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OrthoRehab - Edina Physical Therapists

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You’re probably aware that exercise is one of the best things we can do for our body in terms of both short-term and long-term health. And while it’s hard to find a normal exercise routine that is detrimental to your health, not all exercise routines are the same, and some are much more beneficial for your health or a certain body part than others. In today’s blog, we share some tips for getting the most benefit from an exercise routine.

Maximizing The Benefits Of Exercise

Here are some ways to get the most out of your normal exercise routine.

  • Variation – Switching up your routine can be great for your body and really hammer home the benefits of exercise. For example, if running is your only form of exercise, your lower body will get a consistent workout, but your upper body and core may be overlooked. Eventually, this imbalance in muscle development can put you at an increased risk for injury. Varying your routine or working out different areas of your body will help muscles develop evenly. It can also help prevent your routine from feeling stagnant, which can decrease your desire to exercise.
  • Mind Your Mindset – Another helpful way to make exercise more enjoyable and get more out of your workout is to pay attention to your mindset. If you find yourself dreading your routine or just gritting your teeth and getting through the workout, it’s a sign you need to switch up your routine. While exercise may not be the most enjoyable activity of the day, it shouldn’t be something you dread. Having a good mindset can help you increase your distance, duration or repetitions, which will improve your results. But how can you find ways to make exercise more enjoyable? Some people find it easier to exercise if they are listening to music, watching television on a treadmill at the gym, or taking a yoga class with a friend. Tweak your exercise routine so that you look forward to it.
  • Talk To A PT – Regardless of whether you’re hoping to improve a specific aspect of your health or you just want to get more out of your standard exercise routine, reaching out to a physical therapist can be just what you need. We can help assess your health and your current workout to determine where you could be more efficient or which exercise you might want to add to your routine for maximum benefit. A number of our clients aren’t injured or recovering after surgery, they are healthy individuals who want to improve the way they exercise, and we’re glad to help!
  • Progression – Finally, even if you’ve found a balanced workout routine that you enjoy doing, it shouldn’t remain stagnant for long. In order to get the most out of your exercise routine, you need to push yourself a little bit. Add onto your mileage, increase your repetitions, add weight or beat a personal record. If you’re content with running the same distance and doing the same 40 minute routine in the gym, you’ll certainly be doing good by your body, but you won’t be maximizing your returns because you’re not trying to progress. It’s far from the worst thing you could be doing, but if you’re not pushing for gradual improvement, you won’t get the most out of your regular exercise.

For help with any aspect of your exercise routine, or to learn how to get the most out of your regular workout, reach out to the experienced physical therapy team at OrthoRehab Specialists today.

Dr. Andy Masis, PT
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