Most important about fitness apparel. Overall fitness isn’t just about cardio. Although cardio is a major component of weight loss and heart health, it is important to incorporate strength training into your fitness regimen. Strength training builds muscle mass and helps you burn more calories post-workout. Follow these strength-training tips to amp up your workout and get a complete workout.
Apparel
During the back to school months, look out for coupons that you can use at a local sporting goods store in order to purchase new gym apparel, new exercise videos and equipment and new footwear. Not only will you be more excited to workout when the weather gets colder, but you will be saving money on your new items too.
When you are spending a lot of time in your gym attire, a great way to boost your mood and make your workout more effective is to set small and realistic goals, and when you achieve each of them, reward yourself with a new workout apparel item such as a new pair of sneakers, a sweatshirt, thermal running pants or a cute tank top.
Workouts
Set up your weightlifting routine around your fitness goals. If you are trying to create large, bulky muscle you’ll want to do more weight, but with longer rest periods between sets and between workouts. If you are trying to develop lean muscles with high endurance, you want to lift less weight, but do it more often and with shorter rest times.
When you exercise, try exercising with other people. The group dynamic has been shown to grant greater endurance and more energy to the individuals in the group. In effect, you will find yourself working harder and exercising more regularly when others are involved. It is also harder to skip workouts when others know that you are supposed to be exercising.
Equipment
Many people attempt to achieve physical fitness at the gym by lifting weights. If you want to improve your fitness, you only really need six simple exercises to work out all of your muscles. These exercises are pull ups, leg raises, bridges, handstand push ups, regular push ups, and squats.
If you are embarking on a new fitness regimen, then a good pair of shoes should top the list of necessary equipment. Your shoes provide a foundation for your workout. They cushion and support your foot and help you get the most out of whichever exercise you choose to do.
Food
Track everything you do throughout each day. Include everything you eat, drink and do. If you really want to be a completionist, record the weather, too. This can help you reflect on the lows and highs of that particular day. If you slack off on your workout for a couple days, record the reason for this lapse.
Try your best to change the way you eat and drink food, choose healthier methods to get your body into shape. You want to stay away from additives such as high fructose corn syrup, which can be found in a lot of sodas. Your best bet would be to drink water and stay away from sodas and fattening drinks in general.
Obviously, there are many options when it comes to working strength moves into your fitness routine. Keep doing your cardio, but additionally, choose any number of the tips mentioned to keep your muscles strong and prevent injury. Not only will you increase your calorie burn, but you’ll have awesome muscle definition to boot.