Workouts for Every Level

The program encourages you to get at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity, but you might find barriers to hitting that goal right now. A common barrier that you may experience is that your level of fitness is not quite there yet. You may find 150 minutes to be beyond your reach, for example, or you might notice that any workout you try seems too hard.

Do not worry. Regardless of your level, from chair exerciser to athlete, you can find appropriate activities that get you closer to you health goals.

Overcoming Discomfort

Before you start, ask your doctor for clearance to be sure that the workouts you are planning are appropriate and safe. Then, be sure that you are following good practices. Start with a warm-up and end with a cool-down followed by stretching, and wear proper shoes and comfortable clothing.

Then, you can work on choosing a workout that is right for your level and your body. For example, if you have bad knees or ankles, you may need a low-impact impact workout, such as walking or low-impact aerobics, that does not involve running or jumping. You may need a non-impact activity, such as swimming or pilates. If you have been experiencing discomfort such as hyperventilating or burning lungs, you may simply need to lower the intensity.

Activity Ideas for Every Level

There are exercises for any level. These are some ideas. Whatever you choose, you can burn calories and make progress towards your goals.

• Beginner: walking on level ground or a treadmill without an incline, cycling on a stationary recumbent bicycle, strength training moves, such as squats, lunges, calf raises, and arm raises, without weights.
• Intermediate: brisk walking, hiking on moderate terrain, gardening, doubles tennis, aerobics, water aerobics, resistance training with high repetitions and low weight.
• Advanced: running, cycling or elliptical workouts with intervals, walking or hiking uphill, singles tennis, basketball, circuit training at the gym with plyometric moves, kettlebell workouts, lap swimming step aerobics.

Working Out with the Jones’

There are times when you may want to do a workout that is designed for people who are more fit or less fit than you. For example, you might find a cool workout online that you want to try, or jump into a group fitness class. 

Know that you can modify almost any workout to your level. These are some ways to make workouts easier. If you need to make them harder, just do the opposite.

• Shorten them. For example, start with 10 minutes of a 30-minute workout.
• Take breaks. Go for 5 or 10 minutes at a time, then rest for 1 to 2 minutes or until you are recovered, then jump back in. If you are in a group fitness class, just let the teacher know before class that you may do that.
• Use lighter weights or no weights. You can go through the motions and still get a great workout if you cannot use the dumbbells or other weights with good form.
• Go hard for less time and take more rest between hard intervals. If you are doing an interval workout, do half the prescribed “hard” sections, and rest until the next one starts.
• Go easier. That can mean using less weight, walking slower, or keeping it low-impact instead of jumping off the floor.

You can work out effectively to lose weight and improve fitness no matter what your fitness level is. The tricks are to stay within yourself and to not compare yourself to anyone else.