Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or looking to improve your stamina, healthier lifestyle choices are imperative to your overall well-being.
To help you on your way, here are 15 quick fitness tips for men that you can start today.
- Eat clean
Look for hormone-free, natural foods which haven’t been overly processed. Avoid artificial flavors and colors and, when possible, buy fresh fruits, vegetables and meats.
- Don’t forget the cardio
Most men want large or defined muscles. But when you skip the cardio, you’re missing out.
Not only will you improve your heart and respiratory health, you’ll also increase blood flow to your muscles, making the weights that much more effective.
- Vary it up
For the best results, vary your workouts. Keep your body guessing as to what you’ll do next, and you’ll find that the quality of your workouts improves.
- Work out with a friend
Enlist a friend to work out with you. Not only will you both stay motivated, but a little competition may be the boost your workout needs.
- Avoid binge eating
You may be tempted to overeat, knowing you’ll work it off at the gym. Avoid binging. Binge eating can cause all kinds of problems. It’ll throw off your metabolism, potentially undoing all the good you’ve done.
- Work on core strength
Don’t forget to add a few sit-ups to your workout. You’ll improve your range of motion as well as improve your posture.
- Wear the right shoes
Properly fitting shoes are the first line of defense against injury. Visit a specialty retailer who will check your pronation, stride and arch.
- Warm up right
Instead of doing cardio to warmup, try a warmup that works the muscles you’re going to be working when you lift today.
- Don’t work out too long
Workouts lasting over an hour can actually increase cortisol, a hormone which actually breaks down tissue. That means you could be losing muscle.
- Chart yourself
There’s little more motivating than seeing your progress in writing. Jot down the specifics of your workout today, then keep up with progress over the year.
- Carbs are your friend
Your body needs carbs to fuel your workout. Be sure you’re getting ample carbohydrates throughout the day to boost your energy.
- Protein is good, too
Men who ate 4-6 ounces of protein per day saw more muscle gain than those who didn’t eat protein. Choose lean meats like chicken and fish.
- Skip the beer and drugs
Alcohol will decrease your body’s ability to burn fat and inhibits the absorption of nutrients. Drinking that pint will ensure your six-pack stays hidden. If you take drugs recreationally, you may also want to skip these. Commonly abused drugs can increase appetite and water retention. While drugs like Gabapentin can cause weight gain in other areas too.
- Get your rest
Talk to your doctor about how frequently you should exercise. It may do your body good to take a day off every now and then.
- Try something new
Exercise doesn’t have to happen in the gym. Instead, why not ride a bike, swim a few laps or even go fishing? Adding variety to your routine will keep you motivated.