A work out plan is something that can easily be overlooked especially amongst people who are just beginning their fitness journey, but it is of great importance. It is easier to reach your goal if you have a well detailed plan.
It is better to get a fitness coach but if one is unable to afford that, this article is put together to help you through the process.
There is no such thing as a plan that would work perfectly for everybody. You need to have a plan that works for you, and this will depend on different factors. For example:
- Age
- Lifestyle
- Health Status
- Fitness Level etc
There are also important questions that one needs to ask themselves before making an effective plan.
WHAT WORKOUTS SHOULD YOU DO? WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?
Are you working out to gain or lose weight? To burn calories? Increase strength and endurance? When you have all this figured out, you’ll be able to ascertain what work outs would be best for you.
There are two main types of Workouts.
Cardio and Strength training.
CARDIO:
It’s main functions are to burn calories, improve function of the heart and lungs and make you more fit. Examples are running, swimming, skipping and cycling.
It is generally advised to do 120 minutes of moderate cardio in a week OR
75 mins of rigorous cardio in a week.
STRENGTH TRAINING:
Just like cardio, strength exercises also helps to burn calories while also boosting metabolism and making your muscles stronger. Examples are push-ups, sit-ups and weight lifting.
N/B: If your goal is to gain weight, then you are going to need more of strength training and Occasional cardio, While for weight loss, you’ll be needing the both types.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU WANT TO WORK OUT?
If you are a beginner, it is more likely that your first reply would be everyday.
Firstly, you need to know that the chances of this working out for you are extremely low. You are more likely to burn out. You need to ease into your fitness journey and not try to rush it.
A good start is three(3) days in a week.
WHAT TIME OF THE DAY TO WORK OUT?
This depends on your schedule. You need to be realistic and practical about this. If you are free mostly in the mornings, pick that time of the day. If the evening suits you better, select it.
HOW LONG CAN EACH WORK OUT SESSION BE?
This also depends on your schedule and how long you can last. Don’t jump to a level that you cannot attain. You will certainly see results as long as you stick to your plan, but if you push yourself too hard, you’re most likely to stop and do away with your goals.
You can start from a 15-20minutes session, there is no rush for results.
In order to begin a fitness journey, one has to understand that just like every other thing in life, consistency is the key to result. That is why it is mostly advised to craft out a DO-ABLE plan. Make a plan that would work for you, be practical about it and watch your results come into light.
