From boosting energy and strength to reducing anxiety and depression, you probably already know the many benefits of getting active. But pulling ourselves off the couch and incorporating exercise into our daily routine might not be the easiest thing to do.
Planning to start working out or find it difficult to hit the gym? Whatever your reasons, here are four tips to help you get that daily hour of exercise.
Invest in quality home gym equipment
Buying an exercise machine is a great idea to stay active during the colder months – or during a heatwave. And if you’re hoping to save up some cash, you can end your gym membership and start exercising at home.
Depending on how much space you’ve got at home, you can either buy one piece, such as a treadmill or a rowing machine or have a room full of equipment.
Not only will this help with your health and fitness, but over the longer term, it could also help improve your credit score if you decide to purchase these items and repurpose your gym fees to pay off revolving credit.
If you work from home, try to stand up and walk around frequently throughout the day
A sedentary lifestyle comes with a whole host of health concerns. It slows metabolism, causes back problems, impacts your mental health, and is linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, varicose veins, and stiff shoulders – among others.
It’s important if you have a desk job to stand up straight every 30 minutes and stretch your body for three minutes. Even better, go for a short three-minute walk.
Find an exercise you really enjoy
Just because HIIT is the new trend or because your friends go to yoga classes doesn’t mean this is the best exercise for you. You might find yourself happier doing Zumba or Body Jam. Or maybe you’d rather swim.
Also, remember to find a workout that accommodates any health issues you might have. You don’t want to strain a recovering knee or make your asthma worse.
Track the exercise you do
Tracking your workout progress will give you a sense of purpose, and when you complete those 10,000 steps a day, you’ll feel achieved – although walking doesn’t count as exercise.
This will encourage you to set a new, bigger goal, therefore improving your fitness level and helping you to accommodate more active time into your daily routine.
You can get a fitness watch or download a tracker on your phone. And you can always compete with friends and family. Set targets together and see who gets there first.