Building movement into your weekly routine and making it a regular occurrence can be challenging but full of reward. Committing to doing something on a daily/weekly basis can be so beneficial for many reasons. Doing something “challenging” can help you both physically and mentally and will often have an effect your work, social and family life. Finding something you enjoy can be key to consistency being far less likely to do something you dislike over and over. We have included some of our best tips below on how to find something that works for you and how to make exercise part of your routine.
Other strategies include, exercising with friends or family and finding a time of day that works for you. For example if you are a morning person, it’s likely that exercising first thing in the morning will work best for you. It can also be beneficial to vary the types of exercise you are doing so that it doesn’t become overly repetitive and you are getting full body benefits.
Movement benefits your mental health
Not only does exercise have brilliant benefits for physical health, there are numerous ways it will positively impact your mental health. These include:
- Improved self esteem
- Self confidence
- Reduction in stress
- Improved mood (alleviating depression and anxiety).
- Better sleep
- Better focus and concentration
Make it work for you
It’s really important to make your exercise habits work for you. If you are a member of a gym or tennis club an hours drive away, chances are you won’t go very often so joining a club that is convenient is really important. Reducing barriers can be hugely important to a routine. If you decide early morning classes or a bike ride are they best option for you, get prepared in advance. Lay out your clothes the night before and prepare any other kit you will need, you are then more likely to commit to exercising. Also try and find exercise you enjoy! There are so many different forms of sport and exercise. Find one that works for you.
Workout with friends
Working out with friends is not only a brilliant way to commit to exercise but it can also be great fun. Making a commitment to someone else means you are more likely to follow through with the plans particularly if you are exercising first thing in the morning or after a long day at work. The fun and laughter you can have training with a friend will also mean you are more likely to repeat the experience.
Start small
Set yourself realistic goals for exercise at the outset. You can increase the number of times a week you work out and the duration once you have established a good routine. Try to avoid that long run because your motivation is high that leads to being sore for a week.
Prioritise good sleep
As I mentioned earlier, exercise helps promote good sleep but it’s also important to get enough sleep so that you have the energy and motivation to exercise. Make sure the place where you sleep is a relaxing and restful environment, away from bright lights and technology. Allow yourself time to have sufficient sleep for your body and this may vary significantly from person to person. Give yourself time to wind down from your day before going to sleep (eg time away from your screens).
Don’t compare yourself to others
There will always be people who are stronger, fitter and faster than you. There will be people that exercise more than you but try not to compare yourself to them. Focus on achieving your goals and as you improve try and reflect on the gains you have made. Compare yourself to your yourself and aim for realistic improvements.
Best exercise for time efficiency
Many people are short on time and therefore want to exercise effectively in the shortest amount of time possible. EMS (Electro Muscle Stimulation) is brilliant for those that are time poor with a 20 minute EMS session being the equivalent to 90 minutes in the gym. EMS sessions can be undertaken 1-1 or 1-2 so you have the option to train with a friend or family member. A qualified instructor will train you, making sure that you achieve the most out of your session.
Fast Track EMS
We are a small studio based in Twyford, just outside Winchester. We offer 1-1 and 1-2 EMS, Pilates and personal training sessions which can be done at our studio, outside in local parks or we can train you in your own home. If you are interested in finding out more about what we do, or booking a free trial, we would love to hear from you: https://www.fasttrackfitness.net/contact-us/
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