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Getting Fit for Life

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Getting Fit for Life

Finding time to schedule exercise in a busy lifestyle can be easier said than done. In between juggling your work day and personal activities, your daily workout can often fall to the last priority on your schedule.

Cooper Fitness Center Professional Fitness Trainer David P. Williams offers simple suggestions to make time for exercise with a busy work week.

What Motivates You?
The first step to maintaining a daily exercise routine is to find out what motivates you. Everyone has different motivations for exercising, so you must figure out what your driving force is. Do you want to be able to play with your grandkids? Is your goal to run a 5K? Asking yourself these types of questions is key to understanding where your inspiration comes from and what it will take to get you to start moving on a daily basis.

Find a Time That Works
Another important factor is determining what time of day works best for your schedule to get a workout in. Research proves being fit reduces the risk of death from all causes by 58 percent. Like brushing your teeth or taking a shower, exercise must be an essential part of your daily life. Choose a time of day to exercise where you set yourself up to succeed.

If you are a morning person, early morning workouts can often be easier to build into a routine and maintain consistency. Once you get out of bed and head to the gym, you can check your workout off your list. You may also find yourself feeling more productive and less sluggish throughout the day.

If you do not function well in the morning, select a time to workout that works best with your body. Most gyms offer shorter fitness classes during the lunch hour, catering to fit the busy professional's schedule. From cycle class to yoga, there are multiple options to get an effective workout in a short period of time.

High-Intensity Training
If you are looking to squeeze in a quick, challenging workout, Tabata training is a popular workout regimen for people with limited time to exercise. Developed by Dr. Izumi Tabata for Japanese athletes, this high-intensity exercise offers amazing benefits, including increased aerobic and anaerobic capacity and improved body fat levels.

To perform a Tabata, choose an exercise and begin as many repetitions possible for 20 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds. A four-minute cycle equals one Tabata. It is recommended to incorporate 8-10 Tabatas in one workout for optimal conditioning. Many mobile devices offer free apps to time and guide your Tabata workouts, such as Tabata Timer or Seconds. Click here to watch David demonstrate a short Tabata workout.

If you are ready to start down the road to wellness, follow these tips to save time and get fit!

For more information about Cooper Fitness Center Dallas, click here or call 972.233.4832.

Article provided by Cooper Aerobics Marketing and Communications.