Structuring Your Workout Routine

*By: Megan Deppen*

Since I’ve been working remotely, I’ve learned how to better organize and prioritize my workout schedule. Typically, I’m a very scheduled/routined person, so structuring my workouts has been very beneficial for me. If you’re thinking of ways to structure your workout routines, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

• Set Goals – What are you looking to achieve in your weekly workouts? (weight loss, toning, gaining muscle mass, maintaining weight, releasing stress, etc.) Write down a few goals for the week and then choose workouts that will help you work toward these goals.
• Saves Time – I like to get up each morning and know exactly what workout I will be doing that day and that way I’m not wasting time trying to figure it out.
• Rotate Your Workouts – Make a plan where you are changing up your workouts and targeting different muscle groups. Furthermore, if you do the same workout routines everyday, it’s going to get boring and you’re going to lose motivation, so make sure you change things up.
• Strength Training – When you’re creating your plan, make sure it includes some form of strength training. Strength training is very important in your training and helps not only gain muscle, but maintains muscle tissue, body fat, and decreases your risk of injury.
• Stretching – Don’t forget to stretch those muscles both pre- and post-workout. Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong and healthy and prevents injury and muscles from becoming tight.
• Take Rest Days – It’s important to give your body a break and rest your muscles, so make sure you set aside at least two days as dedicated rest days.

Here is my Weekly Workout Routine:

• Monday – Spinning
• Tuesday – Strength training
• Wednesday – Cardio (usually a 25-30 minute run)
• Thursday – Pilates, Yoga, or another low impact workout
• Friday – Spinning
• Saturday & Sunday – Rest Days

Note: Stretching exercises are incorporated both pre and post workout.

Do you have a structured workout routine that works for you? Leave your comments below.