Our self-esteem can often impact how we live our lives. The key to your success might therefore be a healthier, happier body. As a result, you might have the confidence to go after your goals and live your dream life. Check out the ten best exercises to help you achieve your dream body.
- Swimming
Swimming is the ideal workout for your body. Not only can it help you develop a stronger, more toned body, but it also offers a range of health benefits. For example, the water buoyancy can take the pressure off painful joints, as it allows you to move more fluidly in the water. It is therefore the perfect exercise for those living with arthritis. What’s more, swimming is also believed to improve your mental state, so it can considerably boost your mood.
- Tai Chi
Do you want to turn your life around? If so, you should consider Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art, which is a combination of movement and relaxation, which is good for both the mind and body. Enter an almost meditative state as you perform the exercise, which requires you to make graceful, transitional movements, so it is ideal for all ages and fitness levels. We therefore recommend taking a local Tai Chi class to get started, so you can develop the correct form.
- PiYo
Beachbody is responsible for some of the most intense exercises in recent years; however, they have recently launched the gentler exercise, PiYo. The workout offers the muscle-sculpting benefits of Pilates and the flexibility of yoga, which are both combined with non-stop movement, which can help you burn many calories whilst toning your muscles. It is therefore the ideal workout for those who want to shed the pounds, tone their body, and increase their flexibility. Convinced? Read an honest review here.
- Strength Training
Strength training is not just for bodybuilders. The workout is suitable for both men and women, as you can lift light weights that will not add bulk onto your muscles. It is an effective weight loss exercise, as the more muscles you have, the easier it will be for your body to burn calories. However, you must adopt the correct form when you first start with strength training. We therefore recommend starting light with only one or two pounds, before increasing the weight to one or two pounds more after a few weeks.
- Walking
Do you want to maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones, lift your mood, and improve your cholesterol and blood pressure levels? If so, we recommend you start walking more each day. In addition to improving your physical health, it can also lower the risk of various diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes. It has also been found to prevent age-related memory loss.
So, grab a pair of supportive walking shoes, and start walking between 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Gradually walk a little further and faster each day until you are walking between 30 to 60 minutes most days.
- Squats
If you want to burn a substantial number of calories, it’s time to start squatting. That’s because the exercise uses the largest muscle group in the body. The up-and-down workout almost resembles the motion of moving up and down from a chair.
Anyone new to the exercise should start squatting by standing up and down from a chair, which will allow them to adopt the proper form. Ensure you keep your back straight with your feet spread apart to shoulder length, whilst keeping your arms extended, before going downwards, allowing your buttocks to touch the chair before return to the standing position. Once you feel confident, you can stop using the chair to perform squats.
- Interval Training
Any form of interval training can help you to quickly lose weight and tone your body, as it creates a spike in your heart rate, which will drop and then rise once again. As a result, it will allow you to burn more calories and boost your metabolism.
One of the most popular forms of interval training is indoor cycling, which is an effective form of cardio. It also allows you to target different muscles across your body, such as the quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core. The more muscles you use during interval training, the more calories you will burn along the way. If you don’t like cycling, interval training is also adaptable to running, walking and other forms of cardiovascular activity.
- Boxing
Boxing is a natural form of interval training. While many people believe boxing is all about arm strength, it requires you to use power from your core. The exercise will also target other muscles that are commonly ignored in other forms of exercise, such as the obliques. Beginners should learn the correct form from a boxing instructor, who will help improve your intensity levels.
- CrossFit
Vary your workout with CrossFit. One moment you will be swinging kettlebells and the next you will be performing box jumps or rope climbs. The short, intense exercises will keep your workouts exciting, whilst helping you burn calories and shed the pounds. It is important to exercise with the help of an experienced CrossFit coach, who can help push your body further whilst preventing injuries.
- Yoga
While yoga might not be the best exercise for weight loss, it can improve your muscular strength, flexibility, and general health. It is a superb physical activity for improving stability, balance, and functional strength. As it is almost a meditative exercise, it can help to support a person’s mental health. We therefore recommend enjoying yoga at least once per week, which you can perform either in a class or within the comfort of your own home.
Do you know any superb exercises that we have missed off our list? Have you tried any of the above exercises? Please share your tips and stories in the comment section below.