Welcome back to this week’s edition of 2-Minute Tuesdays where we are talking about one exercise topic for two minutes and giving you three reasons why you should follow our advice. Now this week, we are talking to those of you who are feeling less than 100%. How can you make sure to still get your workouts in, and what things do you need to keep in mind with your workouts, if you are feeling less than 100%?
1) Stay Moving, But Keep It Light
Exercise Tip Number One If You Are Feeling Less Than 100%: Stay moving, but keep it light. Exercise is a great way to keep your body moving, raise up some endorphins, and help you feel a little bit better, but make sure you don’t push it too hard.
Action Step: Unless your doctor orders otherwise, do your best to not sit around all day. Even if you are ill, getting up and moving for 10 minutes every hour or two can make such a big difference in how you feel throughout the day and your recovery time.
Related: Exercise Tips If You Are Sore
2) Cut Your Regular Workouts To 25%
Exercise Tip Number Two If You Are Feeling Less Than 100%: Take your regular workouts and cut those down to 25% of what you would normally do. You don’t need to think of brand new workouts to do if you are feeling ill; think of what you would normally do and just back off of that to 25% of the volume and load that you are accustomed to.
Action Step: What have you been doing consistently for your workouts? Whatever that is, cut it down to 25% and you will have your workout for the day when you don’t feel well.
Related: Exercise Tips If You Aren’t Sleeping Well
3) Prioritize Weights Over Cardio
Exercise Tip Number Three If You Are Feeling Less Than 100%: Prioritize weight training over cardiovascular exercise. You see, cardio really uses the body, and can often times been too stressful for the body, whereas with weight training you can strategically challenge specific muscles and areas of your body. This will help to make sure that your muscles don’t get down-regulated and your joints stay healthy.
Action Step: Not sure of what you should be doing in the gym when it comes to lifting weights? Check out our Virtual Membership Program and enroll to receive customize exercise programming for your body!