Exercise Tips

For an exercise program to be successful you have to make it work for you. I have compiled some exercise tips to help your chosen program be as productive and run as smoothly as possible.

STARTING OUT
Getting the right equipment can be a perplexing task. There is a wide range of tennis rackets, home gym equipment; punch bags etc out there all claiming to be the best. To make sure you buy the right equipment for you.

• Set a budget.
• Read reviews online or in magazines/newspapers.
• Speak to people at the local gym or sports centre.
• Find out as much as possible about your chosen sport.

Even if you are embarking on an exercise program in which there is no need for specific equipment. You will need a good pair of trainers and some clothes to exercise in. Getting a good pair of trainers will help you to prevent injury.
When you go shopping for trainers go in the afternoon as your feet will have swollen slightly and make sure that you wear or take the same type of socks you will be wearing during exercise.

If you are going to jog or run it is a good idea to go to a sports shop and have your trainers fitted as your natural running technique can determine the type of shoe that you will need – a good assistant will be able to help you in selecting the right type of running shoe.

If you are a female you will also need a good sports bra even if you don’t feel that you are well endowed in this area a sports bra really does make a difference. Not only will you be less self conscious, you will find your performance will be better than without one.

You don’t need expensive outfits to exercise in. A t-shirt and a pair of leggings or jogging bottoms are fine as long as they don’t restrict your movement. Perhaps you could reward yourself with a new outfit when you reach your first goal!

KEEPING IT UP
Motivation is key to successful exercising. Here are some great exercise tips to make sure you keep up the good work.

• Set goals – I know everyone says it but its true there is no greater motivation than achieving that goal. It is a good idea to set your main goal and lots of smaller weekly/fortnightly/monthly goals.
• Reward yourself – Every time you reach a goal treat yourself or maybe put $1 in a jar each time you exercise that way at the end of the month you can buy something nice – not a large bar of chocolate!
• Keep a weekly record of your measurements and weight there is nothing better than seeing the numbers fall week by week.
• Get a friend to join in with you that way if you don’t do it you are not only letting yourself down but also your friend.
• Take a before picture. Pin the picture up where you will see it every day. This will motivate you as you don’t want to look like that anymore.
• Conjure up a positive mental image – try to imagine how you will look and feel when you are super fit and healthy. The positive mental image will help to motivate you.
• Create a habit - If you can keep up your exercise program religiously for a month you are more likely to continue with your program in the long term.

TECHNIQUE
You have got all the right equipment and the motivation. Now you need to make your exercise program work for you. Below are some exercise tips on how to get the most out of your program.

• Put in effort – When attending an aerobics class or partaking in your chosen program you will only get out what you put in. So let go of your inhibitions and work hard, push your body if you are finding the exercise a little hard that is good it means that you are working areas that you may not normally work in a way that your body isn’t used to.
• Have control – Think about the muscles you are using whilst you are using them. This will help to prevent injury and create body awareness. You will be surprised when you find muscles that you didn’t realise you had.
• Sometimes less is more – When doing repetitions for example a bicep curl doing 10 slow controlled movements would be better than 25 fast uncontrolled movements.
• If you are taking up yoga or dance or any other exercise that involves precise and correct form it is a very good idea to join a class as your teacher will be able to see if and where you are going wrong. If you can’t get to a class and you are using a book or DVD ask a friend to watch you as they will also be able to give you feedback and help you to correct your positions.

To read more useful exercise tips see Do's and Don'ts of Exercise (page 2)