No-Gym Workouts

Get fit without weights or exercise equipment.

Walking is the most attainable form of exercise, and has many benefits. Arek Adeoye/Unsplash

Getting fit and staying that way has many benefits, from improved overall health to better self-image and confidence. Improved endurance and clothes that fit better are other possible benefits of starting and sticking with a health improvement routine.

Workout Basics

However, the first step is not to put on sweatpants but to contact a physician. Any form of exercise, no matter how moderate, takes a toll, so it is imperative to discuss any new exercise plan with a physician to get their advice and approval. The goal of exercise is to get fit, not inadvertently discover any previously unknown health issues. With the doc’s ok in place, the next step is to set goals. This makes it easier to choose which areas of the body to target and to develop appropriate exercise techniques.

There are no wrong reasons to get fit, but a reasonable timeframe may be required, subject to current fitness levels. That just means to be realistic if the goal is massive weight loss; Rome wasn’t built in a day, and optimal fitness likewise requires a lot of time, effort, and self-discipline to stick with it, which is often the largest obstacle to overcome. In order to see results and keep them coming, it is suggested that individuals exercise at least three times per week. The only way to stay fit is to stay active; any significant breaks in this schedule can result in backsliding.

Walking for Fitness

The most attainable form of exercise is walking; according to the Mayo Clinic, it is possible to achieve healthy benefits that include stronger bones, improved cardiovascular function, improved energy level, better sleep, weight maintenance or reduction, a stronger immune system, reduced stress or tension, as well as better balance and coordination, simply by walking. Reaping the full benefits of walking does, of course, require more than a casual stroll around the house. To walk to good health, the Mayo Clinic suggests a daily brisk walk. The distance and pace will vary for each individual according to their current levels of fitness, with the goal of extending the distance and increasing the pace over time.