Getting into an exercise routine can be difficult. Whether you’ve been prescribed exercises by your physio or you’re just trying to become more active try these 6 tips to increase your chance of success!
1 - SET A DATE AND TIME
You need to program a time in your schedule that is yours. This needs to be non-negotiable. If you say that you will exercise twice this week but don’t schedule it your unlikely to be successful.
2 - PRIORITISE AND BE DISCIPLINED
Things will always come up but treat your exercise appointment the same way you treat your doctor’s appointments! Rather than procrastinate about commencing exercise procrastinate about cancelling you exercise appointment. Let’s face it you’re not always going to feel like doing it. But it’s through those difficult times that growth occurs.
3 - SET A REMINDER
Leave a reminder in your phone 45-60 minutes before so that you are mentally and physically prepared to leave to make your exercise appointment (IF NOT COMPLETING IT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING).
4 - BE PREPARED
Pack your bag or set your clothes out the night before. Unknown factors will always creep in. Don’t let not having your gear ready be an excuse!
5 - MORNING IS BEST
We recommend mornings… getting up early means this is your time before the kids rise, emails start rolling in or issues reveal themselves at work. Waiting to exercise at the end of the day is fraught with danger as uncontrollable events will always creep in.
6 - MAKE IT EASY
Keep it simple in the beginning. Having to travel long distances to your exercise destination is a shore fire way to increase noncompliance. Choose an easily accessible location and have a fall-back plan. If you sleep in past your alarm or do an all-nighter completing something for work have an alternative exercise option you can choose to keep the wheels in motion. This could be as simple as 20 burpees or a little bodyweight circuit at home. This way there are no excuses.
If you are still having difficulty with compliance you might like to try our I Commit Exercise Classes. These are Physiotherapist designed classes that take your unique injury history and goals into consideration when the physiotherapist designs your personal program.
Written By:
Tim Delvins
Sports Physio