Be Smart When Ramping Up Your Workout Routine

Be Smart When Ramping Up Your Workout Routine

Be Smart When Ramping Up Your Workout Routine

Are you bored or hitting plateaus in your current workout routine? Maybe you just want to accelerate your fitness efforts but keep injury and body stress out of the equation. Here are three ways to smartly ramp up your workouts while minimizing risk of injury:

Active rest. During workout rest periods, do simple but effective movements on body parts that need them most. For example, if your hamstrings are tight, try a few easy toe touches or inchworms. If your quads are tight, try some butt kicks or easy lunges. Active rest keeps your heart rate in a targeted zone, improves underdeveloped body systems and parts, and helps you to get more out of each workout session.

Try a new skill. Trying new skills keeps you mentally sharp—sometimes just what your body needs. Boxing/kickboxing fitness is easily integrated into any existing workout regimen. Yoga, in- or outdoor rock climbing, and swimming are all other great examples of how you can break out of a workout comfort zone. However, be sure to stay safe and maximize workout benefits by always seeking certified instructors to monitor and help you learn new skills correctly.

Hire a pro. As with most professional services (such as MaidPro home cleaning), professional trainers possess an enormous amount of specialized knowledge. They help you to focus on using correct, high-impact techniques and can show you different moves and how to perform them safely and most effectively. They can also provide the nutritional advice you need to keep your body properly fueled to gain that extra edge. Even if your budget does not allow for regular professional training, investing in a single session can provide invaluable insights into the world of professional fitness.

Workouts don’t always have to be knock-down drag out events. Sometimes a brisk walk, swim, jog, or light stretching is all you need. Kenneth H. Cooper was spot on when he said: “Fitness is a journey, not a destination.” My best advice to clients is to approach exercise with a primary goal of being healthy and keeping your body as functional as possible for the rest of your life. Shake it, don’t break it!

Rick Aurelio
Corporate Wellness Director

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