Are you having a hard time looking for the right workout routine? I have struggled with my weight over the years. I've struggled to find the right workout routine, but I've learned a lot along the way. After trying several things out, I was able to figure out the right one for me. Let me share some advice on choosing a workout routine that’s right for you based on my personal experience.
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| Photo by RDNE Stock project |
Step 1: Choosing the Right Workout Routine For You
Before choosing the right fitness routine for you it is important to know yourself. Ask yourself these questions:
What are your fitness goals?
Knowing what your goals are is important before you choose a routine. What are your fitness goals? Do you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or improve your flexibility? Knowing these factors can help you to know what types of workouts can help you achieve your goals.
What is your current health and fitness level?
You need to be honest about your health and fitness level to know what kind of workout you will start with. This will help you to decide on the type, length of time, and intensity of your workouts. You can't start a new routine that is quick or intense right away. You must start at a level that you can work with and sustain. Once your fitness level has improved, that is the time for you to kick it up a notch or two.
Also, remember to consult your doctor before starting any fitness routine. Your doctor is the best person to consult to know if you are ready for what you have planned. This will help you to know if the workouts that you want are right for you or if you should start with something else.
How much time do you have to work out each week? What time of day do you have more energy?
This also goes with your fitness level. If you are fit, you can work out longer. If not, it is advisable to start with shorter workouts and then move up to longer ones as you go along. Knowing if you are more of a morning or night person would help you know what time of day is best for your workouts.
What kind of workouts do you enjoy doing?
Knowing the options available and the ones that you enjoy would help to choose the right routine for you. You have to do something that can challenge you is good, but you might quit if you don't enjoy it. It should be something that you can look forward to and can motivate you to work out even on days when you don’t feel like it.
There are so many online workout videos with different types of exercises for you to try. You could watch them first and see if you like them. If there are ones that you think you can do and would like to try, you could experiment to see which ones you like best.
Many people prefer to work out alone and others prefer working out with a group. You need to know what you prefer to determine which types of workouts you would enjoy doing.
Do you have fitness equipment? Are you willing to spend money on your fitness routine?
Some people have fitness equipment at home, some don’t. Not having any should not be an excuse. It only means adjusting your workouts depending on your resources.
If you don’t have equipment, bodyweight exercises can take the place of using weights. If you don’t have a mat for floor exercises, use a towel or stick to standing-only workouts.
It doesn’t even matter if you do not have workout clothes. Any outfit that won’t get in your way while you work out would do, especially if you are only working out at home.
If you can afford it, working out at a gym with an instructor has its advantages. Professional instructors have the expertise to come up with a program that is best for you. They can also watch out for you to make sure you are doing the right thing while you work out. The gym would also have equipment that you could use to enhance your routine.
But, if you cannot afford it, there is nothing wrong with working out at home. Many instructors provide effective free videos online that you can use to work out. You can browse and see what types of workouts you like and read the reviews or comments on the videos shared.
Step 2: Committing to a Workout Routine
Once you choose the routine and level of workouts you want to reach your goals, it is time to commit and stick to it. You could have selected the best possible routine, but if you don’t commit to it, then it would all be for nothing.
Mark out a schedule during the week of how often you are going to work out and what time. Make sure that you commit to that schedule as best as you can. While consistency is important, you also have to remember to be forgiving of yourself. If you miss a day, make up for it the following day. Don’t give up because you missed one day, or if you felt that you were not working hard enough.
I’ve heard so many people say that working out to reach our fitness goals is a marathon, not a sprint. Things will not happen fast, and we need to pace ourselves.
Step 3: Tracking Results
We need to be able to track the results of our workouts to see how effective they are. At the same time, we should not let it be the sole factor in deciding if it is effective or not.
Remember to give yourself enough time to let your body react before determining if it works for you. I remember that it took time for me to see results from my workouts. It was a gradual weight loss that took time. Do not be too hard on yourself if you do not get to your fitness goals right away.
Try to keep a workout journal to track your results or use an app. Make sure that you don't obsess too much over it because this is a process that does not get instant results.
Step 4: Switch Things Up
One thing that I’ve learned with my fitness routine is that it is always good to switch things up. Do not do the same thing over and over again. Your body gets used to it and it may not need to work as hard as it did because of it.
Switch exercise routines now and then. It would also help you to feel less bored of working out because you are always trying something new. If you are doing yoga, you can switch to Pilates. If you are doing circuit training, you can switch to Zumba. Or you could stick to the same type of workout but change instructors if you are working out to an online video. If you do bodyweight exercises, try switching to fitness equipment.
You could also go out and take a class or go to the gym instead of doing a home workout. It helps to keep things interesting. It's something that works well for me.
Also, remember to increase the reps and intensity of your workouts once you have gotten used to it. I wasn’t sure back then when I should, but I realized that once it all felt easy, it was time to crank things up a bit.
Step 5: Keep Yourself Accountable
No matter how much you work out you might not get results if you are not committing to this journey in every way. You have to remember to eat right and get enough rest apart from working out. Otherwise, you will not reach your fitness goals no matter how hard you work.
Remember to be conscious of what you eat and drink and how you take care of your body outside of your routine. Remember to have rest days between the heavier, more intense routines. You can still work out but keep things simple and light.
It also helps to have a fitness buddy to help you on your journey. It will keep you honest and you can help support your buddy's fitness journey too!
Workouts I Have Tried
The type of workout that I enjoy the most depends on my mood. Sometimes it can be yoga or pilates, but other days it could be a good cardio workout. If it's the kind of day when I need to feel strong, then strength/weight training is the workout that I want the most. When I'm in the mood for having a little fun, a good dance workout is also a good way to sweat and get fit.
If I want time to think and reflect, going out for a walk for an hour or two with the family has been my workout of choice. It is not only good for the body but for the mind as well.
What does not change for me no matter what workout I do is using a fitness watch. I use it to track my heart rate, time spent, and the calories I’ve burned during the workout. It helps to keep me accountable. Hearing the notification tell me how much time I’ve spent working out keeps me motivated to do more. I also use a fitness app called Sworkit. It has a wide range of workouts that I can choose from and customize so that I can have a variety of workouts in my routine. I’ve been using it for years and I have been very happy with it.
The topic of favorite workouts was also discussed in the Fandesals Podcast. If you understand Tagalog, you may want to listen to this one.
I hope that my list of steps for choosing the right workout routine can help you on your workout journey. If it does help, I would love to know! Leave a message in the comments and tell me about it! Share your own experiences with me today!
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