There are many reasons to get fit, and these range from vanity to health. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of the proper steps they should be taking for beginning the fitness program right for them. The ideas presented in the following paragraphs are sure to get you going in the right direction towards health and fitness.

Push-ups are great and simple way to add a nice tone to your triceps. 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. Doing this targeted exercise can tone and strengthen those difficult to reach triceps like few other exercises can.

Lift a higher amount of weight for a lower amount of reps. You can get started by concentrating on a single muscle group like the chest, abdominals or gluteals. Warm up with lighter weights, going through the motions but not working too hard. 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. For your third set, add five more pounds of weight.

Muscle Mass

When it comes to weightlifting, doing a number of repetitions using lighter weights serves to give you greater muscle mass than doing fewer repetitions using heavier weights. Muscle mass isn’t about lifting the most, but enduring the longest without loss of strength. Many famous weight lifters use this technique.

Prior to beginning bench exercises, check the pads by applying finger pressure. If the padding is so thin that you can feel the wood on the bottom, look for a better machine. The lack of padding will compromise the much needed comfort while you are working out and may lead to soreness or bruising.

If you want to improve your speed and stamina when running, emulate the Kenyans. The typical Kenyan runner paces very slowly for the first part of the run, about one third. Pick up your pace as you go. By the middle of your run, you will be running at your normal pace. And the last third, is when you want to be at your fastest. Make this routine, and you will improve both your endurance and speed.

If your body is demanding a break, don’t ignore it. A lot of trainers counsel people to rest only after certain sets or when changing to a different exercise. Let the way you feel influence your decisions more than the trainers. If your body wants you to stop for a few minutes, then you should take a break. If you don’t respect your body and treat it well, you put yourself at risk for injuries.

When you are beginning a fitness routine, dog-walking is an excellent, natural way to get your exercise. Dogs love going for walks, and they will keep you motivated by begging you for this every day. Start out simple. Begin by walking a block or possibly two; then, build your distance on that. If you own a dog, take them along. They will provide you with motivation and company.

Leg Extensions

If you’re interested in strengthening your quadriceps, try doing leg extensions. Leg extensions are fairly easy and almost every gym will have at least one leg extension machine. The exercise involves simply extending your legs up while in a seated position.

Being physically fit offers many benefits, both mentally and physically. Now that you have read this article, you know that the initial actions towards improved health and fitness can actually be simple and even enjoyable. You can watch your fitness level improve by using the tips shared here.