Some fitness tips are pretty much common sense pieces of advice you could probably work out for yourself. However, there are some pretty surprising ways to rejuvenate your exercise routine and keep your wellbeing in tip-top shape.
1. Go Barefoot for Whole-Body Health: Wellness expert Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen details, ‘If you refuse to wear shoes in the summer, you may enjoy better blood circulation, a happier mood, stronger bones and better posture. According to Barefoot in Toronto, a group that promotes a barefoot lifestyle, barefoot walking increases skin health, reduces foot calluses, builds arch strength and enhances sensory stimulation. Going barefoot also creates healthier toenails and reduces foot odour.’
2. To Burn Fat, Don’t Sweat it: Pawlik-Kienlen explains, ‘Sweat signals a rising body temperature, not necessarily an increased calorie burn (although most of us will sweat as we work harder).’ Brad Schoenfeld, author of 28 Day Body Shapeover, points out, ‘In the sauna you’ll sweat buckets but you aren’t burning fat. The best indicator of calorie burn is either heart rate or a rating of perceived exertion (RPE).’
3. Yelling Increases Your Fitness Levels and Confidence: ‘IntenSati is “active meditation”—a fitness programme that uses the voice and mind to intensify physical workouts,’ says Pawlik-Kienlen. ‘Participants say or shout empowering affirmations while kicking, jumping or lunging. For example, while punching, they yell, “I. Am. Strong. Now!” These motivational phrases boost confidence and distract participants from feeling fatigued, which increases the workout benefits. If you can’t join the programme, you may want to try this one in the privacy of your home gym.’
4. Interval Training Gives You the Best Results: ‘You can do too much cardio,’ warns fitness lifestylist Susie Shina, author of 60 Second Circuits: 1000 Ways to Get Your Body Back. ‘To burn fat effectively, one-minute sprint/recover repeats (interval training) on any cardio machine for a total of 20 minutes can be more beneficial than exercising at a steady rate.’ Otherwise, you can tackle your intervals outside by walking, running, biking or skipping.
5. Bond with Others to Increase Your Focus and Motivation: Florida-based John Kent, owner of Adventure Boot Camp for Women, notes, ‘It’s not necessarily resistance training, cardio or core work that keeps you fit. It’s meeting with others.’ Pawlik-Kienlen adds, ‘Healthy bonding moments—such as running hills or attending Pilates classes in a group setting—keep you motivated and focused on your fitness goals.’
6. Take Celebrity Wellness Advice with a Pinch of Salt: Los Angeles-based fitness instructor Torri Shack cautions, ‘Don’t believe everything you read about how the stars stay fit. Many celebrities work out four to six days a week for up to 90 minutes each time, have professional trainers and eat a clean, very calorie-restrictive diet. They don’t “just” do Pilates or yoga twice a week.’
7. Being Too Busy Can Actually Improve Your Workout: Personal trainer Keith Morton, founder of CityWide SuperSlow in Chicago, comments, ‘People are surprised at how little exercise they need to get and stay fit. It’s the quality, not quantity, of exercise that counts.’ Mississauga-based fitness trainer Marc Lebert adds, ‘If I give myself 20 minutes to work my legs, I know I have to increase my intensity. A time limit makes every set count.’
8. Diet and Attitude Pack More of a Punch Than Exercise: ‘When it comes to changing the size and shape of your body, exercise is only 30% of it,’ asserts Ariane Hundt, a New York City-based certified personal trainer and instructor at Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp. ‘The rest needs to come from proper nutrition and a positive sense of self.’
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