This past year hasn’t been the greatest, but it sure has created lots of new memories. We’ve experimented more in the kitchen, found projects to do around the house, watched lots of movies and discovered new ways to keep each other entertained.
While getting in shape might be on many people's list of resolutions this year (especially if you gained the quarantine 15), it may also be just the thing that you need to switch up your stay-at-home routine. We’ve put together a guide of some of our best fitness advice to help you get on track for a more active 2021.
Getting Started
If you are starting from scratch, make sure that you have the right tools to put together a well-rounded workout plan. From setting goals to making sure you have the right equipment, a strong start will help you stick with it.
- The Benefits Of Setting Fitness Goals. Setting goals for yourself will help keep you motivated – even on days you don’t want to work out. Set goals that are measurable so that you can track your progress over time!
- How To Equip Your Home Gym On A Budget. Maybe you already got a head start putting together your home gym during quarantine. If not, there’s no time like the present. If you are struggling to find the right equipment, there are plenty of ways to adapt workouts using items you may have around the house (i.e. canned foods as weights).
- Choosing The Right Shoes For Your Workout. Whether you prefer running or weightlifting, make sure that you are choosing shoes that will give you the support you need and minimize your chances for injury.
Workout Basics
Before you jump right in, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Working out, especially starting to exercise after a long period of being inactive, can put you at risk for injury. While muscle soreness or tightness is common after a workout, learn how to be proactive to avoid potential injuries.
- Workout Basics: Warm-Ups And Cool-Downs. An ideal workout starts with a warm-up to get your muscles ready and a cool-down to help bring your heart rate down. Learn what a good warm-up and cool-down look like so you can maximize your workout.
- Stretch It Out: 5 Ways To Improve Your Flexibility. Being flexible can help you avoid injury – not just during a workout, but even doing simple tasks in your day-to-day. Loose muscles will help keep you active and feeling good.
- 8 Ways To Ease Post-Workout Muscle Pain. Muscle soreness is unavoidable to an extent. However, there are many things that you can do to easy soreness during your workout recovery process.
- 7 Common Workout Mistakes To Avoid. While you may be eager to get in shape, progress takes time. And there can be negative effects if you workout too hard or complete a workout with improper form.
Creating Your Fitness Plan
Ready to get started? It’s one thing to have all the right equipment, but another thing to really get the hang of the right workout plan for you. Everyone has different physical capabilities, schedules and likes and dislikes. Be open to trying out different workouts until you figure out what works best for you and your lifestyle, and what keeps you engaged.
- Your First 5K: Training Tips For Beginning Runners. If you’ve been inactive for a while, running a 5K might seem like a lofty goal. But by using these tips and starting slow, you might find it's more achievable than you thought.
- 5 Ways To Turn Your Walk Into A Workout. Who says you have to run to get a workout in? Walking is a great form of cardio, even if you only have 15 minutes to power walk. Learn how to turn a simple walk into an elevated cardio workout.
- Interval Training: A Beginner’s Guide. Interval training is great for when you want to push yourself, both mentally and physically. While interval workouts might make you sweat more than other workouts, if you stick with it, the results are worth it.
- Yoga Therapy Explained. The stress of this year might require a little extra time spend focusing on deep breathing and positive headspace. Think of yoga less as a workout but more of a therapy to help you relax and feel good.
- How To Adjust Your Workout When You Can’t Get To The Gym. Sometimes, the gym isn’t an option. That has been a common theme in 2020. Just because you can’t get to the gym doesn’t mean you should skip a workout. Adjust your usual workout to suit your circumstances and improvise!
- Adding Rest Days To Your Workout Routine. Taking a break from working out is almost as important as the workout itself. Rest days allow your body to recover and build muscle. But rest days don’t mean lounge around and do-nothing days. Learn how you can honor the rest day while still being active.
To find a doctor or athletic trainer at Henry Ford, visit henryford.com or call 1-800-HENRYFORD (436-7936).
