If you take anything away from National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, it should be to exercise regularly.
Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health because of all the associated benefits. Exercise can help boost your mood, improve your sleep, reduce your risk of certain diseases, and make it easier to maintain a healthy bodyweight, among other gains.
Here are some beginner exercises you can do to start a new routine.
Squats
Doing squats is a simple lower-body exercise that really targets your glutes and quadriceps. There are many squat variations, but it’s best to perfect your form first.
To do a standard squat, stand with both feet shoulder-width apart and your toes facing forwards. Then, send your hips back and down, bending your knees into a squat. Be sure to keep your chest lifted as you drive your feet into the ground, to help you stand back up. Once you get the hang of it, you can incorporate some CanDo® Dumbbells for more of a challenge.
Push-ups
Push-ups are the go-to beginner exercise for your upper body. You can do push-ups just about anywhere and without the need for equipment. It’s important to ensure you have the proper position, so you feel the burn in your triceps, pectoral muscles, and shoulders.
To begin, assume a plank-like position, with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Keep your arms and legs straight. Then, bend your arms and lower your body so your chest nearly touches the floor. Then, use your arms and chest to push yourself back to the starting position. As you improve, you can challenge yourself by doing push-ups on more of an incline.
Deadlifts
Deadlifts are a great exercise that really targets your glutes, hamstrings, core, back and trapezius muscles. Not only are deadlifts effective at working on so many different muscle groups, but they can also help with everyday activities, like picking up groceries. Usually, deadlifts are performed with a bar but as a beginner, you can use a set of CanDo® Dumbbells.
To begin, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Hold the dumbbells in front of you at the shins and bend at the hips. Then, slowly bring yourself up until your body is parallel to the floor.
The Time to Start Is Now!
As you make a plan for your weekly workout routine, it’s important to set realistic goals. Simple goals that are easy to achieve gives a sense of accomplishment. You should be mindful of your limits, and if you feel any pain or discomfort, consult your doctor.
To check out our CanDo® Dumbbells, click here.
Article written by William Graves.