For many, spring means starting that exercise regimen put off all winter long. Whether starting from scratch or rebooting after time off, the key to avoiding injury is baby steps.
“Start slow and isolate muscle groups with toning workouts for the whole body for 45 minutes every other day,” says trainer Nicole Glor. “Or, for just the upper body for 30 minutes — and another day, do lower body for 30 minutes.”
For cardio, begin with something as simple as a 10-minute walk or jog. “Then work up to jogging for 20 minutes,” says Glor. “Same with an elliptical or bike: Slowly start increasing your duration and speed. You can do cardio on the days you don’t do toning, or do both on the same day if you have the energy.”
For lapsed exercisers, it’s not a case of “go back to square one.”
“For someone who just hibernated a little too much this winter but is used to a workout, your muscles have memory,” Glor says. She recommends alternating cardio for 30 to 40 minutes every other day with combo muscle workouts for 30 to 60 minutes, four to six days a week. For anyone, a little eventually goes a long way.
