January after January, many people have this one item on the list of New Year’s resolutions. It is often underlined or capitalized as “Start Working Out” but only a handful stay the course, and very few make it to the end of the year. Still, some struggle through and manage to get used to their workout routines. If the latter sounds anything like you, congratulations you are in order! You are committed to one of the best decisions in your life.

Nonetheless, adopting an active lifestyle is never a walk in the park. It requires dedication, in and out of the gym or your workout station. To get the most out of your exercise regimen, you will have to adopt healthy and meaningful lifestyle habits that benefit your exercise efforts. You will also need to quit some stuff. With this having been said, here are some incredibly necessary lifestyle changes you can make for a more fruitful exercise routine.

1. Rethink the Apps You Have On Your Phone

There are thousands if not millions of mobile apps out there that you can download on your phone. You can even develop your own without any app developer skills. However, it is essential to only keep apps that improve your life in one way or another.

While some people spend numerous hours on social and streaming apps, it could be time to rethink your phone’s usage and start spending more time on fitness apps instead. There are a few nutritional and workout apps out there that can help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

A good app will have a personalized training and diet plan that will help you achieve your goals faster. You can look at it as an AI coach as well as a monitoring tool that helps you keep track of your progress and suggests adjustments in your routine. This can be an incredible life change to improve the effectiveness of your workouts.

2. Avoid Processed Foods

We are all guilty of having tight schedules and engaging in fast foods. Perhaps you want to munch on something real quick so you can catch the next bus or be on time for a meeting. Choco cakes, cheesy poofs, and burgers save the day, but one thing is for sure. They can all be deleterious to your workout progress.

If you plan on staying fit and healthy, you will need to ditch processed foods. Clear them off of your pantry and avoid stocking any in your fridge. This helps avoid cravings and temptations that may strike some people from time to time.

3. Proteins for Breakfast

Here’s another dietary change you can make. We have been told over and over again that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In this case, make sure that your plate is filled with amino-acid-rich cereals, milk, and some healthy fats. You can also pair it with some fresh fruit juice for that fine dose of vitamin. This will help keep your body energetic enough to face whatever is thrown your way.

A protein-rich breakfast also ensures your body gets enough proteins for growth and repair, thus benefiting your exercise efforts from the previous day. A protein-rich breakfast will also keep you satiated, so you won’t be snacking unnecessarily throughout the day.

4. Get Enough Sleep and Rest

To function optimally, your body needs enough rest and sleep. Furthermore, a lot of repair and growth in our cells and tissues happens during rest, especially after exercise. Get enough quality sleep every night and ensure your exercise schedule includes a few rest days. This way, your muscles will get enough time to recover and get ready for your next intense session.

On this note, this would mean identifying and ditching stuff that could be deterring you from getting quality rest and sleep. In this case, some lifestyle changes to make could include:

• Avoid staying up late at night
• Cut back on watching too much TV
• Limit your intake of coffee
• Refrain from the obsessive use of tech gadgets
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Quit smoking

5. Get a Workout Partner

To become better at anything, you may need some motivation. A workout partner is the best motivation you can get when you want to exercise more effectively. If you are used to working out alone, this means making some necessary changes so you can accommodate having a workout partner. While at it, be sure to get a partner who shares similar goals to yours. Apart from mutually psyching each other up, your workout partner can also help you keep track of your progress and stay accountable for your fitness life.

They say that change is as good as rest. When it comes to exercise, however, some changes are as good as achieving your health and fitness goals. With the above few points in mind, you know a few things you can do to make your exercises more effective.

Do you ever feel like you’re lethargic for no reason at all, and you have no energy to do anything? Life has become quite sedentary nowadays for pretty much everyone who spends long hours at desks and work from home settings. Our body has a way of having low energy levels when we need it the most. While it happens to the best of us, there are many ways to prevent this. Here are some of the most effective ways to boost your energy level.

Move It

As mentioned earlier, our lifestyles have become quite sedentary. Many of us are working from home due to the pandemic, even at offices, we are chained to our desks. A little movement goes a long way to revitalize the mind and the body. First, you need to add exercise to your lifestyle. But if you can’t go to the gym or go for a regular jog you can do the following to increase your energy level:

• Remember to stretch your body at least twice during a normal day at work/home. Remember the PT routines? or yoga poses? they would help, too. Stretching works instantly and gives your body a boost.
• Try to take out time during your lunch break and take a stroll in the corridor, or around the block, or in your house wherever possible. You can count the steps and keep an average of 10,000 – 18,000 steps per day as a goal. That way, you’ll take a longer route just to reach your target.
• Try to make taking the stairs a habit especially if it’s only a few floors

You Are What You Eat (Or Drink!)

It’s true! Usually, it’s nothing but blood sugar levels that is keeping you down. Sometimes you get instant energy from high sugared foods, but then sometime later you feel drained. To keep your body up and running, you need to keep your diet balanced with fruits, legumes, high-fiber vegetables, and nuts to boost your energy levels in your daily routine.

These foods give you good nutrients that not only increase your energy levels but also keep you healthy. There is another way to get instant energy, which is superfoods: the combinations of nutritious vegetables in a single form developed based on percent daily requirement. These superfoods are available in many forms including green supplement drinks, which are in powdered form and you need just one scoop dissolved in water for the whole day. This way you get all your greens from one source and not only increase energy level but also improve your immune system, digestive system, gut health, and weight loss. 

Is it Time for the Next Meal?

One important thing to remember is when you eat your food. Plan your meals according to your routine. You can snack in between the meals, with fruits, nuts or salads. Do not skip meals as they drain your body of the energy they require during the day. And yes, don’t sleep right after a meal, give your body at least three hours of digestion before you sleep.

Hydrate Yourself

Did you know even a little dehydration may cause fatigue and listlessness? This is because the tiniest cells in our body need water to function properly. So, to maintain your metabolism and energy levels, remember to drink lots of water.

Sleep

Wanna watch just one more episode of your favorite series? Please choose sleep and better health. Get a good 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night for reduced stress.

Speaking of sleep, power naps are great for increasing energy levels. But a word of caution: choose it wisely, if you don’t, you might wake up groggy or might even have trouble sleeping during the night. A trick to it is: taking your coffee and sleeping right after, before the caffeine kicks in,  have your power nap, and you’ll wake up energized.

Take a Digital Break

Yes, away from all your devices like your phone, tablet, laptop, even TV, just you. Create your quiet space, so to say, even if just for 15 minutes. It takes you away from all the distractions, relaxes the mind, and provides a surge in energy.

When you feel like you have no energy, it’s a bad sign, it means your body is telling you to take a break. All the suggestions above are very simple, follow these and your energy will be restored in no time. It all comes down to making lifestyle changes, and it’s important to remember that each change affects the other, so if you make a collective commitment to changing every aspect of your life for the better, you’ll see how much a difference it will make to your energy levels in a big way.

If you want to start a gym in your home, you must consider some factors first. Different types of gyms could be set up in our home. People can research their plan and they have to get into the nitty-gritty of starting a gym in their home and learn more about the whole thing. Let’s take a look at some critical factors you should consider before starting a gym in your home.

Your Motivation

When you make investments in your home gym, you must be motivated to step inside the gym and utilize your new purchase wisely. This is the most essential step when getting a new gym in your home. Money spent on buying equipment that will not be utilized properly is considered a waste of money as this equipment cannot provide you with the results you long for.

Consider the Space Available to Set Up Your Home Gym

One of the top factors you need to consider before setting up your home gym is the space available. You need to make sure the space you have available for setting up your gym is wide enough to accommodate the equipment you intend to purchase. If you live with roommates or your family, you have to consider them too.

Think about how and where you can set up the gym equipment that will be out of children’s reach if you have children. Or you may just have to consider the size of the equipment for safety reasons. Either way, space is an important factor in making this decision.

Consider the Type of Exercise You Do More

If you are all about home fitness, the first thing to consider is the type of exercise you do. As you might have noticed, there are options for every body type and fitness level. Do you like to go running? You need a treadmill or a pair of headphones. Is weight lifting your thing? If it is, then finding the right weight bench should be the priority. Are you more into yoga? Yoga mats also make for great workout gear.

If it’s a little more extreme visual exercise that gets your blood pumping, then get yourself a CrossFit class training guide for your unique exercise routine. Having an idea will help you to buy the right equipment for your workout without breaking the bank.

Your Fitness Goals

One of the integral aspects that you need to consider is the fitness goals that you have. This can be any number of goals including losing weight, toning up, bulking up, or just getting in shape. Whatever it may be, once that goal has been identified, it will help you avoid making a wrong investment. When looking for a home gym, it must cater to your specific fitness needs by providing an environment that can help you achieve your set fitness goals.

The Noise

Most times when people are working out, they like to listen to music. It helps to keep you motivated and it is a form of entertainment while keeping in shape. But before you set up your home gym, you need to consider the people you live with, and in some cases, your neighbors. Will they be okay with the noise? Is there a way you can manage the noise better? You don’t want to inconvenience people because you are trying to stay fit.

Consider the Accessories to Be Incorporated to Your Home Gym

Your selected equipment will not be of much use if you cannot get the needed accessories for it. As such, once you have decided upon the type of equipment needed for your home gym, you need to determine what more is needed to complete your equipment setup. Nowadays, there are many accessories like dumbbells, barbells, power cages/bench presses, and so on.

The Budget

Ah, budget. It all starts here! Your budget will serve as a guiding factor for the type of equipment you will purchase. If your money is tight then, it would be wise to buy just a few pieces of essential equipment if you are starting a home gym. However, just because you do not have much capital does not mean you cannot start home training. You can even start with just bodyweight exercises. But the most important thing is that you start and develop a habit of exercise in your life.

Conclusion

Starting a gym in your home is not an easy task, especially when you don’t have any idea what to do. Well, that’s what these pointers are for. Summer is just around the corner. There is no better time than now, to get in shape.

Most people tend to associate exercise with losing weight, however, exercising has a lot of other health benefits. It is a good idea to keep your body refreshed and moving by regularly exercising. If your body is stiff, it may cause serious problems for you at a later stage. Keeping your joints flexible will ensure good health conditions and help reduce the chances of an injury.

Even everyday tasks such as tying your shoelaces or getting something out from a high cabinet require your body to be flexible. So, you must do everything possible to make your body less stiff. Here are some useful tips to keep your body moving and become more flexible.

1. Warm-Up Your Muscles

It is important that you warm up your muscles before any sort of exercise. Get your muscles to relax and stretch by doing some warm-up exercises. You could try walking on your heels or toes to make your muscles loosen, then stretch. This is a great way to make your body more flexible and is usually done as a prerequisite to exercise.

2. Try Static Stretches

Another way to make your muscles more flexible is to do static stretches. You’re supposed to hold your body in a single position for half a minute or more, this stretches and relaxes your muscles.

Static stretches are best when done after exercising. This is because while exercising, your body muscles are being constantly stretched, and to get back into their original form, these muscles need to be relaxed in a single position. Static stretches, therefore, act as a post-exercise activity that ensures your muscles are relaxed, hence making them more flexible. However, be sure not to do static stretches before exercising because that can decrease your exercise strength by a lot.

3. Stretch Regularly

Doing stretches is the best way to increase your body’s flexibility and keep it mobile and healthy. There are several different stretching exercises you can try to improve flexibility. You can watch tutorials or join a program to learn the best ones. The folks at GMB Fitness demonstrate some great exercises to help make your body more flexible. Here are 7 of the best stretching exercises you can do to improve your flexibility.

i) Standing Hamstring

Stand with your feet a little apart, and put your hands by your sides. Take a deep breath, exhale and lower your head towards the floor. Keep your shoulders and neck completely relaxed. Then move your hands to the back of your legs and stay in that position for a minute or two.

ii) Piriformis Stretch

Sit down and keep your legs extended in front of you. Bend your left leg and cross it over your right. Your left hand should be placed behind your body, such that it’s holding your body upright. Twist your torso slowly to the left side, then stretch it back. Do this for 30 seconds and repeat the same process on your right side.

iii) Triceps Stretch

Kneel on the floor while keeping your feet apart and arms raised above your head. Then, try to touch the middle of your back by bending your elbow. Do this a few times, then switch your arm to the right and repeat.

iv) Butterfly Stretch

Sit on the ground keeping your back stretched and knees bent. Make the soles of your feet face each other and hold your ankles to make your feet stick together. Then lower your body towards your feet as much as you can, and hold the position for a minute or two.

v) Seated Shoulder Squeeze

Sit with your knees bent and placed on the ground together. Clasp both your hands behind your back. Make your shoulder blades come together by squeezing them and lean your head forward towards the ground. Stay in this position for a good 30 seconds then release.

vi) Side Bend Stretch

Sit with your legs folded together and raise your right hand over your head, while keeping your left hand on your right knee. Bend your torso towards your right side, and stretch. Keep this position for about thirty seconds then change sides.

vii) Knee to Chest Stretch

Lie straight on your back with both legs extended. Then pull your right knee towards your chest while keeping your other foot straight and stretched. Make sure your back is firmly placed on the ground. Stay in this position for a minute or two.

4. Try Getting a Massage

If you want to make your muscles relax, opt for a body massage. This is a great way to make your stiff muscles relax and become more flexible. Get an expert to massage deeply into the stiff areas of your body and find stress trigger spots. Upon releasing these spots, your muscles will relax instantly making your body more flexible.

Making your muscles more flexible will make your life way easier. You will feel lighter on your feet, and you won’t be putting pressure on your body as well just to do an exercise. If you had trouble working out in your gym before, getting your body flexible will help you out a lot and will definitely let you enjoy exercising more than ever.

Running is very common and while most people associate running with pain in the feet, knees, and legs, your shoulders and neck can get painful once you are done with your run. While your lower body might do most of the work while running, your upper body contributes a lot as well. Discomfort in the shoulders is often a result of poor posture, but there are other reasons that might contribute to this pain too.

1. Inadequate Stretching

Any form of exercise requires that you loosen up the body through a warm-up session. Stretching your shoulders, back and neck is the best way to get warmed up for a run. Nodding your head and rotating your neck right and left are great ways to stretch the neck as well as the muscles near the shoulders.

Next, move your arms backward and forwards as well as side to side to prepare your joints and muscles for the run. Once you are done running, stretch and massage any muscles that might feel tight or painful.

2. Clenching Your Fists

When you clench your hands or make a fist while running, the tension this action causes travels upwards through your arms to your neck and shoulders. If your shoulders hurt after running, try letting your hands hang at your sides. If you find this hard to do, try holding a loose object which allows your hands to be more relaxed while running.

3. Pumping Your Arms

Appropriate arm motion is important for your running posture and is a great way of maintaining momentum and saving some energy while running. When you move your arms excessively, you end up causing a lot of strain on your shoulders and neck which translates to pain over time.

To prevent these unwanted motions, move your shoulders back and down and hold your arms at 90 degrees at the elbow. When you do this, a smooth motion will occur at the shoulders and not at the elbows thereby reducing strain.

4. Poor Running Form

When running, your body will always follow your eyes. Looking at the ground when running affects the way you hold your neck and shoulders, causing you to bring your shoulders towards your ears, round them, or swing your arms too hard to maintain balance.

These movements can cause rotator cuff injuries over time. The inflammation at the shoulder joints caused by these injuries can get worse when the area is compressed, such as when you are sleeping. If you have shoulder pain that gets worse at night, you should consider changing your mattress. The best mattresses for shoulder pain provide a medium to soft comfort level, which helps reduce compression on the shoulders when sleeping, thereby helping to reduce shoulder pain.

5. Low Back Mobility and Flexibility

There are several reasons why your upper and middle back might not be as flexible and mobile as they should be. Common reasons include sitting throughout the day or not getting enough sleep. When you run with tightness in your upper and middle back, you are a lot more likely to experience shoulder and neck pain.

Stretching, massages and foam rolling help improve flexibility and mobility of the thoracic spine, which reduces tightness in the upper and middle back thereby helping reduce pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders during and after a run.

Although runners expect some aches and pains in their lower body after a run, pain in your shoulders can indicate issues with your running posture or other aspects of your life such as being immobile all day or not having an optimal sleeping posture. Once you are aware of the reasons why you have shoulder pain during or after a run, you can begin taking measures to correct these issues.

Running is one of the easiest exercises anyone can do. It costs almost nothing, yet it can burn a lot of calories in a single lap. It’s as simple as picking up the pace, yet it can strengthen your muscles and bones, especially around the legs.

But the fact that you’re reading this piece right now implies that you’re either skeptical or have no idea where to start. You probably want a closer look at how running can be a boon to overall health. After all, too much of a good thing can be harmful, and running is no exception. Here’s that closer look into this exercise to set the record straight.

Most Calories Burned

No matter how fast you run or how much you weigh, running burns the most calories compared to eleven other common exercises. According to the American Council on Exercise, a 120-lb (54 kg) runner can burn an average of 11.4 calories in one minute of running. The rate increases with bodyweight; a 180-lb (82 kg) runner can burn around 17 calories per minute.

If you can’t run for sustained periods, jogging is another ideal fat burner. Even at a slower speed, a 120-lb jogger can burn 9.3 calories per minute on average, and the rate also increases with weight.

The reason for this comes down to physics, particularly turning potential into kinetic energy. Your body has to use up its fat stores to drive your legs; the faster you go, the more energy that’s needed. It also explains why you need to eat enough to be able to do a lap or two. Without enough potential energy, which is your fat reserves, there won’t be enough kinetic energy to get your legs moving.

But for the record, no one’s telling you to run non-stop (an ancient Greek messenger died this way after running for 42 km without rest). You’d want to take it easy, as slow and steady wins any race. There are exercise programs people can take advantage of to lose weight while sparing them from burnout. You can learn more here about one good example.

Building Muscle Mass

The legs are home to the largest and strongest muscles in the body, namely the quadriceps or quads. They have to be as they’re responsible for keeping you upright amidst Earth’s gravitational forces. But in the process, they suffer from gradual wear and tear, more so when running.

So, how can running build muscle mass when it degrades them? According to researchers from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, any muscle damage triggers satellite cells that initiate repair, initially by putting muscle fibers together. As these cells multiply, they add to the total muscle mass, making them thicker and more robust.

Of course, wear and tear still happen during the process, so the body must build enough muscle to offset the losses. You see athletes who do rigorous training following a carb or protein-heavy diet as these nutrients are raw materials for muscle synthesis. However, you wouldn’t want your body to spend more time eating than running, so you’ll need to eat simpler meals.

The amount of extra muscle you get from running depends on your overall regimen. If it’s part of a high-intensity training program, ten weeks into the regimen can add around 11% of muscle mass to the quads. Considering how dense leg muscles can be, this addition is enormous.

Runner’s High

Medical marijuana has been gaining attention as of late, at least in the West. Singapore, however, still says ‘no’ to the controversial substance, even as it had seen use on an epileptic patient in 2019. The good news is that there’s no need for cannabis for your euphoric fix as running produces the same effect.

Just this February, German researchers found out that ‘runner’s high’ still happens among runners despite hindering their ability to feel joy or delight. They attribute it to the release of two essential chemicals, one of which is endocannabinoids–responds in the same way as when intaking medical marijuana. Then again, who doesn’t feel good after a good workout?

Mental health is just as critical as physical health. With this discovery, it works for people residing in places where cannabis is still illegal. Just do a lap or two to feel better.

Conclusion

There hasn’t been any doubt about the health benefits of running. Countless studies have deemed it a necessary exercise for people from all walks of life. But it pays to know your limits, especially if you’re starting just now. Start small and work your way up to get the best effect.

With nice and warmer weather approaching, many of us start to think about getting in shape, especially after a long winter and a mostly stationary way of life caused by the pandemic. Too much food, too little physical activity, and here we are – setting our mind straight on starting to exercise.

What equipment you choose depends mostly on what kind of activity you will be involved in and where. Therefore, let’s see what tips you can rely on when faced with a dilemma called “right exercise equipment”.

Sportswear and Clothing

To start off, everybody thinks about what they are going to wear, not waiting for a second more to rush to sport and fitness shops to find themselves some trendy sneakers or some groovy sweatsuit.

But, wait a second. Have you thought about what kind of physical activity you will be doing? Maybe there is not only one – maybe you will go running in the morning and visit the gym in the evening? What if you take on swimming and later on choose biking? On the other hand, is it possible that you don’t need all these different sportswear if, for example, you participate in similar exercises, like gym and fitness, or tennis and jogging?

Sure, exercise clothing is very important but you should consider choosing and getting a couple of multifunctional or diverse pieces of sportswear that can be used in different activities. Those could be CrossFit shorts for men, sports leggings for women, sweatshirts made of breathable fabric, or good old white cotton T-shirts. When you find the right items, you will also find the right feel of working out, as well as your boosted mood and confidence.

Budget

Having a couple of reliable and professional pieces of sportswear isn’t just easier to keep track of, but it affects your budget as well. If you’re on the hunt for quality sportswear, you should know that investing in the right pieces that are durable, fitting, and of a certain brand – is always worth paying a little extra because they pay themselves off in the long run.

The same goes with any other equipment – entrust your money to a couple of devices, personal gym gears, or technological gadgets. Why would you buy multiple devices for each of the activities, when you can use the same for many others – biometrical clocks can be useful on many occasions, pair of sports headphones also.

Choosing the right machinery should always be based on some kind of research and personal fit, not on the ads you see online or following the trends. Generally, advertisers and vendors will say anything to sell their product but have in mind that you would want to avoid purchasing very cheap equipment as well.

Types of Exercises

Choosing the right exercising equipment cannot pass without deciding what type of workout you want for yourself so make sure you know your goal in advance.

●     Aerobic or Fitness

These types of exercises have many health benefits and if you wish to lose weight, increase stamina and boost metabolism, you should consider the equipment that follows your heart rate, for example. What you wear can be very important here – this sportswear needs to support your core, give you all needed flexibility, and help with perspiration.

●     Weight-Bearing

On the other hand, if you wish to develop muscles and tone certain areas of your body, you would go for more muscle-building exercises and equipment – a solid set of weights, hand strips and protectors, core fasteners.

Most people actually combine both types of exercises since it is proven to be more effective and gives results quickly. Whatever your choice is, it is important to consider the purpose of the exercises as this will help you decide which equipment you need and why.

Place and Location

Lastly, another thing to take into consideration is the place where exercises will take place. If we are talking about a closed area like a gym or your home, you won’t need sportswear for outside, for example. You won’t even need sneakers, for that matter. If you’re exercising from home, having a treadmill would be beneficial, a good mat or stepper, comfortable clothes.

Contrarily, if we’re talking about active sports that require being outside – prepare to have an extra set of clothing as rain, mud, or any other outside factor might affect the frequency of shifting. You might need waterproof shoes and sweatshirts, a wind jacket…

Have in mind that, with outside activeness, what you have on you is very important as there are certain injuries that are caused by improper clothing or accessories.

So, whatever the activity, location, or budget, you only need to pay attention to the nature of your exercising, do a little bit of research, do try these pieces of equipment before purchasing, and make sure they fit you well. Your body and motivation will thank you for it.

No need for an acrimonious debate over the importance of engaging in regular physical fitness activities. Yes, all excuses for not actively participating in daily or weekly (at worst) fitness procedures are just redundant.

As a woman in a fast-paced world with countless responsibilities at home, at work, and in social gatherings, there is nominal time to closely monitor fitness. However, if you rank fitness higher on your daily work priority list, there may be a chance you’d pay closer attention and ultimately get back in shape.

Daily or weekly exercise is the assured way to efficiently take on tasks without getting quickly stressed out. Plus you’d not even know how long you’ve been working and you won’t have those habitual back pains or leg pains if you acquiesce to regular fitness activities.

Start now: You’re just in time to build back that desired shape

Engaging in regular physical fitness activities like jogging and running will push up your health status and help you live a longer hospital-free life.

Twenty minutes of workout a day will work wonders. You can practice them right in the comfort of your home without getting any special tools like those at your regular gym center.

For such home exercises, the only material you may need to get is a yoga mat. Yoga mats are best to use when engaging in non-locomotive sports like push-ups, planks, squats, and crunches. That is the only item you might need to get for your home workout program. Quality yoga mats like the Australian yoga mats have sticky cushions that help to protect the joints and other body parts. You can’t do without them.

Add the following exercises to your daily home workout schedule.

●     Jumping Jacks

This workout is a perfect Monday morning choice. Two minutes of jumping jack will relax tensed muscles and increase oxygen flow throughout the body. It will also burn out some fat, give you some stamina and increase your flexibility.

You’re not to miss a day once you get started, and you may decide to lengthen the workout time as you gain mastery and begin having fun.

Here are the steps:

• Have a glass of water or two before you begin.
• Take a deep breath. Hold for 3 seconds. Then, release. Repeat this procedure five times.
• Do some warm-ups; you can walk or jog on a spot in your bedroom for a minute.
• Now, bring your feet close together and straighten up your upper body with hands at your sides.
• Raise your arms above your head and spread your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Jump now and when you land, be sure your feet are close together again.
• Repeat up to ten times at least before going to the next workout

●     Push up

Let this come right after your jumping jack. It is intended to strengthen your shoulders, chest, triceps, thighs, and abdominal muscles. It is a must-do workout procedure.

To get started:

• Lie face down on your mat.
• Next, raise your upper body with the support of your hands.
• Make sure your palms are flat on the ground or rolled into a fist.
• Also, your arms should be a little outside your shoulders and straight.
• Stretch out your legs with your lower body resting on your toes in the plank position.
• Lower your body gradually while bending your elbows until the chest gets near to the floor. Never allow your chest to touch the floor.
• Gradually raise your upper body again with your arms straight as in the initial position
• Repeat at least five times.

●     Squats

Following with a squat is essential to boost your digestion and improve blood circulation as you get into a rather busy day. It tones up your thighs and hips while strengthening your buttocks.

There are several squat procedures you can follow. But any squat exercise should have these steps:

• Keep your shoulders and chest up
• Straighten your back and spread your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Bend your knees and false-sit on a chair. (False-sitting means you pretend to sit on a chair, but there must be no chair around)
• Make sure your back remains straight and your eyes focus on the wall in your front. Never look to the floor.
• Slowly come back to the original standing position.
• Repeat this procedure at least 10 times.

●     Plank

Planking is similar to push-ups. But, it is relatively easier and you don’t have to bend and straighten your elbows from time to time. It is a great way to strengthen your abdomen and practically your entire body.

Even if you’ve never done any sport in a very long time, you can still start with the workouts listed here. You’ll find they will improve your overall health and physique once you’re consistent with them. by these easy exercises daily. Consult your doctor for advice before beginning any workout if you have underlying health issues.

Furthermore, always eat healthily and exercise regularly to stay active and live longer.

Staying fit and maintaining a good body is not only essential for healthy living but also essential to boost one’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Many people complain of stubborn fat and obesity, but they are unwilling to do the needful and pay attention to their bodies.

Maintaining a fit and healthy body requires some effort and consistency. A healthy dietary plan, regular workout, and quality sleep are good ways to achieve fitness success. If you have been admiring others with attractive and athletic body build but do not know how to achieve yours, start your own fitness journey now.

1. Exercise Daily

Integrating at least 30 minutes of daily exercise as part of your daily activity is an effective way to achieve fitness success. Daily workout routines such as jogging, running, swimming, or even strolling will help work up your muscles and burn unhealthy calories. You do not have to do too much to maintain a good physique, so busy work schedules are not an excuse to stay overweight.

If your job requires spending long hours in offices, it will help to consider buying fitness-inspired office furniture such as a cycling desk, yoga desk, desk bikes, and many others. Or you can find an office with everything already prepared for you and your colleagues. The best way to find a great office is to use Osdoro. There are plenty of options waiting for you, tons of offices situated near gyms, which will definitely address your fitness concerns.

2. Workout With A Fitness Trainer

If you need motivation and encouragement to keep you consistent with daily fitness workouts, you should seek a fitness trainer’s service. A fitness trainer will recommend the best workouts and be your inspiration and motivation to achieve a successful fitness goal. Therefore, It is crucial to discuss your fitness goals with your trainer. Also, you and your instructor must come up with a flexible training session that will not interrupt your other busy activities. Making sure you never miss your agreed fitness session is crucial for your fitness success.

3. Healthy Diet

Food intake is another major determinant of a healthy lifestyle. If you want to maintain a fit body, you must be wary of the kind of foods you consume. No matter how your stomach tempts you to take candy and sweets, you must train your mind to resist such foods.

Sugary foods or foods containing high cholesterol and unhealthy fat are harmful to the body. Vegetables and fruits are the best to include in your diet when getting in shape. Eating green vegetables such as broccoli and green beans helps keep the digestive system clean, while fruits like apples, almonds, berries are a good source of vitamins. A healthy diet is an essential factor in fitness success.

4. Get Quality Sleep

Quality sleep helps the body relax well and perform better throughout the day. Making sure to get about 6 to 8 hours of sleep every day is essential to achieve fitness success.

Studies have shown that inadequate sleep can make one gain weight excessively. Therefore, you should never compromise getting quality sleep for any reason. If you happen to feel stressed when you return home from work, you should try taking a nap by all means. About half an hour nap is enough to prevent you from staying up at night.

When you work out, do you have the specific gear that helps you perform your best? There are various exercises to do at the gym, outdoors, or even at home. But, there’s one thing that they all have in common, and that’s the type of gym gear you wear. Workout routines require you to have the freedom of movement. Simultaneously, they must also protect you from injury and the elements. If you want to get into some serious physical activity, the following should be in your fitness bag: 

1. Squat Shoes

Women who weightlift or power lift are utilizing squats to tone, strengthen, and enhance glutes. While the benefits are there, some athletes are making the mistake of wearing just about any kind of shoes to perform squats. But, squats can be dangerous without the right kind of protection squat shoes give your ankles. Once you put on a pair of squat shoes for women, you’ll realize that your feet feel more stable and protected because of their cushioning. They also have raised heels for straighter squats. Squat shoes are worth the investment if you value substance just as much as you do style. 

2. Smartwatch

Smartwatches are not just for tracking time anymore. You can even track the steps you make, be reminded to drink your glass of water, and monitor your sleep. It has features that can help you manage your health and wellness. Integrate it with your smartphone, and you can answer calls via Bluetooth. There are many downloadable apps that you can pair with it, depending on your operating system. 

Among all the gym gears that you need while exercising, a smartwatch is helpful in monitoring your heart rate. You can examine and ensure that you are not overdoing it. Also, it helps to monitor pulse rate and calories.

3. Gym Clothing

Just like squat shoes, you must wear the right workout clothes. They may inspire you to work out because proper gym clothes should complement your body and give you protection. In general, workout clothes should be comfortable so that you can move quickly. The fabric should also wick moisture and keep you cool, especially if you’re into Pilates and yoga. If you’re into cycling, avoid wide-legged pants to keep them from tangling with the pedals. Remember also to dress appropriately for the weather. Loose and moisture-wicking clothes are for summer. Same when it’s winter, but layer your clothing so that you can easily remove them. 

4. Reusable Water Bottle

Proper hydration is essential in fitness and sports. You need up to 6 ounces every 15-20 minutes. You may be wondering what kind of water bottle you should be using. The type of water bottle you need depends on the activity you’re pursuing. Reusable insulated water bottles come with certain features, such as keeping the water colder for an extended period. Others have advanced designs, such as utilizing LED to purify water. Whatever you choose, it should keep your thirst quenched for the duration of your workout.  

5. Workout Towel

Workout towels keep you and other gym-goers protected. The best gym towels are absorbent and quickly absorb your sweat instead of letting you transfer germs onto the equipment. It keeps you cool and helps you avoid clogging your pores that eventually leads to pimples. The best towels are made of microfiber, bamboo, linen, and cotton-polyester. 

6. Compression Sleeves

Working out makes you susceptible to injuries and pain. You can lessen the likelihood of aches and pains by wearing compressions sleeves. You can wear multiple sleeves for your arms and legs, and the coverage differs as well. Compression garments compress areas of the body and prevent the accumulation of blood in areas the sleeve covers. It may help retain the natural flow and route of blood to the heart while you exercise. The pressure or compression also varies, depending on the size of the sleeves.  

7. Headphones

If you love working out with the music on, a pair of convenient earbuds or oversized headphones paired with your mobile device can help with motivation. Listening to your favorite upbeat tunes may help push you to do an extra pushup or lap on the treadmill. When you feel like your energy is getting low, try changing into another upbeat genre. Move along the bats to invigorate yourself. Good quality earbuds or headphones must be sweatproof apart from having decent sound quality. 

Conclusion

Properly working out also means bringing the right items wherever you want to work out. Exercising is good for the body, but the mentioned gear will help you perform and feel your best. Always look for high-quality and affordable gear that is not just long-lasting, but will help you benefit the most from your workouts.