Now that’s were deep into the holiday season, you may find yourself exercising a little less than usual, and if you’re stressing about how to get your fitness levels back after the holidays, we get it. After a break, it can seem like you’re starting from square one but don’t sweat it. We’re sharing five hacks on how to get your fitness levels up fast, even after a long holiday break.
How to Get Your Fitness Levels Up Fast After a Break
#1 Consistency is Key
While exercise may seem daunting after a break, especially if you are feeling discouraged, consistency is absolutely key to get your fitness levels up fast. Just get started, don’t worry about your workout being perfect, and don’t get overly stressed if you don’t feel as fit as you did before your break. Just pick one workout and start. Once you get the ball rolling, it will be much easier to keep pushing forward. After a few workouts, you should start to feel like you’re getting back into a groove.
#2 Do HIIT a Few Times Per Week
HIIT, aka high-intensity interval training, is an amazing way to get back into the fitness game and increase your fitness levels fast. Not only do HIIT workouts only require 15-20 minutes of your time (yes, please), but they are also an ideal way to boost cardio fitness levels.
According to Science Focus, HIIT has been shown to not only boost fitness levels, but also support cardiovascular health, insulin sensitivity (important for blood sugar balance), and even cholesterol levels. So, basically, what we’re saying is that HIIT may be a gamechanger for you now as you’re getting back into your fitness routine, and even after you get those fitness levels back up.
You can find tons of FitOn HIIT classes for every fitness level in your fitness app, and many of these classes do not require equipment, so you can do them anywhere, anytime.
#3 Variety is Important Too
While we love us some HIIT, variety is important too. When you’re trying to get your fitness levels up fast, try doing a few days of HIIT per week with a day or two of running to boost endurance, and don’t forget about strength training. Strength training a couple of times per week isn’t going to make you bulky, instead, it will help you maintain a healthy weight, and keep your muscles strong and healthy.
Oh, and don’t forget about active recovery. Things like stretching, yoga, and Pilates are all key for flexibility, and reducing the risk of injury, so get a good active recovery day in each week, and try to stretch after every single workout.
Variety truly is the spice of life, even when it comes to your fitness routine.
#4 Push Yourself
When you’re easing back into exercise, don’t forget to challenge yourself. While you always want to listen to your body and stop when your body is telling you to, you also don’t want to go so easy that you’re not doing anything from bringing those fitness levels back up.
A great way to challenge yourself is to do total body workouts that require you to use every muscle in your body. Things like HIIT, Pilates, and circuits where you do a little cardio mixed in with a little strength training are going to be ideal. You’ll really be able to work up a good burn, which means you’ll be bringing your fitness levels up fast!
#5 Make Resistance Bands Your Friend
Struggling to pick up those weights after a break? No worries! Try using resistance bands. You can get a kick-butt resistance band workout in, while strengthening those muscles, and helping bring those fitness levels up at the same time.
Swap out weights for resistance bands in your workouts for a few days to a week, and try out this resistance band guide that targets your glutes! With consistency, you’ll be seeing those fitness results again in no time.
Ease Back Into The Fitness Game & Feel Better Than Ever
Just because you took a little break from your fitness goals doesn’t mean you can’t pick it back up where you started! Sure it may take some modifying, but with some consistency and using these five hacks to get your fitness levels up fast, you’ll be back into the fitness game feeling your best in no time.