How to Plan an Exercise Routine

Planning an exercise routine does not have to be complicated. For the most benefits incorporate exercises that cover all of the major areas as well as cardio for your heart. One of the most common mistakes made when first starting an exercise program is to overdo it. It is easy to get hooked on exercising once you start. It feels good to work your body but exercising every day exhausts your muscles without giving them a chance to recuperate. If you must fulfill your desire to exercise everyday build a plan that works different muscle groups on alternate days. A better plan is to exercise every other day so that your body has time to recuperate. 

Always begin a workout regimen with warm up exercises. These exercises will stretch the muscles and get them ready for more serious stress. If you rush through the warm up portion of your workout, or skip it altogether you are more likely to injure yourself. Dedicate at least 10 to 15 minutes to this part of your routine. Yoga exercises are terrific for this and also include a great deal of muscle toning and control along with them.

The next 15 minutes of your workout should be devoted to cardio based exercises that vary in speeds to give your heart and lungs a good workout. The backbone of good health is your heart. It is the most important muscle and needs to be exercised to be healthy.

Follow your cardio routine with exercises that cover the major muscle groups such as upper arms, abs, back, thighs and calves. There are many exercises that can be done without the need for expensive equipment and that cover each of the major trouble areas. You can even get industrious and use common household items to give you extra help along the way if you wish. Plastic milk jugs filled with water or sand make good hand weights, a kitchen chair can double as a dip bar, the kitchen countertop makes a good bar for stretching, and stairs become a great workout tool. Don’t let the inability of lack of time to go to the gym stop you from achieving your health goals during the week.

This portion can be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Finish your routine with a generous cool down period similar to your warm up. Stretching your muscles gives them a chance to cool down slowly thus avoiding bunching up. A great deal of the soreness and stiffness often associated with the day after a heavy exercise routine can be eliminated by paying close attention to both the warm up and cool down periods of your plan.

The most important part of your workout plan is commitment. Developing the best plan in the world won’t help you if you don’t take the time to use it. Keep it simple and make it something you can easily accomplish in the time you have available.

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