First and foremost, are you enjoying the movements? It’s much harder to stick to an exercise routine if it’s filled with movements you don’t enjoy. It is crucial to Identify movements that feel unpleasant so you can incorporate fewer of those movements and more movements that make you feel good. The difference between a monotonous and an exciting program can make a world of difference. With more variation and joy in your routine comes a more sustainable and effective program.

Secondly, is your workout balanced? When people ask us what’s important when creating a workout plan, one of the first things we say is having balance between the muscle groups you’re working. If the goal is to create an efficient full-body routine, you might want to include a pulling movement, a pushing movement, and a lower body movement. For example, this might look like a small circuit of a set of push-ups, dumbbell rows, and goblet squats. To ensure one muscle group won’t get overworked compared to the other groups, it is important to make sure each muscle group gets an appropriate amount of attention.

You can determine if your workout is balanced by considering muscle imbalances you might be experiencing. If you spend hours sitting hunched in front of a computer screen, chances are you have tight shoulders. To create balance in your workout, you might want to perform some shoulder mobility exercises to open up your shoulders before engaging them to support your push-up. This means that a balanced workout might look a little different for each person. Additionally, as we exercise more regularly and create more balance in our bodies, the programs continue to evolve. This means that not only will programs differ from person to person, they will also change as each person makes progress within their own program.

Lastly, are you creating a mind-muscle connection? We frequently encounter new clients who recount past injuries, and it’s common for these injuries to have occurred while they lost focus during exercise or were unaware of the intended muscle groups involved in the movement. The effectiveness of the movement increases and the likelihood of injury decreases the more you understand which muscles should be engaged during each exercise. 

By prioritizing enjoyment, balance, and awareness, you’ll create a sustainable and effective workout routine that keeps you motivated and progressing. At Nu Fitness, we design custom programs from scratch, ensuring every client gets a routine tailored to their body, goals, and lifestyle.