One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is staying fit. While dedication to your health is an admirable goal, it can also be an intimidating and confusing one. If you’re unsure where to start, it can feel impossible to get off the ground with a new fitness routine. Rather than getting overwhelmed and stopping before you make progress, give these three workout programs a try this new year.
75 Hard and Soft
The first fitness program you can try is the 75 hard or soft programs. These systems are designed to not only improve your fitness level, but also improve your overall lifestyle and social outlook. If you’re wondering ‘what is 75 hard?’ the answer isn’t as nerve-wracking as it sounds. For the hard program, you choose a period of 75 consecutive days to improve yourself. On these days, you do two 45-minute workouts, read 10 pages of a book, drink a gallon of water, and focus on clean eating. After the 75 days are done, you should see a difference in both your physical and mental well-being.
If you don’t have the time to commit fully to the 75 Hard program, the Soft version may be better for you. This variation takes out one of the daily workouts and adds in an active recovery day. The end result is one 45-minute gym session for six weekdays, three liters to a gallon of water a day, five pages of a book, and a focus on healthy eating. While this version of the program isn’t as strenuous, the results can still be drastic. Putting consistent effort into your fitness will always have positive effects.
At-Home HIIT Workouts
The second workout to try this year is the at-home HIIT programs. HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a system of exercise that elevates your heart rate into the fat-burning zone for a prolonged period of time. Unlike traditional forms of cardio like running or biking, you take breaks between short bursts of strenuous activity, allowing your endurance to keep up. For instance, you’ll do a high-intensity activity for 30 seconds before breathing for 15 and continuing. The small breaks will allow you to keep your heart rate up longer, improving your fitness level in turn.
One of the benefits of HIIT is that it can be done anywhere. If you don’t have a gym membership, you can still get the full benefits of high-intensity training from the comfort of your home. You don’t need fancy equipment, just a timer and your own body weight. Things like squats, jumping jacks, and stair steps can all be effective methods for HIIT. Just put your timer on, work your hardest for 30 seconds to a minute, and let your body rest for a few seconds. Repeat a few times, and you’ll have an effective workout in no time.
Outdoor Adventures
The final workout you should try this year involves getting outside. Whether you live in an urban setting or somewhere more rural, there are infinite possibilities for fitness in the great outdoors. The most popular workout worldwide is running, both on treadmills and outside. If you enjoy cardio training, lace up your favorite shoes and get outside for a run. Running is a great way to connect with your community and explore your surroundings. When you run, you can familiarize yourself with your area, learn more about nature, and make some friends on the trail.
If running isn’t your game, there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor fitness. For instance, getting involved in local sports or heading out for hikes are both great ways to improve your body while also benefiting your mental health. Even if you live in a concrete jungle, your area is sure to have parks or small nature preserves around where you can walk and enjoy the scenery. By getting outside, you can improve your health this New Year.
In summary, starting a new fitness habit as a New Year’s resolution doesn’t need to be intimidating. With these ideas, you can find a program to enjoy while you improve your body.
