Are you looking to get fit and healthy in the new year? Exercise and a healthy lifestyle are what you should get more often. A lot of people make fitness resolutions every January, but unfortunately, a lot of them never actually follow through. Why is it that so many people fall short when it comes to working out? There are many different reasons, but one of the main ones is probably that they don’t have an effective exercise routine. Lucky for you, we’ll highlight the key elements of an optimized, successful workout routine. By following these tips, you’ll be able to stick to your fitness goals and get in great shape this year.
Functional Movements
Did you know that our bodies are designed to move in certain ways? These are called natural or functional movements. And while we may not realize it, we use these movement patterns daily in our everyday lives. From picking up a book off the ground to squatting down to tie our shoes, these are all examples of functional movements. So what does this have to do with working out?
Well, to have an effective workout routine, focus on functional movements. This means that your exercises should mimic these natural movement patterns. By incorporating functional movements into your workout routine, you’ll not only be able to better target all the different muscle groups in your body, but you’ll also be able to improve your overall mobility and movement.
Compound Exercises
In addition to functional movements, another thing to ensure an effective workout routine is compound exercises. These are exercises that target numerous muscle groups at the same time. One of the top compound exercises is a squat which works both the quads and the glutes. Why are compound exercises so important? Well, for one, they’re very efficient. Since they target multiple muscle groups at once, you can get much more done in less time.
Strength and Endurance Training
When most people think about working out, they usually think about cardiovascular exercises like running or cycling. While these are great for improving cardiovascular health, they’re not the only training you should be doing. It would help if you also focused on strength and endurance training to have a well-rounded workout routine.
Intensity Variation
Last but not least, an effective workout routine couldn’t be completed without varied intensity. This simply means that you should vary the intensity of your workouts. For example, if you’re going for a run, you might start off slow and then pick up the pace as you go. Or if you’re lifting weights, you might do some heavy lifting followed by some lighter sets. By varying the intensity of your workouts, you’ll be able to better target all the different muscle groups in your body and see more results.
So what’s the takeaway from all this? If you want an effective workout routine, ensure you’re incorporating functional movements, compound exercises, strength and endurance training, and varied intensity. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to seeing results in no time. Take your first step now and live a healthy lifestyle.