Kickstarting Fitness: Learn the Basics

By Mahak Arora - Updated: October 31, 2018

In this Article

How to Baby Step into the Fitness World

Starting a new fitness routine can be hard, especially if you haven’t exercised in quite some time. Fret not, moms! It’s always good to start with the basics even when you’re raring to go. Get a grip on the four basic constituents of the fitness challenge and you’ll soon be working out like a pro!

As you start out on your route to fitness, it is important to understand basic exercises to kick-start your exercise routine. We have rounded up a quick look at all you really need to learn to be well on your way to wellness!

How to Baby Step into the Fitness World

1. How to do leg raises

What muscles do leg raises work? Many! They help shape your legs, thighs, hips and the abdominal region. Start with some light jogging in one place to warm up your leg muscles. Then, lie on your side and raise your leg up and bring it down. You can also try some leg raises for abs. Lie down on your back. With your legs stretched out, raise them up and bring them down. Try to match your daily target and watch your confidence go up.

2. How to do sit-ups

Lie on your back with the knees bent, your heels flat on the ground, and your hands behind your head. Now raise your back up till your head meets the knees and then go down again. It’s a great way to work the abdomen and hip muscles. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll not find it too difficult. ||

3. How to do crunches

What are crunches? They are a lot like sit-ups except that you only raise your upper body off the ground with the help of the shoulder blades. The difference between crunches exercise vs sit-upsis that crunches solely work the abdominal area without engaging the hips. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Now place your hands on either side of your head and roll your shoulders off the floor. Ensure that your shoulders leave the floor while your lower back remains on it. Hold for a while and then slowly release,

4. How to do planks

What do plank exercises do? They work all the major muscles in your body so you end up not just with toned abs or shapely legs but an overall streamlined look. Start by lying face down on the floor. Lift your entire body up in a straight line from shoulders to ankles. Rest your weight on your forearms with your elbows bent and maintain your lower body position by resting the balls of your feet on the floor. Suck your stomach as far back into your spine to engage the core muscles. Now hold this position. How long should you hold a plank? Well! The longer the better.

Once you learn the basics, you can ease into more sets each day as per your daily goal. These workouts are simple but help you get in shape and feel great about yourself. Fitness challenge? Say “I am in!”

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