How to Find a Fitness Program You Can Stick With

How to Find a Fitness Program You Can Stick With

The new year has come and gone, and it’s likely most will have already given up on their fitness resolutions. With a mere 9.2 percent of people successfully achieving their new year’s goals, there’s no shame in admitting you were part of the majority.

However, now is the time to look back over your endeavors and work out where you went wrong.

Chances are if you failed at your fitness program, then you didn’t find the right option to fit you! No one can succeed overnight, but if you’re smart about your goals, it’s easy to dedicate yourself and see some serious long-term improvements in your health.

Be Realistic

These days, High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT workouts are popular. They’re intense, quick-paced and usually require a daily commitment. However, opting for fitness programs such as these if you’re a beginner or out of practice may be setting yourself up for failure before you’ve even begun.

If you’re struggling to fulfill your exercise aims, then it’s likely you’re expecting too much of yourself. By finding gentle alternatives and by slowly building up your overall fitness levels, you can progress in your own time. Remember, health and wellness are a marathon, not a sprint!

Work Around You

As well as overestimating your abilities, it’s easy to be overeager with your scheduling. If you already get up at 6 a.m. to get the kids dressed and ready for school, then it’s not very likely you’ll be able to motivate yourself to get up an hour earlier to do yoga.

A great tactic is to identify your free time before you even start looking for a fitness program. By doing this, you’ll already have a clear picture of the time you have to work out. Making a choice that’s realistic and time-effective will ensure the greatest chance of long-term success.

Get Help

If you can’t make a fitness routine stick, then you might consider asking for help. Finding professional support could be the extra nudge you need to stay on track. Not only can personal trainers provide you expert advice on creating workouts, but they also offer motivation, ideas and reflection, so you’ll always be at the top of your game.

If a personal trainer is out of your price range, then the Arena District Athletic Club runs a fantastic complimentary four-week program designed by their wellness staff. Together, you will create a detailed analysis of your health, design a personalized improvement plan, and set a schedule for the end of the program. It also includes additional instruction, such as proper form, technique and other style tips.

Access Workouts Anywhere, Anytime

A key catalyst for giving up on your workout is a change of routine. Going on vacation or going through a big life change such as moving or starting a new job or getting married are all factors that can destroy your progress. While many see these as unavoidable obstacles, they are merely opportunities to prove your dedication.

By planning ahead, it’s easy to overcome any trouble you may have with your workout logistics. If you are traveling, consider working out to online videos in your hotel room. If you’re going overseas, you may have trouble accessing some online fitness videos because of local internet restrictions, but even this can be bypassed by using the right software.

Similarly, if you find yourself too busy, then it’s simply about editing priorities. Create a to-do list that spotlights exercise. Schedule your workouts before everything else, and remind yourself how staying fit will help you manage these new stresses.

Make It Fun

The key to long-term fitness success is enjoyment. If you spend your day dreading your evening workout, then you’re bound to put it off. Similarly, if your idea of hell is sitting for an hour on a static exercise bike, then it’s going to be incredibly difficult to motivate yourself to do so. Fortunately, workout routines now come in almost any form.

Zumba is a great new trend that is both accessible and fun. Similarly, dance-based barre workouts are becoming increasingly popular, as are programs based on martial arts such as boxercise!

There’s a strange belief that fitness programs have to be about putting yourself through as much distress as possible. In reality, it should be something you enjoy and look forward to each day. Many people find the typical gym workout too monotonous to stick to long-term. By adding a twist to your program, you are far more likely to enjoy yourself and, therefore, stay dedicated.

If you’re engaged in an ongoing battle with your workout routine or are looking to start again after another failed attempt, be sure to follow these points to work out smarter and with success!

About the Author: Cassie is a fitness enthusiast but knows how difficult it can be to stick to a fitness regimen. She hopes her writing offers useful tips to help readers become the best version of themselves!

The Arena District Athletic Club is more than just a gym, it’s a premier fitness facility located in the heart of the Arena District in downtown Columbus. We provide convenience and quality, featuring top-of-the-line equipment, top-notch personal trainers, spa-like locker rooms and a wide variety of free group fitness classes daily including Cardio, Spinning, Barre Fusion, Yoga, Boot Camp and more. We offer free 2-hour parking and convenient contract-free memberships, to fit your healthy lifestyle needs. Don’t just join, belong