Boost Your Body’s Power at Freedom Fitness

Here’s a question for you. How does your body handle exertion?

We’re not just referring to your exercise at our Corpus Christi health clubs; we’re also talking about daily tasks like taking the stairs, carrying groceries, and playing with your kids. Do you get winded easily?

That’s one measure of your body’s level of endurance. The better your endurance, the easier it will be to accomplish moderate to high intensity activities. Your heart will pump more efficiently, your lungs will work more effectively, and your metabolism will burn more calories.

Sounds great, right? But if you’re not a consistent gym-goer, knowing how to build endurance effectively is the first step. Even if you’re an avid lifter or runner, switching up your routine on the regular (and keeping your brain guessing) boosts endurance for greater gains.

Gym Newbie? Start Slowly.

Pick an exercise you’ll enjoy and begin with as little as 15 minutes a day. Grab some headphones and jump on a treadmill or pedal on an indoor bike. Working large muscle groups, like your glutes, is a great place to start. Stretch first and don’t overdo it. Over time you can increase the amount of time, your speed, or the intensity (like adding a bit of an incline).

It’s also important to switch it up a little with exercise that targets muscles. Circuit training is a simple yet effective workout that combines both cardio and strength training tasks.

Already an Athlete? Challenge Yourself.

Keep your routine fresh and exciting – and prevent muscle overuse – by mixing it up. If the treadmill is your favorite, add the stair climber occasionally. Or supplement your training with explosive movements like burpees, plyo boxes, and lunges. The goal is to move muscles differently to improve both cardio- and muscular endurance.

Whatever activity you choose to work out, be sure to stretch before/after your exercise and stay hydrated.

We hope we’ve given you a few ideas — and we’ll see you at the gym!