How to Free Up All of Your Exercise Options
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us are hard pressed to squeeze in exercise routines, making gym sessions a real effort. When we do them, they are great, but sometimes time just slips away and gym workouts get skipped. If you are watching the days spin by without workouts, it may be time to take a look at all of the workout possibilities.
Harvard Health encourages everybody to broaden their exercise options to make sure there is at least 30 minutes of activity in every day. Keep your gym schedule, but build in some good backup choices. Review your schedule to see where you can fit in early morning walks, a stretch session after lunch, or an after work jog.
How to Activate Daily Workouts
Don't settle for your usual routines. Keep looking for extras like workout buddies, new classes, or online sessions.
Look for more choices - If we really think about it, we can also exercise outdoors, exercise at home with a mat or on a treadmill, and even exercise at work during breaks and after lunch. Harvard Health suggests starting with a stability ball, hand weights and resistance tubing. You can also add an exercise mat and jump rope.
When you travel, check into the gym at your hotel and carry a mat with you. When you are flying walk while your are waiting at the airport or between meetings.
When looking for a gym, consider these options.
Monitor before you sign up - See how busy the gym is at the times you plan on being there. Are there enough machines? Is it moderately busy or jammed? Will it be easy to exercise there, or an ongoing issue?
Keep the costs down - Trim out the extras such as trainers or saunas and just use the equipment that you need.
Sample with a free pass - Ask for a free day or week pass and see how it feels. If it does not feel great, keep looking.
Evaluate staff and equipment - Does everything seem to run well and is all of the equipment in good shape?
Look for membership specials - Compare more than one gym and see how the special offers work out. You may find community classes or community centers are a much better value.
Review the classes - If you really want a yoga or spin class, the gym may be a much better value than studio classes. Observe the class that you are considering and see if it fits your goals.
Whatever you choose, outdoor workouts, home mat sessions, or gym classes and daily workouts, will all help if you just show up every day and stick with it. Set up a schedule and see how it goes. Whatever works will be worth it to maintain your health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Zionsville, Ind.