(2 questions) Will this be enough? And How often should you change your exercise routine?

One Comment

1. Ed says:

   February 6, 2010 at 3:33 am

   Generally, what you have mentioned here represents the foundation of a good exercise program. You are covering two of the key components of fitness here: endurance and strength.

   Swimming and running are two of the best aerobic endurance activities out there. You should shoot for a minimum of thirty minutes per session if you are in decent shape. Challenge yourself to improve, to cover the same distance in a little less time. Try sprinting at intervals during your routine, then cutting back to a slower, sustainable pace.

   As far as strength training is concerned, focus on resistance exercises you can do for ten to fifteen reps at a time. This will help develop lean, functional muscles.

   You have left out exercises which develop flexibility and coordination. Look into yoga and/or Pilates. Without flexibility training, you will most likely find your fitness program forestalled by muscle strains. I have included links to get started with flexibility training.

   Changing your exercise routine once in a while is a good thing. It forestalls boredom, and works different muscles. Take a vacation to go cross-country skiing. Run stadium steps hard for a week or two. Visit a gym and use their machines.

   Once in a while, do something to develop coordination too. Tennis, hacky sacking, juggling, baskeball are examples of activities to develop coordination. All you need is three tennis balls or three oranges to get going with juggling.

   I hope you continue on your path toward total fitness. Without health, wealth means nothing.