10 Steps to Create a Perfect Fitness Routine ...

By Jennifer

10 Steps to Create a Perfect Fitness Routine ...

You’ve been putting it off and putting it off, making excuses for why you haven’t done it yet, but sweetie, it’s time! Summer’s almost here and we all need to have our new fitness routines down… if you haven’t made your regimen because you don’t quite know how, I can help. Here are 10 simple steps to create a perfect fitness routine, just for you.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1

Set a Goal

What do you want to accomplish with your new fitness routine? Do you want to lose weight, tone up, recover from an injury, or something else? Keep this goal in mind, and talk to your doctor, before you develop your plan?

2

Get the Gear

You’ll need the right gear for your new fitness routine, including the right shoes, sports bra, pants or shorts, and a comfortable top. Most important, of course, are the shoes, which need to be appropriate for your regimen, fit well, and be comfortable. If you need help choosing gear, talk to a pro at a local fitness shop.

3

Start with Cardio

Let’s start with cardio, which focuses on your heart health. You ought to get four 30 to 40 minute sessions of cardio four days per week. Cardio can be anything that gets your heart thumping, and keeps it thumping, for the entire 30 to 40 minutes. You ought to be winded, able to talk in short bursts, but not sing or chat lightly, while you’re exercising. Cardio can include everything from swimming to running to using the elliptical to dancing… if it gets your heart going, it’s cardio!

4

Add Weights

You should also work out with weights 30 to 40 minutes a session for 3 or 4 sessions per week. Don’t worry; you won’t get big, bulgy muscles; you’ll just get toned and strong. You’ll want to work all of your muscle groups during these sessions, including your arms, legs, and core.

5

Add Calisthenics

You ought to also get in a few sessions of calisthenics per week, for about 30 minutes. Jumping rope, crunches, lunges, push-ups… these are all examples of calisthenics, and they’re great for keeping toned.

Famous Quotes

Meaning is not what you start with but what you end up with.

Peter Elbow
6

Add Weight Bearing

Now it’s time to add weight-bearing exercise to your new fitness routine, which can also double as your cardio. Weight bearing exercise should be done 2 or 3 times per week for 30 or 40 minutes, and includes anything you do standing up, like running, jogging, or using the stair-climber.

7

Add Non-weight Bearing

You’ll also want to add 2 or 3 sessions of 30 or 40 minutes of non weight-bearing exercise, which again can double as your cardio. Non weight-bearing exercises are done sitting down, like rowing or biking. Also, because it alters your weight resistance, swimming is considered non weight-bearing exercise.

8

Add Yoga

Want flexibility, tone, balance, better sleep, and stress relief? These are all the benefits of yoga, which could be added to a new fitness routine two or three times per week for a half-hour each session. Combine this with calisthenics for an all-over workout that leaves you winded, a little sore, and a lot happy.

9

Add Something Fun!

You know what’s missing from your new fitness routine? Fun! It’s time to add something fun and interesting, maybe a Zumba or spinning class, or join a soccer team, something you can do with friends. You could also opt to work one-on-one with a trainer, but whatever you choose, make it something you would consider fun, and try to squeeze it in once a week.

10

Set the Schedule

Now that you have all of the pieces of your new fitness routine, it’s time to schedule them. You want to work out four to six days per week, no more than an hour and fifteen minutes at a go, including warm up and cool down. Set a schedule, and stick to it! Then refresh your workout a few times a year to keep it fun and interesting.

See? Creating a new fitness routine isn’t difficult, or scary, or even boring — it’s easy and fun, now that you know what pieces you need! Which of these parts of a new fitness routine are you excited about, and why? What does your fitness regimen look like? Please share!

Top Image Source: pinterest.com

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Great tips, i am struggling to maintain my routine. I have been working out once or twice a week. I need to at least get up to 3 days a week.

I have a problem sticking with it. I have so much going on in my life right now its hard to find time to make it to the gym.

I'm a horseback rider, have been for about 5 years now, and I've always wondered: is riding a weight-bearing exercise? I might sound stupid asking this, but in this article it says weight bearing exercises are ones you do standing up, so I was just wondering. :)

thanks for a great tip for fitness.......

I want to build a butt and I would love to work with heavy weights but I'm fifteen without a car and there's no gym where i live! help!

Related Topics

8 Reasons Why You Need a Workout Buddy ... 7 Reasons to Start Working out in Fall ... 8 Tips for Staying Fit at School ... 9 Key Reasons Not to Miss a Workout ... 7 Most Common Running Injuries and Ways to Avoid Them ... 18 Tips to Help You Stick to Your Workout ... exercise at park 8 Steps to Train Yourself to Run ... 7 Ways to Exercise without Going to the Gym ... 7 Safety Tips for Exercising to Always Remember ...

Popular Now