When it comes to exercise styles, there is no denying the benefits of cardio-based workouts. After all, it’s just jumping around, right? Wrong.
If you are new to cardio workouts, below are some great tips to help get you started.
Avoid the Common Scenario
- Sitting at work one day you decide that you need to change your lifestyle
- During your lunch break, you visit your local sports store and get yourself a brand new outfit
- Once you return home, you swap sitting on the couch for an afternoon at your local park
- While you are there you run around the field until you can barely stand any longer
- Once you stumble home you explain to everybody how great you feel and that you can’t wait to make this your permanent lifestyle
- The next morning when you try to get out of bed you fall over because your legs hurt so much
- On the way to work you tell anybody who will listen that you will never perform cardio exercises again
Sound familiar?
If your current routine involves nothing more than sitting on the couch, consider this:
- Day #1. Walk around the block three times after dinner.
- Day #2. Walk around the block five times after dinner.
- Day #3. Set a time goal to walk around the block five times.
- Day #4. Try and beat the time you set the day before.
- Day #5. If you feel up to it, include small instances of jogging. Maybe just 30 seconds or so at a time.
- Weekend. Rest.
While it may not seem like much, it will be enough to get your body moving and feeling more active while also ensuring that you don’t injure yourself or lose motivation. Once you are at the end of the week, take the weekend to gauge how you feel and consider increasing the exercises for the next coming weeks.
Wear the Right Gear
You don’t need to wear the latest sports fashion but you don’t need the right gear for the task. For example, if you enjoy jogging and want to turn it into running, grab a smartwool coupon from Groupon Coupons and pick up a pair of running pants. Similarly, if hiking will be your chosen activity then make sure you are wearing the right coat and climate-appropriate attire.
Whatever exercise you choose to do, be sure that you are wearing the right gear for the task.
Stretch It Out
Last, but certainly not least, is the trip to stretch your entire body before and after any type of workout. Stretching your body before a workout is the best way to prepare it for the intensity ahead by loosening any muscles and ligaments. Stretching after your exercise promotes oxygen and blood flow to your muscles which helps to minimize your recovery time and the pain that you will feel the next day.
Cardio exercises are a great way for every to achieve their health and fitness goals. When starting out sure to keep the above tips in mind and, above all else, listen to your body. If you feel like you have had enough for the day, finish and go home. If you need to rehydrate, stop and drink some water. Whatever it is that your body is telling you, be sure that you are listening.