Exercise remains an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. As per research, individuals who work out regularly and engage in any form of exercise live longer and are healthier than individuals who don’t. Exercise not only keeps you physically fit and active, but also mentally happy. Working out releases dopamine, a happy hormone that uplifts your mood. When you work hard to achieve your fitness goals, it is a feeling of accomplishment that makes you feel good about yourself. In short, exercise makes your life healthier, better, and more fulfilling.

If you are inspired by the benefits of exercising regularly and want to build a fitness routine that sticks with you, we are here to help you out. Here are a few tips to build a perfect fitness regimen.

Set Your Intentions and Goals

First things first! Before any workout regimen, you must set your intentions and goals. What is your aim of starting a workout routine? Do you want to gain weight? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to maintain overall fitness? Are you focusing on specific areas of your body?

Ask yourself these questions and find answers to them. When you set the right intention and goal, you will be able to make a dedicated plan and work upon it. Based on your fitness intentions and goals, you can incorporate a routine that works best for you. When you set your fitness goals, be realistic about them. Remember, you cannot hit your target overnight. It requires a lot of patience, dedication, and resilience to get the body of your dreams.

Measure Your Fitness Level

You must measure your fitness level and create a fitness plan accordingly. Check your BMI and use the score as a benchmark against which to measure your progress.

When you work out according to your fitness level, it gives your body enough time to recover. Do not challenge yourself at once. With each week of progress, you can introduce small challenges and work out efficiently to overcome those. At the end of the day, your workout should make you tired, but give you a feeling of fulfilment.

Pick Your Form of Exercise

When it comes to building an efficient workout routine, you need to select your preferred style of exercise. As per experts, adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity per week. For starters, you can begin with light exercises with light weights. As you get used to the routine, you can aim for high-intensity activity each week.

The exercises, such as cardio workouts (cycling, running, swimming, and aerobics), build fitness, endurance, and stamina. On the other hand, strength training workouts like bodyweight and free-weight circuits improve strength and stability. You can combine these two forms on alternate days and create a well-rounded program. Besides this, you can always invite other forms of exercises, such as yoga, dancing, and more, to allow yourself a break from this routine.

Start Easy and then Amp Up

To build a fitness routine that sticks, you must always take baby steps. The ideal number of training days per week isn’t the same for everyone, and varies by your requirements, health, and other factors. As a standard rule, you can aim to work out three days a week as you ease into a new fitness regimen. After getting comfortable with this routine, you can increase the number of days to work out.

Similarly, as you become stronger, you can increase the volume and intensity of your workout routine. For instance, if you haven’t been performing squats with weights, you can introduce some weights and increase the intensity.

Get Used to the Routine

Your workout routine shouldn’t just be a fad. It should be a commitment to achieve your body goals. Even once you have accomplished your fitness goals, you must not turn away from working out. The next goal should be maintaining whatever you have achieved.

Make exercise your habit, such as brushing your teeth or having breakfast. When fitness becomes a part of your routine, you don’t end up parting ways from it.

Track and Celebrate Your Progress

At each point, do not forget to track your progress. You can keep a fitness journal or use an app to record your progress from time to time. This should include data such as how much you run, walk, or lift weights, and what challenges you have been facing.

It takes months to witness the real changes in how you look. Even a pound of weight loss or muscle gain should not be left unrewarded. Celebrate the little wins you have achieved through your hard work and determination. It will always motivate you to work harder.

Takeaway

Building a fitness routine that sticks is no rocket science. All you need to do is determine your goals, understand your fitness levels, create an exercise routine, and stick to it while challenging yourself and overcoming obstacles. Now that you are well-acquainted with this idea, it’s time to take the first step.