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Do you have workout goals? Why do you exercise? Most people have goals they want to achieve such as weight management, muscle tone, fat-loss, strength gain, increased energy and stamina, etc. But quite frankly, most people hate the thought of having to exercise. It brings up images of sweating in public places wearing non-flattering spandex. Nothing compares to exercise and everyone should be doing it. The trick is to find a way to do it that is fun and motivating for you. You need a good reason to exercise; this may be health related or it may include a big event such as a wedding, reunion, or even a friendly competition. Whatever your motive is, think about it long and hard. Think about the feeling you will have once you achieve whatever it is you want to accomplish.

Set Doable Workout Goals

You need a target in order to hit it! That may seem obvious, but it needed to be said. That is why goal setting is crucial to any personal exercise system. You want to set short term and long term goals. Try setting a short term goal to be reached in three to six weeks. By doing so, you can make adjustments and stay on track to your larger goal. The long term goal is your motive that you have already visualized. It is your apex, it is not however the end. Once you have achieved it you will re-evaluate and set new goals.

Here’s a hint: Short-term weight goals are rarely attainable; if what you are looking for is a more attractive you, then set a measurements goal. If you adjust your eating and adopt an exercise program, you may replace water and fat with muscle, and weight losses will be minimal if anything at first. Decide you want a flatter tummy, slimmer arms, and so on. Weight loss can be part of a long term goal, but doesn’t usually work well as a short term one.

How Do You Get There?

Find the right way to achieve your workout goals. Which way is fast and fun? This is the most important question we ask ourselves in the beginning of our personal exercise system. However this question should be asked each time a short term goal is reached to prepare for the next. We all have different goals, physical capabilities and lifestyles. There is no “one size fits all” exercise system, you have to decide what will work for you. Susan found that parking as far from her work as she could and walking up the stairs instead of using the elevator was plenty of exercise at first; Tony played with his dog every night after work (frisbee and hitting a baseball for him to chase); Greg watched tv after dinner while riding an exercise bike. All of them take a walk every morning before work.

Add Variety To Your Exercise

Once you begin an exercise system, remember that your body will adapt to that program in four to six weeks time. When this happens your body will then reach a plateau in producing results. This is why variety in whatever you do is important. You can vary the number of sets of exercises, how many repetitions of each one, the amount of intensity, the amount of rest time between exercises. Over time, vary what you do – swimming, golfing, walking, jogging, bike riding, skiing, and so on.

Not only does your personal exercise system stay productive, but it keeps it from becoming boring. Remember, exercise time is supposed to be fun, which can make reaching your goals very exciting and easy.

Workout Goals: Gym Membership or Workout At Home

Are you considering a gym membership or home workout? Pros and cons to each one of these, and in the end it all depends on what your goals are. I find that examining the challenges that each present for long term commitment is a better way to figure out which is right for you. Since the goal is to create a new lifestyle, a habit, and anything that impedes that formation should be carefully considered or avoided. In the end, what you need to decide is which of these two you can best commit to. Which one will heighten the odds of your continuously working out, and let that be the deciding factor.

First, quick rundown of the benefits provided by a gym. A wide array of expensive equipment and free weights. Professional staff that can assist you or provide personal trainers or cardio classes if you are so inclined. The opportunity to people watch while you are working out. A monetary commitment that may induce you to keep going so as to not have wasted your money.

The cons are subtle, but powerful. You have to drive there, and often that very commute can be enough over time to dissuade you from going. Sometimes the ambience is annoying, due to either a kind of crowd that can be off-putting , annoying music, incompetent staff, or unwanted attention from others when you’re trying to focus on your workout. Gyms can get crowded during peak hours, making it frustrating to work out when all the weights or machines are taken. The time added to your total workout time by the commute can make fitting the gym workout into your schedule an onerous task. Being watched by others while trying to get in shape can be awkward. Especially if you’re not comfortable with your body. Finally, and strangely enough, the sheer variety of machines and workout options can be overwhelming.

Workout Goals: The Pros And Cons of Home Workout

To achieve your workout goals, you should know the pros and cons of home workout. The pros of working out at home are obvious. First, you can work out whenever you like, cutting out time spent driven in the car and making your schedule much more flexible. You are working out in private, and thus need not worry about unwanted attention, whether due to your being attractive and bothered by others, or not considering yourself attractive and being embarrassed about being watched. You need never wait to use your own weights. The convenience of being at home allows you to shower in your own bathroom, to make a recovery shake in your own kitchen right when you want it, and to play your own music at any volume out loud and not over earphones.

The cons, however, can be insidious. Nothing is easier to resist than a home work out when you are exhausted or not in the mood. There can be a lack of drive due to being in your own home that makes sticking to a home work out a challenge, given how easy it is to instead opt to watch TV or stay in bed in the mornings. You have to purchase your own home equipment, whether that be home fitness DVD’s or free weights. Maybe you have no space at home to put a small gym in. You have to provide your own stimulation to workout, since there is no monetary commitment or role models working out around you to inspire you. Finally, it can be lonely to work out alone without people about you to watch or converse with.

Personal Preferences

To achieve your workout goals, you should know which is best. Clearly it depends on your personal style. Suppose a gym membership costs $40/month, than a year’s worth of payments can amount to almost $500. Which is more than enough to deck out your own home gym. If you are a social person who enjoys watching fit people workout, being alone in a home gym might be boring. If you are overweight and very self conscious, learning how to work out in front of regular gym goers might be awkward.

What you need to do is be honest with your own goals, decide how committed you are, and see which set of pros and cons fit you best. Remember: the goal is to be able to commit to a lifestyle change, to adopt a new habit that will prove to more than 3 week fad. Thus be honest with yourself, and when you decide to commit, make that commitment as sincere as you can.