Simple Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Fitness Regimen

The importance of staying physically fit has been discussed time and time again. Modern times and the stress that comes along with them, however, have made taking the time to embrace a proper fitness regimen rather difficult, resulting in many people taking shortcuts in order to try to reach their goals. In fitness, however, shortcuts that actually work are quite rare, and usually not worth even bothering with.

Maintaining a healthy fitness regimen may seem as if it’d be a difficult process, but there are plenty of simple things that you can do in order to stay on track. You’d be amazed how many people actually forget about some of the most basic aspects of fitness, as well as just how many problems can come along with doing so.

Here are some top tips to help you get the best out of your workout:

Stretch After Every Workout

Back problems and muscle aches are everyday occurrences for many people, and some spend thousands of dollars a year to try to figure out what’s going on. Surprisingly enough, many of these issues come along with a lack of stretching after exercising. As Chris Pellow (of Chris Pellow Chiropractor, one of Colorado’s leading practices) says, stretching before exercise is actually not the brightest idea. “It’s better to actually use your muscles first, either through exercise or a more active warm up routine, and then statically stretch them out afterward. They’re looser, they’re more receptive to stretching, and you’ll get better results,” says Pellow.

Don’t Go on Exercise Binges

If you haven’t been the gym in a while, there’s a good chance you have the occasional epiphany that you should jump back in and start firing on all cylinders. These are commonly referred to as “exercise binges,” where people try to cram in all the work they’ve missed over the weeks or months in a small amount of time. Not only is this unhealthy and bad for the body, but it is likely to lead to “burnout” and frustration; two of the biggest factors that cause people to stop exercising altogether. Instead, it’s always best to start slow and ease your way back into exercising, which will ensure that you don’t overshoot your expectations. Be sure to rest after every few days of working out, especially if you haven’t exercised regularly for a while.

Avoid Weight-Training Machines

Weight-training is an essential part of any exercise regimen. Unfortunately, those who aren’t well-versed on how to lift tend to head straight to the machines in the gym, which are not only far less effective than traditional weight-lifting methods, but can be very dangerous as well. Expert lifters know that machines get in the way of reaching one’s goals and can throw off an entire regimen, especially when operated improperly. Cardio machines such as elliptical and treadmills can certainly be safe and effective, but it’s best to leave it at just that and work with a trainer to learn how to lift weights properly.

Maintaining a healthy exercise regimen can be trying task, but the above tips should help you to stay on track – especially if you manage your expectations and take things slowly.