For somebody given the okay by their doctor to start exercising, the hardest part can be knowing where to start. The fit stars in exercise videos make every move and stretch look so easy, but looks can be deceiving. Unless you are as fit as they are, it won’t be as easy for you to build lean muscle in a healthy way.
Even if you manage to get in the same exact pose as they are in, you may wonder why your foot is not in the same place as theirs is. After a while you will figure out that it was because you had extra padding blocking your foot, that they did not have. It can be discouraging. It’s best to learn to celebrate every little accomplishment until you gain your momentum.
Burning fat and blasting calories should be the first on the list of things to do. The best way to do that is to choose a cardiovascular workout that you can do, and commit to doing it every day. Exercise machines have come a long way and can be a great place to start.
1. The Treadmill
The treadmill goes all the way back to the 1800’s. It was originally used in agriculture. Animals walked on them to power various farm equipment. In 1952 the treadmill was put to medical use to diagnose and evaluate heart and lung disease, but it was very expensive and not available to the general public. Finally, in the 1970’s the treadmill was produced and sold as a piece of aerobic exercise equipment.
People have their choice of running or walking on the treadmill, both burns calories, but running outdoors is not a practical choice for everybody. The weather can throw a serious monkey wrench in a runner’s workout routine. Those who love to run also need to be very cautious of the neighborhood they run in. Not only can strangers be a threat, but stray animals can be pretty scary too. For people who choose to run or walk daily to burn fat, the treadmill is a good option to have.
2. The Stairmaster
The Stairmaster is a machine that made it’s debut in the 1980’s. It can be used for a good cardio workout to burn calories and fat just like the treadmill, and some people feel that it is less monotonous than just walking. When the stair machine first came on the scene it was primarily used to target the Glute Muscles. When it is used consistently it does a good job of shaping the butt. About ten years after the Stairmaster came out, the best of both machines in one, hit the market, the elliptical.
There are a lot of versions of the elliptical trainer, and they come in all price ranges. It is a good idea to start with one of the more modest priced machines because there is not much of a difference between those and the higher priced models.
Learning how to effectively use one of these machines is much like learning how to walk. It just takes determination. Start at the lowest level you are comfortable with, and go for as long as you can. Soon you will be able to go for longer periods of time on higher levels. After a few weeks you will be able to set specific caloric and distance orientated goals for yourself. Many rewards will follow this new healthy habit, but one of the first you will notice is your sense of pride in yourself for taking a real step in the direction of a more fit future.
