We all want to feel our best. For some, this might mean being super fit and athletic, while for many others it means just being healthy and mobile. Especially during certain times of the year, we tend to overdo things a bit and pack on some added pounds.
Here’s the good news, though! It needn’t take two hours in the gym every day to keep your body in good health and looking great. Just applying a few bits of solid advice can have you feeling spry and limber again in no time at all.
Incorporate Resistance Training
Our partner from Expertpt has a tip for long-term good health. The best tip they have to encourage good body composition is to incorporate resistance training into your lifestyle! They recommend 3-5 resistance training per week with a focus on increasing either the weight, sets, or reps in each session (aka Progressive Overload).
Balance is Key
Pam Berg, Writer & Running Coach at RunnerClick.com has the following tip:
“When athletes ask me how to keep their body in good shape I tell them that there are a few major components for consideration. Nutrition, cardiovascular activity, strength training & rest/relaxation are the top priorities for me. I advise people to try to eat at least 80% of their food in its most natural form, which ensures you are getting the most nutritional value. A mix of cardiovascular exercises and strength training help keep you in tip-top shape. Lastly, you need to give your body ample time to rest and recuperate. This can be seen as sleep, relaxation techniques such as yoga, or taking a rest day where you are not working out. Truth be told I think that in fitness and other things, balance is key.”
Comfortable and Healthy Body Posture
In order to have your body in great shape, it is important to pay attention to the furniture that you are using every day. We suggest that you use ergonomic furniture at work in order to stay healthy at all times. An example would be a standing desk or a stand-up desk that allows you to stay in a comfortable position while working. Visit Flexispot for more information on ergonomic products and furniture.
Stretching is Highly Important
Our friends from Barbella Box have another key tip for you. In order to stay in shape, we all know that working out and eating right is necessary. But, without a proper warm-up or post-workout stretch, your risk for injury increases. A great way to minimize injuries or aches and pains- and in turn, stay in shape, is through incorporating a stretching routine into your daily workouts. A warm-up before you workout and a stretch after will keep your body flexible, active, and ready for anything life may throw at you. At the end of the day, any injury, big or small will stop you from continuing your regular workouts and affect your overall health.
Strength Train and Track Your Progression
The team over at FitSW, the top-rated app that personal trainers use to train their clients, recommends strength training and monitoring your progression throughout your strength training program. CEO, Jacob Montoya, says, “There is a ton of research out there that strength training improves health, bone strength, muscle strength, and positively impacts mental health. When you track your progression, it makes it fun to see how far you have come and keeps you motivated to continue to improve. It also gives you insight into what impact different lifestyle changes can have on your progress, whether those changes be a new nutrition plan, a workout routine change, or anything else.”