Summer is the time of year when you want to look and feel more physically active, enjoy outdoor activities, and spend time away from the hustle and bustle. June is also Men’s Health Month and a great time to focus on how men can approach exercise and fitness activities.
For many men, summer is that time when the body awakens to all the outdoor stimuli and creates an overwhelming desire to ‘spring into action.’ Whether it is outdoor sports activities such as hiking, biking, tennis, pickleball, and swimming, relaxing outdoors with friends and family, or traveling and exploring new destinations, our bodies must be physically ready to handle these outdoor activities.
Regardless of age, it is never too late to jump-start your ‘physical self’ to take full advantage of the summer months. Follow a few simple steps to look, feel, and function in an optimized way, and get the most physical enjoyment and personal satisfaction all summer and yearlong, throughout your life.
Here are a few time-tested action steps you can take right now to get started:
Lose the ‘All or Nothing' Approach and Start with a Warmup
It is a natural inclination to want to go all in when it comes to increasing activity, and we all tend to expect our bodies to perform accordingly! As most of us know from personal experience, however, the body does not always work that way. We expect our bodies to perform on command, and when they do not, we tend to ignore the signs and symptoms that lead to a multitude of physical ailments that in turn hurt and sideline us.
The good news is, there are simple ways to physically prepare for our summer adventures without putting in hours at the gym or searching for that magic pill, fad diet, or the latest gadget.
Since our bodies do not like going from standstill to active, it helps to perform an active warm-up that replicates the types of movements you plan to embark on.
Start by creating a daily, simple summer warmup routine to ease your body into more demanding and strenuous physical activities. Come up with your own unique summer warmup routine, then prioritize it and do it every day! Try this daily, and you are guaranteed to feel great the next time you head out to exercise.
Lighten Your Load without Looking Back
As we get older, we all too often reflect on what used to work when it comes to deciding what types of exercises and fitness equipment to go with now. This approach can backfire for several reasons from an injury standpoint, as well as creating needless frustration that we can no longer perform the same exercises or use the same equipment from years ago.
Consider instead modifying exercises that you are familiar with and comfortable with, using a 3-tiered approach (beginner, intermediate, and advanced versions), to ease back into it. The approach of ‘consistency over intensity,’ when it comes to your health and fitness, is especially relevant when first starting out or coming back after a hiatus.
Another consideration is choosing exercise equipment that is less jarring and easier on the joints, such as 2-handled resistance bands, fitness loops, stability balls, and light dumbbells. These types of low-cost, portable equipment are extremely versatile and pack a punch.
Recruit Support for Your Best Efforts
Men tend to do things solo! When it comes to figuring out the best health and fitness options, enlisting the help of a fitness professional can expedite your results and help you avoid potential injuries. Just like going to your CCPHP physician for your health needs, working with a fitness professional, even if just for a short period of time or occasionally, helps keep you accountable, motivated, injury-free, and on track.
Another way to support your health and fitness efforts this summer is to recruit your friends, family members, co-workers, or anyone else you can mobilize, to join in your journey. When you have the support and commitment of others, your reasons to stay fit and healthy go beyond your personal interests and extend to helping others achieve the same goals and desires as your own.
Len Glassman is a Certified Master Level Personal Trainer and Affinity Partner with Castle Connolly Private Health Partners. As a special perk, CCPHP Members can schedule a complimentary, no-obligation health and fitness consultation with Len. Many CCPHP members have taken advantage of this special invitation and are glad they did! No matter your age or medical circumstances, Len will personally work with you to advance your health and vitality objectives so you can capture those precious moments in your life and help you reach your true health and fitness potential.
Email: len@lenglassman.com, call: 908-789-3337, or click on this link to easily schedule your face-to-face consultation today: https://www.lenglassman.com/service-page/mindful-movement-consultation.