Sooner or later, everyone begins to realize that they need some kind of fitness routine. Getting fit will give you more energy, help you sleep better and can even slim you down. Here are some great tips to get you started with a fitness regime that you can live with.

Achieve optimal fitness by using your body’s processes to your advantage. Stick to smaller weights at first and gradually build your way up to machines. This way, you can work fatigue-prone smaller muscles first. Your larger muscles need less support from smaller muscles, so this is an optimal way to work your physiology to your advantage.

Walking is a great exercise. Walking is easy to do almost anywhere and most anyone can do it. Walking will help raise your metabolism. It also helps to lower blood pressure and pulse rate. Walking is also great to strengthen your muscles and help you to lose excess body fat.

Before doing an exercise, especially one you’ve never done before, be sure to find out the correct form and amount of resistance you should be using. Often times, this is best checked by watching your movements in a mirror or having a friend or partner help you. Incorrect form can lead to limited results or injury.

Stretches should be performed before you begin your exercise and afterwards to cool the muscle from intense performance. When stretching, it is best to hold a position for 15 to 30 seconds and try not to bounce during the hold. Bouncing will force the muscle to hit a tendon or body part unnecessarily and may cause injury.

Use these tips as a map towards a fitter you. Once you’ve started with these tips, always be on the lookout and find new ones. This way, your fitness routine will always stay fresh and you’ll be able to stick with it. Remember, the most important thing is to stay committed to a fitness routine, so that you can start to see the results that will benefit your entire life.