Getting more exercise is one of the most common New Year's resolutions. But the majority of people fail to make changes to their workout routine that last for even the entire month of January, much less the entire year. If you want to be one of the few people who does succeed in getting more exercise in 2018, you need to set yourself up for success by learning how to make the most of your workout routine.
It's not easy to find time for exercise when you have a busy work schedule, a full social calendar, and kids to take care of. That doesn't mean it's any less important to get the recommended amount of exercise. Exercising five days a week for at least 30 minutes will lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes, and will help you live longer.
Here are some tips for making the most of your workout routine in 2018:
Make a workout plan.
You know the saying, "Failing to plan is planning to fail"? The secret to accomplishing any goal is making a plan for how you'll achieve it – and your exercise routine is no different. Plan out which days you'll go to the gym, at what time, and how long you'll spend there. You'll be amazed to see how simply planning out your new routine will make you more likely to follow through.
Find the right gym.
If you don't like your gym or it doesn't have the equipment and classes you need, you won't go. It's as simple as that. If you haven't already found a gym you like, do some research. Look into specialized gyms like boxing, pilates, or spinning if you're looking to switch up your routine in the new year.
Exercise alone.
No doubt about it, going to the gym with a buddy can be more fun than going by yourself. But if you have a limited window of time to fit in your workout, a friend can be an unhelpful distraction. The time you spend chatting is the time you're not spending on your workout. You'll get more out of your time at the gym if you go alone. Save the social workouts for the weekend.
Get more activity during the day.
The more activity you get during the day, the more energetic you'll feel and the more intensity you'll bring to your workout sessions. But when you work a desk job, it can be hard to move around much during the workday. To maximize your daily activity levels, consider swapping your desk chair for a desk bike, like the V9 Deskcise Pro™. The V9 is an all-in-one desk bike that easily converts from a low-impact bike with an easy-to-use desktop to a compact standing desk that you can use at work or in a home office.
With these tips, you'll create an exercise routine that makes it easy to get more exercise in 2018 and makes you feel better both in and out of the gym. Good luck!