Are you one of the many people that struggle to fit exercise into their life?
Our fitness guru, Auckland Council Pools and Leisure Fitness Centre Manager Matt Nash has some top tips on how to make it work:
Prioritise it
Let’s face it - unless you’re in need of an intervention no-one is going to march you to the gym. You need to prioritise your own health and wellbeing. Schedule your activity the same way that you do work meetings, your kid’s ballet lesson or date night with your partner. Enter your sessions in whatever digital or paper-based diary you use to manage your life.
Make exercise part of the everyday
There are various numbers bouncing around the internet about how long it takes to form a new habit – and it differs for different things – but if you make something part of your everyday routine, you’re much more likely to stick at it.
Early bird catches the worm
Some of the people I see who most successfully fit exercise into their life are those who carve out time to do their exercise in the morning. Not only is it likely to energise you for the day ahead (as long as you don’t run a marathon or another very intensive activity) there is less room for things to get in the way later in the day. To help ensure you get out the door, make sure you have prepared your gym gear, lunch, and whatever else you need, the night before.
Small steps - some exercise is better than none
We’ve just launched ‘Let’s make it fit’ which is encouraging busy people to exercise through individually tailored 30-minute sessions. On those days when even 30 minutes is hard to find, fit in some movement any way you can. Have a walking meeting, race your kids to the car at school pick-up, take the stairs or play a quick family game before you sit down for dinner. Be creative to find what works for you.
Find ‘your thing’
It may be group fitness for motivation, swimming, resistance training or even climbing. When you find what works for you – or what combination of activities works best – it’ll feel so much easier. Come and see us – with ‘Let’s make it fit’ our friendly instructors will help you work out what 30 minute sessions are best for you based on your preferences, lifestyle and goals.
With ‘Let’s make it fit’ there’s no contract and new members who join before 5 June 2016 and stick with it for three months will get 30 days free.
Join a participating centre and discover a 30 minute workout made for you.