit to working out each day, the type of exercises you’re able to accomplish, the type of equipment you have access to and more. It doesn’t make sense to make a personal workout plan of swimming twice a week for an hour if you don’t have easy access to a pool and can’t spare an hour twice a week for this type of activity, so make sure you’re realistic when considering how to execute your workout plan.
Variety Is the Spice of Exercise
While running each and every day may be the easiest thing for you to do, this may not be the best way for you to reach certain fitness goals. According to Kisar Dhillon, a contributor to Active.com, completing the same workout every day could actually get your body stuck in a physical rut. This means that your strength and endurance will be very attune to the exercise you’ve been doing, but once you step outside that comfort zone, you’ll realize that you don’t have a very well rounded body. To avoid this, add some variety to your workouts. Use a rowing machine one day, run the next, do circuit training after that, and then try yoga. Working different muscles and organs will help you reach your goals much quicker and more effectively.
You don’t have to be a professional fitness guru to create a personal workout plan that will help you reach your physical goals. Use the tips mentioned above to come up with the perfect workout plan for your individual needs.