X Shadyside is Ready to Open — Here’s What You Need to Know
Many people have fallen behind on their workout routines or have stopped working out during the COVID-19 shutdowns over the past year. With gyms closed and stay at home orders in place, it was difficult to know where and how to get a good sweat going. Now that we have clearer guidelines and gyms in Pittsburgh, PA are reopening, it's time to focus on getting back in shape. We’ve compiled a list of ways you get active and stay active for the foreseeable future. Let’s get back to it!
Why do we work out? It may seem like an obvious answer — that we work out to stay fit. However, this is not the whole story. When we have stopped working out for a while, it is easy to forget how good it feels to finish a cardio session. It is not only runners that get a sense of euphoria after exercising, any type of exercise releases endorphins to your brain that make you feel good. So, why do we work out? We work out to feel good! It is important to remember that even though finding motivation to work out is sometimes difficult, our body always rewards us for the work we put in.
If you are still struggling to find motivation to get back to a regular workout routine, you may want to join a gym in Pittsburgh, PA or find a friend on a similar fitness journey. You could even try attending a class at one of your local gyms. At X Shadyside, they are currently offering their SpinX, BattleX, and other classes to get you started. Try attending one of these classes with your fitness partner to help calm your nerves if you are feeling self conscious about going to your first session alone. If you pair up and hold each other accountable for going to class, you will be able to keep your motivation up. Finding a partner, or better, finding a fitness community is often one of the best things you can do for yourself to get back in shape. If you are surrounded by others that share your same journey, you can find inspiration in your shared success.
Once you have found your source of motivation to get back in shape, it's time to set some goals for yourself. The key to setting goals is to keep your motivation, so you are not tempted to give up your new exercise routine. It is important to set measurable goals so you can celebrate your achievements. For example, if your goal is to “look good” you can’t necessarily measure exactly how good you look, or if you have achieved your fitness goal. An example of a specific and measurable goal is something like, “I will get outside for 30 minutes every day” or “I will incorporate fruit into my breakfast for the next month.” These goals can be completed because they are easily measurable and easily attainable for people looking to improve their overall health.
Remember to make your goals attainable! If you set out to try to run for 30 minutes every day, it may be easier to give up since you have to build a lot of motivation to run 30 minutes every day. If you are tempted to stop your new workout routine just after starting, you may have set your sights a bit too high.
Once you have set your goals, you have already completed the first step of getting back in shape. Remember not to rush toward your goals, especially if you have taken a long period of time off. You won’t be able to reach your peak fitness if you injure yourself from working out too much too quickly. So, take it slow and remember that your body needs time to adjust to a new workout routine. Sometimes recovery is just as important as the workout itself. Remember to be kind to yourself as you get back on a regular workout schedule, you have already taken a big step by prioritizing your health and getting active.
When you are setting goals for yourself to get back in shape post COVID shutdowns, a good place to start is by moving your body every day. This doesn't have to be a full fledged workout, just something that you can do every day to get heart rate pumping. You could take a walk around the block on your lunch break or do 10 pushups when you wake up in the morning. Once this becomes a consistent routine for you, you will start to do these small exercises automatically. Pretty soon, you’ll be reaping the health benefits of moving your body every day.
Over the last year as we all spent most of our time indoors, it became more difficult to cook healthy meals every day. The convenience of takeout and delivery led to people ordering out more than ever. However, meals that are the best for you are often the ones you make for yourself. If you are in a cooking slump or are done with takeout, it may be time to add more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Start by adding a vegetable on the side for dinner each night. Vegetables like broccoli and asparagus have lots of fiber and other nutrients that assist weight loss and promote greater overall well being. So, if you are ready to shed some pounds after lockdown, consider incorporating an additional serving of fruits and vegetables into your everyday diet.
If you are ready to get back in shape after lockdown, consider joining X Shadyside. X Shadyside is one of the top gyms in Pittsburgh, PA and offers a variety of classes that can help you achieve your personal fitness goals. Whether you are interested in personal training, group fitness classes, free weights, cardio equipment, or TRX suspension training, X Shadyside has you covered. Getting back into shape can be difficult, but having a professional team of experts supporting you can make a huge difference in keeping you motivated. Learn how to become a member at one of the best boutique gyms in the city today!
