Getting fit can be very difficult, especially if you already have a busy schedule. Most people use this as an excuse not to work out, but this article will show you that you don’t have to spend countless hours at the gym, in order to reach your health and fitness goals.
If you are attempting a dead-lift exercise and want to protect your joints, mainly your knees, you should never max out with the weight you’re lifting. Attempting to lift too much weight will cause you to bounce and jerk upon lifting, and this can easily damage your knees and other joints. Going easy on the weight helps you go easier on the joints.
A really good way to get fit is to join a boxing gym. Boxers are some of the most fit athletes in the world and by joining a boxing gym, you’ll have access to all of the resources they have. Hitting a speed bag is just one of the things you can do.
One tip to live a healthier lifestyle is to make sure you get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep is needed to keep your immune system healthy and control stress. Studies have shown that not getting the proper amount of sleep is linked to obesity.
Keep a journal of what you do each day. Include everything you eat, drink and do. You should also write down what it was like that day. You will see what you need to improve on. If you were unable to exercise for a day or two, then write down the reason why.
If you have a gym membership, use every piece of equipment offered. Try not to use just one or two different exercise machines. Using a variety of machines will not only prove more fun, but you’ll effectively work more parts of your body. Try to learn to use at least a dozen different machines in your gym.
Ride your bicycle with one leg! Using just one leg at a time to propel your bicycle for short distances will help you build up more of your leg muscles. By using one leg both to push down on the pedal and to pull up you will be working more than one set of muscles. Your riding will improve dramatically as well.
Running is a wonderful and effective way to get in shape, but it can also lead to extreme muscle fatigue and exhaustion. For one week out of every two months, cut the average length and intensity of your regular runs in half. This period of rest allows your body to more effectively repair itself and avoid chronic running injuries.
Being fidgety is not always a bad thing. Studies have proven that people who fidget and move around tend to be skinnier then those who are able to sit still for long periods of time. This is because movement and fidgeting will burn calories, and help keep off the unwanted pounds.
Stretch those hamstrings. The muscles at the back of your thighs, commonly called the hamstrings, are some of the most ignored muscles in the body. Tight hamstrings can lead to back problems, poor movement and a higher chance of injuries. Stretch them and enjoy a fuller range of motion for both your hips and lower back.
As the article mentioned, you don’t have to spend all day in the gym working out. A little bit of exercise each day can go a long way in helping you reach your fitness goals. With a little bit of persistence, you should be able to get fit in no time.