Springtime often brings renewed energy to try new lifestyle changes, like better diet and eating habits, dedicated exercise workouts, and better sleeping schedules. There are many different types of fitness workout programs, and they can help improve many systems within your body.

As a caution, if you are new to cardio exercising, you should first check with your doctor to see if your heart is healthy enough to do cardio workouts. Here are five steps to get started on fitness workouts:

Determine Your Fitness Level

A base point will let you know your level of improvement, so start with these simple measurements:

  • Pulse rate – take your pulse rate before and after you walk one mile.
  • Weight – if you are using cardio as a weight loss method, you will want to know your weight before starting your program, so you know how much you lose.
  • Body Mass Index – a fairly reliable measurement of a person’s body fat based on weight and height.

A qualified fitness trainer can help you get accurate measurements, especially for the body mass index. Fitness trainers are also helpful for the next steps.

Develop Your Program

What is your fitness goal? A weight loss goal should have realistic and achievable milestones to work for, and a fitness trainer will know how to safely progress towards those goals.

Next, create a balanced routine of exercises that combine cardio, light strengthening, and workout training. Depending on your unique health needs, your fitness trainer can help document the best steps to begin with.

Select Your Equipment

Choose quality workout shoes that are designed for the exercises you’ll be doing. Extra things might be helpful, such as wrist weights, or small dumbbells. Joining a gym will take care of the larger equipment needs, and you won’t have to worry about equipment maintenance.

Start Exercising

Start slow and keep it steady. Make sure you warm up before exercising, track your progress, and do a cool-down time afterwards. Your fitness trainer will help you make adjustments, based on your needs and individual goals, and will also teach you the right movements to make while exercising to avoid injury.

Monitor Your Progress

Remember that original goal? You won’t see how well you’re doing if you don’t track and monitor your progress. If you reach a plateau, talk to your fitness trainer to see what needs to be adjusted; sometimes a simple extra exercise or an increase in the repetitions can make a big difference.