A good fitness plan is a roadmap to your health and fitness goals. Without one, you’ll likely arrive somewhere, but it might not be the destination you had in mind when you started. A fitness plan makes sure you take the right turns along the way to achieve your goals and helps avoid exercise boredom, injury and burnout.
Workout plans also keep you accountable and support you when you encounter obstacles. For example, if you miss a workout session due to an out-of-town trip or a long cold, a fitness plan includes a schedule for getting back on track. It might also include a system for monitoring less obvious elements of fitness, such as sleep, hydration and nutrition. It’s much easier to meet your fitness goals if you’re well rested, properly hydrated and eating a nutritious diet.
Fitness plans typically include a mix of aerobic training, such as walking, running and swimming, and resistance or strength-training exercises that target all major muscle groups. A fitness plan will also incorporate a warm-up and cool-down session, as well as stretching exercises to improve flexibility. Some fitness plans may also include balance training, which is often overlooked but can play a significant role in preventing falls and serious injuries that result from them.
A good fitness plan will help you stay motivated, teach you new things and make it easier to develop healthy habits. It should be tailored to fit your motivation style and include a mix of activities you enjoy. It should also change periodically, so you don’t get bored or overtrain.
Creating a fitness plan can be challenging, especially for people who don’t have training or coaching experience. Fortunately, there are many online resources that can provide you with the information you need to create your own exercise plan.
1. It removes a major excuse – Having a workout plan to follow eliminates the major challenge of “not knowing what to do.” If you are prone to exercising on autopilot, creating a fitness plan will change your mindset and make it easier to stick with your routine.
2. It is customizable – Many fitness websites and apps allow you to customize your workout to fit your schedule and preferences. These apps can provide a variety of workouts, from beginner to advanced levels. The apps will also show you how to use the equipment you have at home or in your gym to complete the workouts.
3. It fits your lifestyle – A personal fitness plan is a great way to integrate exercise into your daily life, making it a habit that becomes natural. When you do this, it’s easier to stick with your plan even when you feel busy or stressed.
4. It allows you to measure progress – Whether you choose to record your minutes of activity in a calendar or make a simple chart that you can hang on your refrigerator, tracking your activity and seeing your results is a great motivator.
Milena Estêvão is a YouTuber passionate about sharing her experiences (challenges, successes and motivations) in the fitness activities she is involved in.
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