Organize your Fitness Lifestyle
Organization of your fitness lifestyle may lead to improved outcomes, particularly over the long term. And organization means more than just knowing which days and times you will dedicate to your exercise program. While that is an important aspect of organization because you must know when you will exercise in order to actually get it done–how, where and what you will do on those days/times is essential if you intend to achieve the goals and objectives set forth.
This month’s newsletter features ten organizational tips focused upon the fundamental components of an exercise program. These tips are quick, easy to remember and immediately applicable. As always, prior to beginning any exercise program, please consult your physician.
Tip #1 – Outline, in writing, exactly what each training day will include. For example, is this day a cardio emphasis day, a muscular strength training day, a combination of those two components, or perhaps it is a recovery day.
Tip #2 – Place a definitive beginning, middle and an end to each training session. Think of the session with “bookends” as the beginning and end, and the middle the “meat” of the session.
Tip #3 – Be clear about the timing of the session. How much time are you dedicating to the session today? Get in, get it done and get on with your day.
Tip #4 – Learn the lay of the land if you are working out in a big box health club. Go in, familiarize yourself with the fitness floor through a complimentary fitness floor orientation or observe a group exercise class that you are interested in so that when you walk in, you are ready to hit the ground running. If you are training at a boutique fitness facility, such as Lakewood Fitness, since there is not an open gym, this is less important. However, there are always systems and processes in every fitness business, so take a little time to get acquainted accordingly so you may orient seamlessly.
Tip #5 – Learn the proper technique, form and purpose of each and every exercise from a qualified, certified, and experienced fitness professional. This not only protects you from a safety perspective, but it enables you to train more effectively and efficiently.
Tip #6 – Lay out your workout gear the night before, have your gym bag packed so that no matter what time of day you are training, you have the right gear to perform optimally. If you do not need to shower at the facility, or there are no locker room amenities, consider just bringing your cell phone, keys and wallet and place those into a cell phone locker or provided cubby which will expedite your ingress and egress.
Tip #7 – Make certain that you plan time for a solid pre-exercise meal, two-five hours prior to the program depending upon the main nutrient inputted. For example, if your meal is predominately complex carbohydrates, digestion may take approximately one-two hours. However, a meal with a higher fat content may take up to three-five hours to digest.
Tip #8 – Allow enough time to get into the studio/facility knowing that all fitness facilities have peak hours of operation. Either avoid those times, or plan ahead so that you will have access to the classes, sessions, or equipment you desire.
Tip #9 – Book your classes/sessions well in advance (most fitness facilities allow booking between two-four weeks in advance where applicable) so that you have access to your desired class formats and time slots either for classes or personal training sessions.
Tip #10 – As always, make certain to have several well-defined contingency plans as life will happen and you want to be organized and prepared accordingly ensuring fitness success.
By: Jackie Wright, Owner/Manager Lakewood Fitness