I have a couple of friends who are waiting to get into better physical condition. They think if they could just get a kettle bell or a gym membership, then they could get started.
I have to say that equipment can be fun, but it’s a long way from necessary. The things that are necessary are:
- A decision for health and a willingness to go after it.
- Warm up.
- Good form.
- Knowledge of safe exercises for you and the ability to vary them.
- Allocated time for your health.
Often a gym can get you past number one. If you sign up for a trainer who’s respected and knowledgeable, you can get 2, 3 and 4. However, you don’t need to go that route.
You can do #1 for yourself.
- Take a look at your family history. Is heart disease a factor in your family?
- Take a look at your weight. Are you overweight?
- Do you know your blood sugar? It should be below 100.
- Do you know your cholesterol? Total number should be below 200 and the HDL number should be well above 30.
- Are you sedentary? If so, you’ve got to get active to move accumulated trash out of your body.
For 2, 3 and 4, check out Personal Training on the net. Warm up is easy, just move all your parts in all directions for a few minutes and get your heart moving. Also, check out Cross-fit. They’ve got exercise demos for free.
For 5, you can make exercise part of how you live.
- Take walks to work or a break for a walk when you are at work.
- Walk to the grocery store and carry your bags home. You could buy less and do more shopping trips. That might be less efficient, but it’s a way that works. It’s weight-bearing cardio.
- Start looking for places to do pullups.
- You can do pushups anywhere.
- You can do squats and lunges anywhere.
- You can sprint anywhere.
- You can do a bridge anywhere.
- You can stand on one leg anywhere.
- You can walk barefoot in the woods or across stones. It’s a workout!
- You can jump anywhere.
- You can pick up stumps or rocks for lifts anywhere.
Provided you aren’t seriously ill, you can do it. You can start right now!