Fitness experts all agree that exercising is key to maintaining a healthy body and an active lifestyle. Even with your busy lifestyle, you should try to find time, or even make time, to exercise routinely. This article features many tips that can help you workout quickly and efficiently so you can spend the least amount of time yet get all the benefits of exercising.

You can substantially boost your fitness level by walking. To increase the fitness benefit, take each step with your heel before your toe. This gives your calves more of a workout. You can also work the arms by bending your elbows and then swinging your arms every time you take a step.

When looking for another way to improve fitness sometimes one needs to look no further than their pet dog. By taking the dog on walks around the neighborhood or specific trails an individual can increase the amount of exercise they and their pet get. Apart from all the extra exercise and the benefits from that one will strengthen the bond between owner and their pet.

To stay fit, forget the phrase, “No pain, no gain!” This phrase is absolutely untrue! If you do a workout that causes you to suffer, you will be highly unlikely to continue to do it consistently. Instead of choosing exercise routines and forms of exercise that cause you distress, choose activities that you enjoy and want to do. Consistency is far more important in pursuing, attaining, and maintaining fitness than intensity.

Remember that your fitness needs change as you age, especially regarding flexibility. When you reach middle age, you need to devote even more time to stretching before and after your workout. This helps keep your muscles pliable and prevents cramping after workouts as well as helping reduce the risk of injury.

A really good way to help you get fit is to put up pictures of your ideal body around your house. By constantly being aware of the body you want to have, you’ll be more likely to stick with your fitness goals. You can get creative with where you place these pictures.

Exercise can really change your life for the better. Apply these easy tips to make your workout easy and fast, while achieving great results. Although you might not appreciate the importance of exercise in your daily routine, once you start, you won’t be able to go back. You feel younger, more energetic, and even in a better mood.