How to Easily Increase the Intensity of Your Workout
By Genevieve Cunningham
There are so many different ways to work out. We can do a wide range of exercise from walking to swimming to yoga to high intensity training. The most important part of a workout is that you actually do it! But there are still moments -- no matter what kind of movement we choose -- where we need to increase the intensity of our exercise. Sometimes we make this more difficult than it has to be, but the good news is that it can be so easy! If you need some ideas about how to make your workout really work, take a look at these tips to try today.
You Can Add Speed
If you need a really easy and inexpensive way to increase intensity, try doing it faster. Don't do it so fast that you sacrifice form, but try to pick up the pace. This burns more energy and allows you to get more reps in a shorter time frame. This works for walking, running, calisthenics -- it works for so many exercises! Focus on safety and speed, and you'll definitely find your workout a little harder.
You Can Add Resistance
Adding resistance to your workout is probably easier than you think. You can use weights, of course, but you can also use resistance bands, a towel, water, or anything that pushes against your intended motion. Resistance means that your body has to work harder to get the movement done, and this means burning more calories and really challenging your muscles. If you're able and ready to work a little harder, just add a little resistance to get moving in the right direction.
You Can Work Out Longer
Sometimes we try to rush through our workouts just to get them over with. We get set on a certain length, maybe 20 or 30 minutes, and then we stick to that length of workout for years. But if you want to burn more calories and make your workout harder, maybe you should simply work out a little longer. Maybe you should work out for 45 minutes. Maybe you should run for two miles instead of stopping at one. It doesn't take much to challenge yourself, so don't be afraid to schedule a little more time for your workout. You may see a big difference really quickly!
When we increase the intensity of our workouts, we can really change our health for the better. We might see new changes to our bodies, improvements in strength, and increases in stamina. Use these easy and effective ways to improve your intensity, and watch your health improve steadily over time.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mint Hill, N.C.