Creating a Workout Routine

One of the most common questions I get from beginners is

"How Do I Make My Own Routine?"

Well, obviously there are tons of variables that go into answering this question but I'm going to lay out some of the basics for you all. These are all the questions I feel need to be addressed prior to choosing a workout or nutrition program.

First off...what's your goal?

What are you looking to get from starting a specific workout program? Maybe you want to lose a couple pounds before the summer hits (common right now). Maybe you're looking to get stronger and gain muscle. Maybe you just want to live a healthier lifestyle. Whatever goal or goals you may be setting for yourself- make them realistic but accurate as to what you truly want.

To re- iterate on what I mean by making it "realistic," I'm simply talking about making your decisions on specific goals carefully. I usually tell clients that every goal is possible but please take into account how long it may have taken you to get to this starting point or how long you have been there. If you have been sedentary for years, choosing shorter term goals prior to your lofty goals may be a better choice. If you have been exercising for a while now but want to take your fitness to the next level- consider the dedication that would require and see if that is a lifestyle you can make happen. Your starting point, previous injuries, previous workout experience are all things to consider as well.

Dedication

Last, but certainly not least, is your Dedication level. How much time, energy, and effort will you commit to your goals? Think about the goals you have and then think about from a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) how important are you those to you?

There's nothing wrong with it not being a 10. This is something I think doesn't get addressed enough in fitness. You don't need to be dedicated at a level 10 for fitness to be part of your life. I train plenty of clients that fitness falls into the background of their life. What's important to remember is that they used to not have fitness in their lives at all, so even if they are only dedicated at a level of 5 or 6, that's much better than where they have been.

Once all of these questions have been answered- I feel that only then can I truly begin to help a client. From this point, I would start to talk about workout frequency, intensity, duration, nutritional counseling, and more. But please, don't overlook the things I covered in this article- this truly in the foundation of any quality program.

Please feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments. I'm more than happy to discuss or help if I can. Take care everyone and I hope you finish your weeks workouts strong!