Forward-thinking your fitness

Adding resistance:

You do not have to lift weights to add resistance. Being educated on how to use resistance bands in a standing or seated position can benefit your range of motion, and muscular strength, and increase stability around joint areas. Resistance bands can also be the starting point in eventually being able to use weight-based equipment that can also increase bone density, working the body under a sensible load.

Hopefully, this will begin to paint the picture of how progression through various levels of movement and using a variety of equipment can aid a forward planning process. Remember to work on this together with your fitness professional during an exercise review.

Chair-based exercise:

This can be performed individually or in a class with others who are working towards the same goal. Chair-based exercise over a period of time can lead to more time being able to stand whilst doing exercise, thus progressing your fitness levels. What is also important to consider is exercising with others can raise motivation and help you to sustain exercise for longer. Working with others adds that social aspect which also boosts mental wellbeing.

Water-based exercise:

The buoyancy of working out in water can relieve strain on the joints and allow the body to perform movements it could not achieve on land. But how does this tie into forward-planning? Adding any new element into your structure will always take time to get used to, as you gradually become more comfortable and confident. Getting in the water might be a challenge to overcome, which in itself will breed confidence and a sense of achievement. But imagine if this could lead to participating in an aqua fitness class, making new friends, and expanding your range of motion. Imagine how good that could feel.

Being new to exercise:

If you are new to the whole exercising game then finding your beginning point is extremely important. Everyone has a starting point that they need help with. It could be your initial gym induction, doing a class for the first time, or meeting your new exercise professional and getting to know them. Building a plan together and following that plan can really put you at ease from the start. Agreeing together short, medium, and long-term goals make progression easier. Not to say there will not be any bumps in the road, but that is only natural.

The continual exercise review process and looking at the basics of nutrition does not have to be done alone. You may consider personal training to help you, gaining small pieces of advice when you need it or joining in with a class and talking to others who are on the same path as yourself. Sharing ideas and gaining advice is a wonderful way to learn how to forward plan your fitness and allows you to enjoy it more.