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Once you have made the commitment to get started in a home fitness
program, here are some suggestions that you may want consider to help you
get off on the right foot and stay motivated. Realize that any new habit is
difficult to establish at first, but it can be done. Follow these steps and you'll
be on your way to establishing and using your home fitness center for
improved health and fitness. Enjoy the journey!
• Get a physical exam. If you have been inactive for several years or new
to an exercise program, be sure to consult with your family physician.
Especially if you're over 35, have health problems or have a history of
heart disease in your family.
• Begin planning for your home fitness center. Set aside a portion or a room
in your house or apartment that is exclusively for fitness, and make sure
that it is as comfortable as possible so you'll enjoy using it. If you like music
or like to look outside while exercising, make sure these things are
accessible. Do not force yourself to exercise in a part of the house that isn't
comfortable, you will not feel motivated to exercise.
• Do you need a companion? If you prefer to exercise with someone, find a
friend to train with who lives nearby. Encouraging your spouse or children
to exercise with you is an excellent way to stay motivated and promote
family unity.
• Make fitness a part of your daily lifestyle. Include it in your daily planner
just as you would any other appointment. Keep the appointment; you'll be
glad you did.
• Use affirmations. Affirmations will help you program your subconscious
to accept new beliefs. They should be positive statements. "I am living a
healthier lifestyle by exercising several times per week at home." Repeat
your affirmations several times per week.
■ Home Fitness Planning Worksheet
Target date to begin exercise program:_____________________
Times of day I can exercise:
Time #1________________________
Time #2________________________
Time #3________________________
Days of the week that are good for me to workout:
Day #1_________________________
Day #2_________________________
Day #3_________________________
Activities I would like to experiment with:
Activity #1_____________________
Activity #2_____________________
Activity #3_____________________
Exercise goals I wish to accomplish:
Goal #1_________________________
Goal #2_________________________
Goal #3_________________________
Individuals who will support me in my exercise program:
Person #1_______________________
Person #2_______________________
Person #3_______________________
Individuals who can workout with me:
Person #1_______________________
Person #2_______________________
Person #3_______________________
Over the last 25 years, ever since the introduction of Dr. Kenneth Cooper's
book, Aerobics, many individuals have focused on walking, running, cycling,
swimming, and other types of aerobic activity as their only means of exercise.
Unfortunately, this has led to many of these same people neglecting other
key components of fitness; such as strength training, flexibility and body
composition. Many of us lack the strength to carry a full back of groceries, or
the flexibility to pick up our shoes without bending at the knees. In addition,
as we have aged, we have replaced muscle tissue with fat tissue.
Continued work by Dr. Cooper at the Institute of Aerobics Research, is
showing that in addition to the need to stress our cardiovascular system, that
more attention needs to be placed on building stronger muscles and increasing
joint flexibility. They are talking about the benefits of balanced fitness: regular
physical activity that includes strength training and flexibility (stretching) in
addition to aerobic conditioning.
For many years, "fitness" has been solely a measure of cardiovascular
(aerobic) endurance. And, while aerobic fitness is the cornerstone for health
and quality of life, there are two other components that are nearly as
important. When developing your home fitness program it is only
appropriate that you develop all three components in order to achieve
balanced fitness, and thus optimal health and quality of life. The three
components are:
— Muscle strength
— Cardiovascular fitness
— Flexibility
■ Balance Fitness
Many people considering beginning a balanced home fitness program still
think "no pain, no gain." They usually think they have to cycle or lift weights
until they are over-tired and their body aches. This idea of fitness is outdated.
What they don't realize is that, in a short time using proper guidelines, the
initial tiredness or soreness will be replaced by increased energy for work and
recreation and an increased sense of well–being.
Since 1978, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has had an
influence on the medical and scientific communities with its position
statement on "The Recommended Quantity and Quality of Exercise for
Developing and Maintaining Fitness in Healthy Adults." For the first time
since 1978 the ACSM has revised its recommendations on exercise for healthy
adults. The new paper published in 1991 expands and revises advice on
cardiovascular fitness and body composition, and now recommends that you
add resistance training. This is new information to those of us who have
only cycled, ran, swam, watched our body weight and controlled our diet to
attempt to maintain fitness.
Balanced fitness can do more to ensure a long, healthy life than just about
anything else known to the medical community today. It's never too late to
start a fitness program but ideally, you should build strong muscles, flexibility
and a strong cardiovascular system early in life and enter the later years with
your physical potential at its maximum.
STEPS TO GETTING STARTED
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