Photo by Victor Freitas from Pexels
We all know that working out is essential for our health, both physical and mental. Developing an exercise routine and keeping active is a healthy goal for all men. Working out can promote weight control, strength and agility, and it can also be fun. Finding the best type of workout can depend on your goals and your personality. After a visit with your doctor to address any issues that you may have with beginning a new routine, consider what you’d like to gain (or lose!) with your new plan.
Weight Loss
If your primary goal is weight loss you may want to begin a cardio routine. A moderate cardio workout is one of the best fat burners for men and will kick start any weight loss program that you begin. Some excellent choices for starting a cardio program include swimming, brisk walking, cycling or jogging. Walking and jogging are exercises that can be done without any equipment other than a sturdy pair of sneakers, making them a great way to get started on the road to health. If you have access to a lap pool, swimming is a fantastic low-impact workout that burns lots of calories and simultaneously strengthens your whole body. Bicycling is also low impact and lots of fun, but you will obviously need to have a bicycle in order to participate. The fastest way to burn calories is to run, but if you have not been keeping active it may be best to start out slower and work up to it. If classes at the gym are more your style, one of the best ways to burn calories is with HIIT training. Check with your gym to see if there are trainers available to help you put together a program that works best for you.
Strength Training
If your fitness goal is to build muscle then strength training is for you. There are two ways to assemble a strength routine, either using weights like dumbbells and kettlebells, or using your bodyweight for resistance. Some exercises that only need your body to perform are planks, bird dogs, squats and lunges, pull-ups and push-ups. There are many videos and tutorials that can demonstrate the proper techniques for these exercises so you could start a program today. If you have access to weights you may want to plan a workout schedule that includes deadlifts, curls, seated rows, barbell bench presses and incline presses, and more. If you belong to or are interested in joining a gym, personal trainers may be available to teach you the proper techniques and help you plan a workout routine that will allow you to reach your goals.
Agility
Yoga is simply the best way to promote agility, no matter your current level of health. Different types of yoga focus on different experiences and outcomes, so finding the right kind of yoga to try may take some trial and error.
Hatha is considered beginner’s yoga, and if you have never taken a yoga class before you may want to look for this designation. This class will focus on poses and postures that are suitable for someone who is new to the practice, and the instructor will be well-versed in adaptations that will allow you to get started and find success.
Bikram yoga is also known as hot yoga and has a number of famous followers. Performed in a room heated to over 100 degrees, this style of yoga promotes flexibility and the elimination of toxins due to the warmth. Restorative yoga focuses on holding a few poses for long periods of time, building strength and flexibility while promoting stress relief and deep relaxation. Ashtanga yoga is athletic and challenging, and this physically demanding style may appeal to men who perceive yoga as a „woman’s workout“.
No matter what your fitness goals may be, starting an exercise routine and sticking with it is the best way to ensure your health for the future.