Starting a fitness program might just be one of the best things that you can do for your health. Physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve balance and coordination, and help you lose weight- it can also improve sleep habits and self-esteem. With a personal trainer in Nashville, TN, you can easily start a fitness program in only five steps:
1. Assess your fitness level
Everyone has a rough idea of how fit they are- having said that, it is still important to assess and record baseline fitness scores to set benchmarks against which progress can be measured. It is important to assess the following factors to assess aerobic and muscular fitness:
- Pulse rate
- How long it takes to cover 1 mile or how long it takes to run 1.5 miles
- How many pushups are possible in a given period
- Waist circumference
- Body mass index.
2. Design a fitness regime
While it is easy to say that you will exercise every day, without a solid plan it is not possible to stick to the goals that you set for yourself. It is important to consider your fitness goals-this can be whether you want to lose weight or whether you want to prepare for a marathon or half marathon, and so on. Once you have a plan in place, it is important to start low and progress slowly by building activity into your routine.
3. Assemble your equipment
It is important to start with athletic shoes- ensure that you pick out shoes that are designed for the activity you have in mind. If you’re planning to invest in exercise equipment ensure that you choose something practical, enjoyable, and easy to use. Smart devices for tracking activity such as calories burned or heart rate are also useful.
4. Get started
Once you have your equipment set up, you can begin slowly and build up gradually- ensure that you give yourself plenty of time to warm up and cool down. Break down your exercises into small parts- remember that you don’t have to do everything at once. Be creative by experimenting with variations so that you don’t get bored of following the same routine day in and day out.
5. Monitor progress
Retake your fitness assessment six weeks after you begin your program and again every few months. You may notice that you need to increase the amount of time you spend on exercising to continue improving. If you find that you are losing motivation, set new goals for yourself or try out a new activity such as exercising with a friend or taking an online class at a fitness center closest to you. Starting an exercise program is an important decision- with proper planning and pacing, you can establish a healthy habit that lasts a lifetime.
Fitness in Nashville is just around the corner with a personal trainer in Nashville, TN. Next Level Fitness can help you with all your fitness needs- be sure to get in touch with them right away!
