How To Start a Workout Program

Develop some exercise goals. What do you want to accomplish with your workout plan? If you want to lose weight, you need a lot of cardio exercise to get your heart pumping. If you want to bulk up, you need to lift a lot of heavy weight. If you want to do both in moderation or just feel healthier, try a cross-training workout with a little of both. Write down specific numeric goals, such as "I want to lose 30 pounds" or "I want to be able to bench press 100 pounds." Then break them into smaller goals to reach periodically.

Start slow. The easiest way to condition your body, and a good way to prevent injury from overexertion, is to build up your workout over time. Start out doing cardio for three days a week and weight training for two, spending about a half hour on each workout. Wait two days between weight-training workouts so your muscles have time to recover.

Make a schedule. It's easier to remember to work out if you make it a habit. Get a monthly calendar and write down when and where you are going to work out and for how long. Each day you do so, cross the day off the calendar. It will be motivating to see your progress.

Plan to increase intensity. Each week, add to your cardio workouts by increasing the intensity, the frequency or the duration. If you don't, as your body gets more fit you will see less of a benefit. Do the same for your weight training. Add these details to your calendar.

Celebrate your progress. When you increase the amount of weight you can lift or you are able to run one more mile than before, reward yourself with something you enjoy. It will make you more likely to stick with the program so you can reach that next goal.