For those who can't seem to stick to an exercise program there is an exercise program that will produce positive changes and it does not require hours in the gym. Start by finding out what is the least amount of exercise that will produce the most change instead of seeing how much exercise you can withstand. Add to that modest dietary changes and engage in recreational activities you enjoy. This is a siimple formula anyone can follow.
For the most change in all aspects of fitness in the least time spent exercising nothing compares to a method of strength training called High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) - non-stop strength training, absolutely no rest between exercises. People of any age can do this; in fact those who are older have the most to gain. A knowledgeable trainer will know what the proper amount of intensity is for each individual and when to increase that intensity.
A properly designed HIIT program performed once or twice a week for 20 to 30 minutes will produce continuing improvements in strength, muscle, tone, flexibility, resistance to injury, bone density, resting metabolism, and cardiovascular condition. No other exercise regime addresses all those aspects of fitness simultaneously - none. These improvements in your fitness will enable you to engage in those recreational activities you enjoy and other more vigorous activities longer, and this too will redound positively to your health.
People of any level of fitness can benefit. Below are two examples of people at opposite ends of the fitness spectrum who train using high intensity interval training:
Laurence Cohen has been a competitive tri-athlete for more than 20 years. His performances have always been good, but now he is getting better. A few years back he participated in the New York City Triathlon. He did well but did not win his age group. Three yea
rs later at the age of age 49, he finished 24th overall in the New York City Triathlon with over 3000 participants. As the oldest in his age group, 45 to 49, he finished first beating the nearest competitor more than five minutes.
Most importantly he beat his time by a wide margin from the last time he participated in the NYC Triathlon three years earlier. He was Louisiana's tri-athlete of the year for 2004. He attributes a large part of his success to this unique strength training program.
Marcus at age 72 could play just nine holes, and the next day he was too rundown to play again. He began training 30 minutes once a week. A year later he was playing 18 holes, and the next day he'd play 18 holes again. He was hitting the ball farther and enjoying golf again. Perhaps most importantly of all, he received the added health benefits of walking those additional 27 holes.
One can live well without requiring hours each week engaged in monotonous exercise. Significant strength increases occur exercising as little as once or twice a week IF it's the right exercise program with the right trainer. The fitness trainers at Kelly Personal Training in Austin and the fitness trainers at Ultimate Fitness Personal Trainers in New Orleans can guide you through a HIIT personal training program that will produce the results that will keep you coming back.
