Congratulations! You’re considering a new fitness program to help achieve your goals.
With only one in three adults getting the recommended amount of physical activity each week, you’re aiming to be that one in three.
Of course, there are many factors to think about when you’re considering a new workout routine. The following are more than four questions you should ask first.
How is my health?
Exercising to improve your health or maintain good health is fantastic, but if you start something new with an existing health condition without consulting your doctor first, it could be dangerous.
Regardless of whether you have high blood pressure, joint problems, diabetes, or anything else, it’s important to create a plan.
Your plan starts with discussing any conditions with your doctor and then sharing those conditions with the instructors of the fitness program you’re about to start. This second part is key because instructors need to know everything possible so that they can tailor exercises to your body as needed, which keeps you safe.
Is this the best workout for me?
With social media, it’s easy to get lured by various “fad workouts” or whatever the latest trends might be. But just because something is popular, it doesn’t mean that it’s right for you.
Before committing to any new program, see if you can try a class for free first or book a free consultation or tour to get a sense of what’s involved.
Remember that each body is different, including yours.
Will this workout lead to overdoing it or slacking off?
When it comes to judging our own fitness levels, it’s easy to be off by a long shot. But whether the new fitness program we’re beginning feels like it may be pushing us too hard or not hard enough, either should be avoided.
You can tell that you’re overdoing it if you’re too sore to return the next day or the day after that. Soreness itself is not a bad thing. But if it’s almost impossible to function normally, that’s something to take note of.
On the flip side, you can tell if you’re slacking off if you’re bored, not engaged, and/or don’t feel challenged.
Ideally, you want to feel 80 percent successful and 20 percent challenged. Listen to your body during every workout.
At Kaia FIT, that’s why we focus on personalized training in a group atmosphere. You get the benefit of community connection with the attention you’d expect from a personal trainer.
Will this workout help me reach my goals?
The answer entirely depends on your goals, of course. But remember that nothing is entirely isolated.
Strength-training exercises are still needed for weight loss (not just cardio).
Improving your endurance still requires some flexibility, strength, and balance exercises.
Make sure that you sit down and really think through the goals of your fitness and health journey. What motivates and excites you? What vision of the future lights you up when you think about it? Identify your goals, and start there.
Additional questions to ask yourself
Of course, there’s always more to consider when starting a new fitness program, based on your lifestyle. Here are a few examples:
- Do I have enough time for this workout? If not, how can I make more time for it?
- Am I motivated to stick with this new fitness program? What can I do on the difficult and challenging days?
- Does my schedule accommodate this new fitness program? Can any adjustments be made to my schedule, or do I need to find a different program?
- Can I afford this new fitness program? If not, are there flexible pricing options I can explore?
In conclusion
Ultimately, only you will know whether a new fitness program is right for you. When researching new workout programs, ask yourself these questions. And remember, you never know until you try!
Kaia FIT is a women’s fitness and nutrition program that empowers women to become the best version of themselves through personalized coaching in a group environment. We prioritize community to help connect women to each other for additional support and accountability. Caren Roblin is the owner of Kaia FIT Sierra, with four studio locations in Reno-Sparks.