Whole Body Workouts to Show Your Body Love This February
It’s February, the month of love, and what better than to start by practising some self-love with a new training session for your body? Full body workouts are a great way to look after both your physical and mental health. Not only do they increase strength, endurance and flexibility, but support with reducing stress levels and a heightened overall wellbeing. Let’s talk about some training and workouts that are highly efficacious and can be started at home.
As most know, exercise is one of the most crucial methods to maintain overall health and wellbeing. From cardiovascular and conditioning training to stretching and floor based exercises, the regular practice of working out helps in longer term increases in one’s mood, muscle strength, energy levels and aids in the release of serotonin and decrease in cortisol levels. It’s worth noting that fitness is not solely about looking good externally, but rather feeling strong and healthy internally too.
When it comes to how best to exercise, it is important to have a balance of cardio, strength and flexibility to ensure the whole body reaps the benefits of the training. These three components play crucial parts in having a varied fitness routine that keeps you feeling energised and in peak strength. This February, why not try switching up your routine with some of the following types of training to take your results to that next level.
Cardio: An excellent way to increase your heart rate and improve general health, cardiovascular exercise spans a number of activities - this could include running, aerobics and cycling.
Strength Training: Crucial for building muscle and improving strength, this type of training is perfectly complemented by a protein rich diet. Strength training includes activities such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and even through the use of resistance bands.
Yoga: An ancient practice, yoga harnesses breath work, stretching and mindful movements in order to condition muscles, build strength and improve mental wellbeing. With so many options for yoga, classes can be done at home, along with a DVD or online video, or in a studio setting for those wanting face to face time with an instructor.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Designed for full body blasts, HIIT sessions offer maximum effects in minimal time. By combining recovery periods with short bursts of intense activity, HIIT workouts allow for increased stamina, higher rate of fat burning and improved overall health.
No matter the preferred style you choose, the key is consistency and building this into your routine. By taking the time to invest in your body, you’ll reap the many benefits of regular physical activity, thus creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself.
Getting started with a new routine can be intimidating, especially for those who are not familiar with exercise as part of their day-to-day routine, but there are some easy tips in overcoming this:
The first thing you should do is find out which types of exercise work for you and which types will be beneficial to your fitness goals - this way you are working towards what you want and will enjoy doing so.
Next is to devise a plan of when you will exercise. You don’t need to plan out your entire week in advance, but it is advisable to know when you will be working out - so that you can bring gym kit to work, if need be.
Once you have this plan, make sure to set realistic goals. Start small and work your way up, rewarding yourself for the wins - no matter how big or small.
Finally, be kind to yourself! Everyone has days where they lack motivation or they don’t see the progress they’d like, and that’s okay. Every little step counts towards improved health!