Fitness For All Types (Continued)

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BEGINNER LEVEL

For the absolute neophyte – someone who is working out for the very first time in their life – it’s important to know that you are starting exactly where even the most seasoned exercisers themselves started out: at the beginning. As far as your current level of fitness is concerned, you shouldn’t feel any shame. You’re there; in the gym, at the local high school track, or even in your home on a treadmill. You’re doing it. You’re making the effort to make yourself a fitter, healthier you. You should be proud of yourself for making this commitment to better health.

That all being said, let’s get started!

This beginner workout is a good introduction to making exercise a part of your healthy routine. Try this Monday through Friday regimen and you’ll see a change in your level of fitness after just a few weeks!

Monday

• Walk at a moderate pace for ten-to-fifteen minutes. If you are unable to walk for this duration of time, make efforts to walk for eight minutes.
• Two (2) sets of very light dumbbell military press (12-15 repetitions) (*Note: Choose a weight that you can use to comfortably perform all prescribed reps).

Wednesday

• Climb a set of 10 stairs eight times, resting thirty seconds in between each complete trip up and then back down
• Two (2) sets of very light dumbbell curls (12-15 repetitions)

Friday

• Go back to your moderately paced ten-to-fifteen minute walk. Again, if you find this to be too strenuous, try cutting back to eight minutes.
• Two (2) sets of very light dumbbell military presses (12-15 repetitions)

Follow this routine for four weeks, at which time you should evaluate your progress. If you feel as though this routine has become too easy, try increasing the duration of time that you walk. Or, you can also try increasing the speed and intensity of your effort. (For example, if you’ve been walking in your flat neighborhood, try out some nearby hills to change it up.) If you are still finding this routine to be quite difficult, then remain at this level until your body adapts.

Now, fast forward several months, and you’re looking and feeling like a million bucks. Or even like just twenty grand. The point is that you’re making progress and you know it. The beginner workout you’ve been following now seems a bit remedial, and your results seem to be tapering off. The good news: This is a clear sign that you’ve made considerable progress, something of which you should be very proud. The bad news: It may be time to ramp up your workout to the intermediate level!!

Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 4/08