Whatever your goals — losing a few pounds or running in a triathlon — fitness is a key part of a well-rounded life. Since a lot of people don’t know where to start, we’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of tips and tricks to get you on your way.

Vary your exercise activities so you can get the best results. If you normally use your treadmill for exercise, you can switch things up by going for a run around your neighborhood. They will achieve different results from running up some hill versus running on the sidewalk. By having a variety when exercising, the body isn’t able to get used to any one exercise. This will keep it in shape while helping it to lose weight.

The best fitness routines target your problem areas and allow you plenty of flexibility. See if any classes are offered in your area.

Doing some simple push-ups can help you get your triceps in shape. Try to avoid normal pushups though, but target the tricep muscles by merely shifting your hands so that your fingertips touch and your hands are following a 45 degree angle. When you target the muscle in this exercise, you will tone up the triceps better than any other exercise.

The basics of bodybuilding: Build muscle mass by simultaneously doing fewer reps and lifting more weight. Target one muscle area you want to workout and work on that area. Begin with warmups involving lighter, more manageable weights. 15-20 repetitions ought to be simple with this amount of weight. For your second set, select a weight for which you can only perform 6-8 reps. Add 5 more pounds, and then repeat the reps for your third set.

Keep a fitness diary showing what you did during your day. Note your regular workouts as well as any extra moving you do. It’s not hard to add data on how much you walk in a given day; a pedometer that will tell you this is a cheap and easy-to-use tool. Writing it all down helps you keep track of your fitness progress.

Are you interested in making your chin-ups more easy to perform? If you change the your thinking about chin-ups it can help. Instead of thinking about pulling yourself up when doing a chin-up, imagine that you are pulling your elbows down. This will make things seem much simpler and you will be able to complete more of them.

Starting dips is a great fitness ideas. They focus exertion on the triceps, chest area, as well as the shoulders. There are a lot of of ways to do them correctly. Position two benches so that you can do the dips in between them. You can also add weight to your dips.

Training like Kenyan runners can help you increase not only your speed, but also your endurance. This training process begins slowly and then increases the level of intensity. Try running faster as you are on your journey. As you reach the middle third of your run, you should have reached your normal pace. Pull out the stops and run fast during the final third of your workout. By training this way, you will increase both your speed and your endurance.

Pay attention to your body when it demands a rest break. Many trainers will tell you that you should only rest between certain sets, or when you change exercises. You should pay more attention to your body than a trainer. When your body says it needs to take a breather, let it have one. If you don’t, you may end up injuring yourself.

Cycle at a steady rate. The faster you are pedaling, the faster you will get tired. Keep your pace simple and steady to be able to build your riding endurance and prevent fatigue. Pedaling at a steady pace allows you to know when you’re about to get an injury, because you’re able to feel your muscles better.

Using these tips can help you achieve any fitness goals you have. Nothing should ever stand in the way of you getting into shape, just continue to be motivated and educate yourself on the proper way of keeping in shape. You will notice benefits pretty fast, and they last your whole life.