We’ve always heard people saying ‘you are what you eat’ and there is so much truth to that. When we feed our bodies food that is good and healthy, we feel great. On the other hand if we put bad food in our bodies we end up feeling sick.
One of the things we can do for our bodies is get enough exercise. This is something that as humans we have been doing since the invention of our species. When we see attractive people, we are quick to attribute their looks to their dedication to the exercise regime.
There are a lot of different ways in which we can get our bodies moving. Here are a few of our top 8 favorites.
Exercise Your Abs and Your Back
This may be an obvious choice but an effective one. By doing simple crunches you are working your abs. A side effect of doing these exercises is that you will strengthen the muscles that hold your spine in place. If you do this consistently you will notice a significant decrease in your back pain.
However, don’t just stop at crunches. Move up to planking. This is an advanced move and should only be attempted once you have developed your core strength.
A plank is done on all fours whilst keeping your back straight and lifting your bottom up from the ground. This challenge can be done for a number of repetitions.
Work Your Glutes
Using your glutes as your base of support, pull your bum upwards and move your bottom up towards your hands. Do this for a given number of repetitions and then sit on your hands for a while before repeating again.
Doing this exercise, combined with a few crunches, will have your body moving and working its abs and back.
Exercise Your Arms
Doing some basic arm exercises helps to tone your arms and keep them in shape. Choose exercises which target your arms.
A good option would be bicep curls. With your hand in plank position, stand with your back and feet straight. Keeping your back straight, lift your arm up. Pull in your stomach muscles as you lift. Then lower your arm. Once you’re finished, do it again.
Try to resist the urge to rest on your elbows instead, try to keep them straight and you will feel the difference.
Exercise Your Feet
The easiest and most effective way to work your glutes and hamstrings is with squats. You can also strengthen and tone your arms with push-ups.
Step up onto the bench with your back straight. Place your back against the bench. Grip the bench with your elbows resting on top. Lower yourself as far as you can without completely bending your elbows. Stop when you hit the point where your thighs are parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and repeat.
To tone your arms, hold your arms by your sides and bend your arms at the elbows. Lift your hands as high as you can and then lower them back down again.
Do Stretches
Taking time to relax is very important. As well as keeping your body fit, keeping your body in optimal shape helps you to perform better in your day to day activities.
Stretching has many good benefits.
It increases the blood flow to your body. This improves your immune system and reduces your chance of developing muscle and joint injuries.
Stretching keeps the muscles from shortening when under pressure. This is useful if you have to carry out activities that require a lot of stamina.
Stretching helps to improve muscle development and flexibility. This is important in areas including your quadriceps and calf muscles.
Stretching is good for people who are expecting a baby. A good stretch can help during pregnancy to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, lessen muscle and joint aches and pains and relieve stress.
If your muscles are too tight then you may experience some pain during exercise. Stretching prevents this, making the activity more fun and enjoyable.
Do High Intensity Interval Training
High intensity interval training is basically a workout that takes a bit longer to complete but the results are fantastic. It increases your heart rate and gets you working harder for longer periods of time.
The main idea is that you do short bursts of exercise such as sprints and high intensity jogging. Then you do a short rest period and then repeat. Doing this you will burn more calories in less time.
For example, if you run a mile at a pace of 6 min/mile you would burn around 200 calories. However, if you sprinted for one minute and then rested for two minutes you would burn 250 calories. In this case you would get the same amount of exercise but burn twice as many calories. This is why it is called high intensity interval training.
Try Yoga
Yoga is great not just because it can help you keep your body fit, but also because it lets you relax your muscles, which is crucial for working out. It is also good for people with bad knees as yoga helps build muscles which help support the joints in your knees.
Yoga is a form of exercise that combines stretching, breathing and meditation. It is great for your mind and body and has been shown to help with anxiety, stress, depression and even insomnia. The best way to get started is to visit your local yoga centre and ask them about classes or workshops. You could also try a few online tutorials on YouTube. You may find that you like yoga more than running, so it might be worth considering getting a membership at a gym or fitness centre.
Invest in a Home Gym
If you have a spare room in your home or your garden then you should also consider investing in a home gym. This way you can exercise any time you want and don’t have to worry about meeting other people in the gym.
The equipment you will need will vary greatly according to your requirements. It is best that you get some advice before you spend the money.
You can find home gyms at very affordable prices online, or from sports shops. Home gyms are a great investment and will not only help you to keep fit but will also save you time and money. There are many benefits of investing in a home gym. They are: Saving Money You can now exercise anywhere you like and do so without spending any money. There is no need to go out for the gym or even pay for a membership. You can also save money on travel costs as well.
Therefore, if you are looking to get into shape then a home gym is something you can consider. A home gym is an ideal way to exercise for people who don’t have a lot of time. It is a great way to improve your health and fitness levels without having to spend a lot of time traveling.
Final Words
If you are looking for a new way to exercise, take up one of these 8 tips. They all help tone your body and keep you moving. You’ll feel stronger, and more confident when it comes time to talking to new people.