Top Fitness Routines for Beginners

Everyone knows that physical fitness is an important component of a well-rounded life. That said, it can be hard to get motivated and actually start to get fit. For people who aren’t currently fit, a new workout routine can be intimidating. Whether they have never been fit or they’re backsliders, the idea of a new fitness regime can be daunting. Luckily, there are some great resources out there for people who want to take the plunge and start to get fit. Even an absolute beginner can find great plans that will help them get started.

Once people have some grounding, a good fitness program isn’t that hard to construct. FITT is a guideline can help people develop an effective workout regime on their own. Frequency, intensity, time and type are the elements that make up the FITT acronym. Frequency is how often someone works out.

Typical advice from professionals for frequency is five days per week. Those five days should incorporate three sessions of strength training and three sessions of cardio. Typically, one workout day is active recovery or easy cardio, for example, a walk and a gentle stretch.

Intensity is a huge variable when it comes to workouts. For absolute beginners, intensity should never go beyond about the halfway mark. Doing too much too soon can lead to injury that will curtail a workout program altogether. Light to moderate intensity in both cardio and resistance training is ideal for a beginner.

Time refers to the duration of a workout. For beginners, each workout should last just 20 to 30 minutes. Again, overdoing it can lead to injury or burnout. The time per workout typically grows naturally as a person gets more fit. For example, if someone enjoys running, they will want to do greater distances each time they set out. Instead of one mile, they will want to do three, then five and so on.

Finally, type refers to the kind of workout being done. Generally speaking, there are two types of workout, cardio, and strength or resistance training. However, for fitness to continue to develop, muscle confusion is necessary. A program that mixes things up will have great results. Options for cardio include walking, running and swimming. Resistance training can involve weights, bands, or body weight.

This article was originally published on JamesCrickmore.org.uk.

How to Train for Your First Half Marathon

Are you planning on running a half marathon for the first time? These tips will help you prepare!

Don’t Start From Scratch

When you decide to run a half marathon, you should already be running consistently. The 12  week plans you find for training normally already assume that you’re running on a regular basis, with a mileage base of 15 to 20 miles. You should be able to easily run at least five miles.

If you haven’t been running on a regular basis, your body will have to acclimate to the distance as your train. Unfortunately this often overwhelms you body and causes injury. You may need to find a longer training plan, and sign up for a half marathon further in the future if you don’t already have the necessary running base.

Choose (and Stick to) a Plan

Most half marathon training plans range from 10 to 16 weeks. A longer plan is better because it allows extra time in case you get sick or busy because of of work. You should especially consider a longer plan if this is your first half marathon. The available plans vary in their structure, so you should choose one that fits your schedule. For example, you may not be able to run every day. If so, don’t select a plan that suggests it!

Settle into a Routine

After you choose a plan that works for you, the next step is to settle into a routine. Vary the lengths and speed of your runs. Don’t burn yourself out! On days you aren’t running, you should cross-train. Swimming, cycling, and using the elliptical machine are all great aerobic exercises. Core exercises with light resistance will help you keep good running form during your half marathon.

Buy the Proper Gear

Before you run the half marathon, you should make sure that you have all the gear you’ll need. Shoes are the most important. Some speciality shops help analyze your running style to help you choose the best shoe option for you. Don’t run the half marathon in clothing you’ve never worn before. Make sure you test everything, even socks or earbuds, to make sure you’ll be comfortable for the entirety of the race.

By selecting and implementing a plan that works for you, and preparing for the race with any necessary gear, you’ll make your first experience with a half marathon a good one!

This article was originally published on JamesCrickmore.org.uk. 

Why VR Can’t Replace the Gym

The industry of virtual reality and augmented reality is an exciting one! The technology is being introduced into the fitness industry, and it’s showing some potential. Although both VR and AR are being experimented with, it is virtual reality that seems to have taken the fitness industry by storm. VR technology will immerse users in a virtual world that could cause them to forget they’re even working out. In 2017, a record-high of $3 billion dollars was invested into the VR market. It’s expected by 2021 the VR market will reach a level of $215 billion. These numbers are very impressive and display the industry’s promise. VR fitness is starting to attract new age groups, especially youth. This is because most of the younger generation are interested in video games. They’re enjoying incredible virtual experiences while they compete or train with other users around the world. The gaming industry has typically been dominated by a male audience. However, with VR for fitness and health, more women have expressed interest. There is currently a lot of positive feedback from people getting in shape using various VR games. However, the feedback has been based mainly on cardio training.

The drawback to using VR for fitness is that it is solely based on cardio. When it comes to fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, variety is key. Most of those who work out enjoy variety in their routines. People who go to a gym train there because of the choices they have and selection of equipment. For example, you have free weights, swimming pools, and machines. These are some activities that cannot be replicated in virtual reality. For example, if someone may want to bench press weights. This simply isn’t replicable in a VR system. Due to these hurdles, virtual reality can’t replace the gym. Another obstacle to overcome is the equipment. Virtual reality requires you to wear a headset. However, it isn’t practical to wear a piece of equipment over your head 4 or 5 times a week for a workout. Another setback is the weight of the VR headset. An ideal headset would be one that’s wireless, light, and comfortable. A headset that was built similar to snowboarding goggles could be worn for a long duration of time.

While virtual reality has encouraged more people to work out lately, it certainly can’t replace the gym. Virtual reality lacks variety, and requires the usage of a headset that makes working out at home harder than it is at the gym.

This article was originally published on JamesCrickmore.org.uk.