How to know if your fitness plan is right for you
Wow! Where to start? There are so many fitness plans offering positive to unbelievable results in no time at all. Please believe me when I say, there is no substitute for good old hard work, a commitment to a lifestyle with good nutritional habits, and a workout routine you can stick to!
So of course, the 64-million-dollar question is… How do you decipher all the information available to know which fitness plan is right for you? Let’s go down a path to determine which one is right for you.
There is a lot to consider, but first, you need to understand and know your fitness level related to your body’s stability, mobility, strength and endurance. You don’t want to put yourself in position not to be successful by starting a plan that doesn’t match your fitness level. If you are a beginner or someone who hasn’t exercised in a while, connecting with a certified personal trainer to help determine your fitness level is a good way to get started.
Below are four main areas you must consider and think through completely before you make a selection.
What’s your goal?
Your fitness plan must fit your individual goal. You don’t want a fitness plan exclusively to gain muscle mass if your goal is to compete in a half marathon. A great way to define your goal is to think of it as a SMART goal. SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time bound).
- Specific – clearly stating specifically what you want to accomplish
- Measurable – visible progress you can document along the way
- Attainable – realistic, reasonable and achievable
- Relevant – related to your interest and overall desire to achieve
- Time bound – able to attach a timeline to show progression with completion
An example of a SMART goal: In 10 weeks I want to finish a 5k run with my daughter under 30 minutes.
How much time do you have?
You don’t want a fitness plan that requires you to workout for 50 minutes 3 days per week, but you only have 30 minutes for 2 days per week available. So, ensure you factor how much time you have available before you select a fitness plan. This can be an excellent opportunity for you to review your busy schedule to see if you can adjust your schedule to find more time to workout. So, don’t overlook your valuable time. Respect your time and use it wisely.
What do you enjoy?
You absolutely need to have fun! No exceptions. A fun fitness plan will increase your adherence to stay on track to reach our fitness goal! So, think about the journey you want to take on, please understand there will be both highs and lows along the way and that you want to embrace those moments knowing it’s all a part of the process to reach your goal. So, look out for any fitness plan that you may get bored with because it lacks variety and doesn’t offer you a chance to switch things up and challenge your competitive nature once you feel like a change is needed. Remember you want to feel a sense of pride and achievement after each workout not wishing you were done before getting started, or feeling the workout was a waste of your valuable time. Think about exercises and movements you like to ensure you incorporate a fitness plan that allows movement patterns you find useful in your day to day life whether you are an athlete or just someone wanting to have a fulfilling active lifestyle.
What equipment do you need?
You don’t want to start a fitness plan just to realize you don’t have the right equipment. Last thing you want is a fitness plan that requires heavy weights or specialty equipment and all you have access to use are resistance bands and 10-pound dumbbells. You want to make sure you have access to the equipment you need to perform your fitness plan.
Ah, now we know!
In summary, to determine if your fitness plan is right for you, listen to yourself! Be SMART with your goals and be honest with where you are starting, where you want to go, what you need in order to get there, and how you can best commit to your plan. Don’t be afraid to try different fitness experiences, you may surprise yourself! The most important part is find a plan that is FUN for you!
You may prefer to workout in the comfort of your own home with on-line coaching, or to be encouraged and motivated by in-person training sessions, or maybe you would love grabbing some close friends and planning group training sessions. Forever Fitness offers many flexible packages to help you hit your super SMART goals while customizing the plans to be just right for you!
If you have questions, want some friendly help to determine a fitness plan that is right for you, or you are ready to start your journey to your forever fitness – reach out at www.foreverfitnesslife.com or find me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
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