Goals, personalization strengthen workouts

The opening of the new Aquatics and Recreation Center has sparked greater interest in health and wellness on campus. However, for those either new to fitness training or unfamiliar with equipment offered at the ARC, determining an appropriate workout routine can seem like a daunting task. Fear not as the following tips should help set up a basic workout routine:Goals

Whether they include running a certain mileage per week or lifting a specific weight on the bench press, workouts will benefit from the motivation to achieve previous goals and set new ones.

This forms the foundation for the program and provides direction and incentive during each individual workout.

Therefore, identifying goals improves motivation and probability of sticking to the program once it is established.

Type of workout

Categorizing goals will determine how to individualize each workout.

For example, if the goal is to improve time in a three mile road race, then the majority of the workouts will focus more on long-distance running and speed work than weight training.

However, if goals focus on improving strength and general fitness, workouts will probably incorporate greater use of the free weights and resistance machines while not totally abandoning the use of the treadmills or stationary bikes and vice versa.

Basically, the idea is to make the actual workout as specific to the goals as possible.

Personalize

One of the worst things that can happen to a newly established workout routine is burnout.

Certainly, it takes a consistent level of motivation and initiative to put a written or visualized program into action. However, following the same routine for an extended period of time becomes boring and less interesting. Different exercises or equipment can be experimented with to change things up.

One of the more extreme workout routines could include cross-training which incorporates multiple training techniques into a program through a variety of exercises and/or fitness-related activities.

This does not have to be limited to the gym. UTC campus recreation offers a plethora of options through UTC Outdoors, non-credit classes, intramurals and club sports to get students "workin' on your fitness."

Personalizing a workout with ejoyable activities may not only address fitness goals but add an exciting element to a workout routine.