Aim For Shorter, More Intense Workouts
The most common excuse given for not exercising is lack of time. We
all lead busy lives, have demanding jobs and hectic social commitments.
But what if you could burn fat, improve your cardiovascular health and
feel better with just 4 minutes of exercise a day? Surely we could all
manage that.
The fact is that lack of time is no longer a valid excuse for not exercising. As exercise scientists have revealed, shorter more intense workouts can be just as effective, if not more so than longer exercise sessions. In fact some of the world’s leading celebrity personal trainers now recommend short “power workouts” to their clients lasting as little as 4 minutes at a time!
The fact is that lack of time is no longer a valid excuse for not exercising. As exercise scientists have revealed, shorter more intense workouts can be just as effective, if not more so than longer exercise sessions. In fact some of the world’s leading celebrity personal trainers now recommend short “power workouts” to their clients lasting as little as 4 minutes at a time!
These short, intense workouts are based upon the principle of
interval training which can provide many of the benefits of prolonged
exercise but in a fraction of the time. Scientists at McMaster
University in Ontario found that just a few minutes of exercise when
working at one’s maximum capacity produced changes within the muscles
similar to those produced with several hours of prolonged low-intensity
jogging or cycling.
Shorter workouts are also easier to fit into our schedule and don’t
go on long enough for boredom to set in. Evidence shows that we are also
more likely to stick to exercise by keeping each session shorter.
Exercise With Others
Even some of the world’s highest paid sports stars admit to having
days that they would rather not train. On those kind of days its great
to have a workout buddy who can help you find your mojo. Training with
friends or family is a proven way of helping to stay motivated. This is
one of reasons exercise classes have become so popular, from BodyPump to
Zumba there are all sorts of classes you could choose from. Even if you
just want to go for a run, why not go with a friend and run together.
Adding a social element to exercise can really help to keep your
interest levels higher.
Set Yourself Specific Goals
Exercising with no goal is like sailing a boat with no real
destination. Yes the journey can be fun, but where precisely are you
heading? It’s proven that we are likely to stay more motivated
and will stick to exercise more consistently if we have a pre-defined
goal. It may be a weight loss target or perhaps a fitness goal. Try
finding a picture of the kind of body you aspire to and stick this on
the fridge. It’s a reminder to you every day of what you’re working
towards. Set yourself mini-goals along the way to help to keep yourself
focused.
Reward Yourself For Your Exercise Efforts
Remember at school when you got rewarded for good work? Didn’t you feel good? It’s a proven psychological trigger that helps us to want to do well and to continue to push ourselves. So why not promise yourself a reward if you achieve your fitness goals. It could be an item of clothing, a night at the movies or just an afternoon with your feet up. Setting rewards for your actions has been proven to help with exercise adherence.
Vary Your Exercise Routine
We all make time for doing the things we enjoy. That’s just human nature. So why push yourself to run endlessly on a treadmill if you hate doing it! There are so many ways we can get fit from individual pursuits like running, climbing and trekking to team sports like football, tennis and volleyball. Find an activity you will enjoy and one you are likely to stick to and don’t be afraid to try new pursuits. Maybe get your family involved and go cycling together at weekends. By keeping your exercise regime less routine and more varied you will be far more likely to stick with it.
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