Living a healthy lifestyle is not just about following fancy diets and extreme workout programs. Instead, it's about incorporating sustainable habits into your daily routine, such as easy workout routines that can be both enjoyable and effective. In this blog, we will explore a variety of simple and efficient workout routines that cater to individuals of all fitness levels. Whether you are a beginner or looking to switch up your current routine, these easy workout routines will help you stay on track towards a fitter and healthier you.

·        The Power of Consistency

Before diving into specific exercise routines, it's important to emphasize the power of consistency. The most effective exercise routines are those that you can stick to long term. Consistency builds discipline and ensures gradual progress. Start by committing to a set number of weekly workouts, even if they are short and simple. As you build momentum, you can gradually increase the intensity and duration.

·        30-minute full body routine

For those with a busy schedule, a 30-minute full-body routine is an excellent choice. This routine can be done three to four times a week, with a rest day between sessions. It includes a combination of strength training and cardiovascular activities to maximize calorie burning and muscle building. To motivate yourself put on your workout outfit such as 2XU core compression tights/shorts with some extremely comfortable sports shoes like Saucony’s Kinvara pro which you can easily shop from MyGALF.com

a. Warm-up (5 minutes):

During a workout we can all go from zero to hero and push hard but the safe way to train is to bring the body’s temperature up slowly and loosen up the muscles before we get to do anything serious. That’s what warm-ups are designed to do. Stretching, on the other hand, is done in order to improve overall flexibility. Once muscles have worked they are at their most compliant state and they let us stretch further than we normally would gaining more ground while we are at it. These can include:

Jumping jacks

Arm circles

High knees

Bodyweight squats

b. Strength training (20 minutes):

Strength training exercises work your muscles by using resistance against which the muscles need to develop force. The goal is to use an appropriate weight or resistance force that works the target muscles to fatigue during 8 to 12 repetitions of the exercise. A typical beginner strength training program includes 8 to 10 exercises that work the major muscle groups of the body. These exercises are usually performed 2 to 3 times a week.

While going to a gym will provide access to specific strength training equipment and supervision, as well as provide an environment that some people find supportive, it is not necessary and some strength training can be done at home. For example, many exercises use your own body weight as the resistance against which the muscles must work, and some exercises can provide resistance with a pair of hand weights or even 2 soup cans. Some of the basic strength training exercises includes:

Push-ups

Dumbbell lunges

Bent-over dumbbell rows

Plank

Dumbbell shoulder press

Glute bridges

c. Cardiovascular activity (5 minutes):

Also called aerobic or endurance exercise, cardiovascular exercise is any form of activity that uses aerobic metabolism. That is, during the activity, oxygen is heavily involved in the cellular reactions that produce the energy necessary to sustain the activity. Your heart rate increases and you breathe more deeply to maximize the amount of oxygen in your blood and help you to use more oxygen efficiently. Hence, you feel more energized and do not get tired quickly. 

Cardiovascular exercise is any vigorous activity that increases heart rate and breathing and increases the flow of oxygen and blood throughout the body while repeatedly and rhythmically using the body's large muscle groups. Such activity gradually challenges your most important internal body organs and improves the function and performance of the heart, lungs and circulatory system. You can include Heathtrek’s Exercise Ball which is easily available on MyGALF.com to add a fun element to your routine.  Cardio improves many aspects of health, including heart health, mental health, mood, sleep, weight management, and metabolism by just doing the following activities:

Jogging in place

Jump rope

High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

·        Yoga for Flexibility and Relaxation

Yoga is a fantastic workout routine that not only improves flexibility but also promotes relaxation and stress reduction. It's suitable for all fitness levels and can easily be practiced at home or in a studio. Yoga Mats from Anvi Ebizz on MyGALF can be a great start to set your routine.  A typical beginner's yoga routine may include:

a. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

b. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

c. Child's Pose (Balasana)

d. Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)

e. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

f. Corpse Pose (Savasana)

·        Walking or Jogging for Cardio

Walking and jogging are among the easiest and most accessible workout routines. They require minimal equipment and can be done virtually anywhere. Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking or jogging most days of the week. Gradually increase your pace or distance as your fitness improves. You can also add intervals of running or incorporate hills for added challenge.

·        The 7-Minute HIIT Workout

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an excellent way to burn calories and boost metabolism in a short amount of time. The 7-minute HIIT workout is perfect for those with limited time or space. It consists of 12 exercises, each performed for 30 seconds with a 10-second rest in between. To track your performance by investing in a good smartwatch like Garmin’s Venu sq 2 on MyGALF.com and see yourself getting better every day.

Some of the exercises include:

a. Jump squats

b. Push-ups

c. Burpees

d. Mountain climbers

e. Bicycle crunches

·        Dumbbell Circuit Training

If you have a set of dumbbells at home, you can create a simple and effective circuit training routine. Perform each exercise for 45 seconds, followed by a 15-second rest. Repeat the circuit 3-4 times with a 1-minute rest between circuits. Sample exercises include:

a. Dumbbell bicep curls

b. Dumbbell lunges

c. Dumbbell shoulder press

d. Dumbbell bent-over rows

e. Dumbbell triceps kickbacks