Do you want to know the secret to turning exercise into a lifelong habit? Fitness experts and workout enthusiasts swear by these top 12 workout tips that will help you stay motivated to stay in shape:
12. Set a SMART fitness goal.
SMART is a goal-setting concept created by Peter Drucker and is an acronym for a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal. In your approach towards a healthier lifestyle, defining your fitness goal is key to staying motivated to exercise regularly.
For instance, instead of just saying “I want to lose weight,” you should say “I want to drop ten pounds in six months.”
11. Have a fitness expert help you get started.
If you have been living a sedentary lifestyle for quite some time now, it is highly recommended that you consult a professional to help you create a safe and efficient exercise routine that best suits you. You can easily contact one at a local gym or through your own network.
10. Aim for consistency over perfection.
There is no point in doing your absolute best during a workout session if you exercise sporadically. Start small and then gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. Remember that there is no such thing as a deadline to exercise.
9. Follow an efficient exercise program.
According to a survey conducted by the American Council on Exercise, personal trainers generally recommend 20 minutes of strength training, 1 hour of cardio, or at the very least, interval training, as the top three best exercise programs to follow.
8. Find a workout you actually love.
If you prefer to dance instead of run, then by all means do so. If you prefer yoga over lifting weight at the gym, then there is definitely nothing wrong with focusing on it instead. Do what makes you happy, literally.
7. Match your diet with your exercise program.
Your food is your fuel, so in order to make the most out of your workout, it is logical to ensure that you are fueling up in the right way. Your fitness goal is key to determining the right type of diet for your workout.
For example, if your goal is to lose weight, then you need to eat fewer calories per day while pairing it with cardio to achieve it in the most efficient way.
On the other hand, if your goal is to build muscle, then you need to eat more calories per day to enable your body to develop muscle tissue.
6. Perfect the form.
Every exercise has a perfect “form” or technique that you can strive to achieve. Having the perfect form would not just make you look better as you perform, but also significantly reduce your risk of injury.
5. Record your progress.
There is nothing more inspiring than to see how well you are doing each step of the way. Try not to record your progress in terms of body measurements, though, as this will take a while. Instead, keep track of how much stronger, faster, and resistant you are becoming.
4. Never skip warm-ups and cool-downs.
To prevent injury and DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness, you need to do warm-ups right before each workout session, and cool down immediately after.
3. Push yourself just a bit over your limit.
The key to getting better and seeing results in the most efficient way is to push harder each time. So, the next time you push yourself to do a hundred push-ups, aim for at least one more after the hundredth.
2. Join a fitness community.
You do not have to be a member of an exclusive gym club to enjoy the company of fellow workout enthusiasts. There are plenty of ways to connect with them and engage in a bit of friendly competition to keep you motivated.
1. Constantly find ways to motivate yourself.
Find out what inspires you, such as an episode from an action-packed television program such as Ninja Warrior, a pumped-up dance video on YouTube, or clips of your favorite athlete’s best performances. Then, on days when you do not feel like working out, watch it to change your mind.
Now that you know about these top 12 workout tips, the only thing left for you to do is put them all into action. Start with what you already have because many of the world’s best athletes started training right within the comforts of their own home.
So, try not to overthink the idea of becoming fit and just start now!
