The information in this article will help you become educated in all aspects associated with fitness. It is important to be educated about fitness before you start exercising; you could hurt yourself or put a lot of efforts into something inefficiently if you do not know any better. Before exercising, read up on it.
When working out using weights, start by using smaller machines first. This helps to build endurance and prepares your muscles for the heavier weights that are to come. Beginning with dumbbells is a great idea. The progression should be gradual, from lighter to heavier until you are achieving the desired results.
Keep a journal or record of your daily activities. Keep notes on everything, including all exercise activities, food and beverages consumed, etc. Even make note of the times you exercise and eat, and the temperature each day. If you do this, it can help you as you consider the high and low points. If you had to put off exercising a little while, note why.
One tip for keeping with your fitness regimen is to join a fitness club and pay upfront for multiple months. This will create guilt if you do not attend, which gives you incentive to go as often as possible. This is only recommendeded if you are having a hard time convincing yourself to go, and should be only used as a last resort.
When you are lifting and doing reps, you should count down instead of up. This gives you an idea of just how many exercises you still have left and help keep your motivation level up.
Regular exercise every day, even if just for a short time, is best. The exercise does not even have to be complicated. It can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking an extra five blocks to and from work.
Shoes with a proper fit are imperative to your workout program. When you are going to go shoe shopping, do it later in the day, when your feet are more swollen. There should be at least a half-inch gap between your shoe and the end of your big toe. Check to be sure that you can move your toes a bit.
If so, look at other choices. You can also try bicycling as an exercise. Bicycling is an inexpensive and enjoyable alternative to transportation to work. With a short five mile trip to work, you can accomplish a 30 minute workout by doing something you already need to do. The bonus: you get a second workout going home.
Make sure all of the gym equipment is clean before you use any of it. Remember that the last person that used the equipment probably left germs on the equipment. You didn't go to get sick, so sanitizing is a great idea.
When beginning in fitness routine, avoid calling it a workout or exercise. If you call it by these things, you are more than likely not going to be as motivated. Instead, use words such as jogging, cycling or running.
Running is a great exercise, but it can also cause damage over a long period of time. One great rule you can follow is to allow yourself a break every six weeks where you run half of what you usually do for one week. Running only half of what your body is used to will give your body the chance to recover from your previous running routines and help you avoid permanent damage.
Strengthening your thighs is a great way to protect your knees. Tearing a ligament on your knees is a very common sports injury. Working out your quads and also your hamstrings can go a long way in helping keep your knees physically healthy and in tact. Leg extensions, leg curls, squats, and lunges are all exercises that will work the upper leg muscles.
There are a lot of things you can do to keep fit and stay motivated. The key is finding what will work for you. By creating an exercise routine that keeps your motivated and engaged, it will be easier to stay fit. As you learn more about fitness, you are sure to find it increasingly interesting.