Revamp Your Fitness: How To Prepare A New Workout Plan

Whether you’ve lapsed on your workouts or just aren’t seeing the benefit, starting a new programme can be just the inspiration you need to get fit and healthy and see a real change in your body.

We asked personal trainer Scott Laidler, who works with Hollywood fitster Kate Hudson no less, how to get yourself in gear for a new fitness plan.

1. Get your fitness checked

“Evaluating your current fitness level is important when undertaking a new workout regime,” says Scott. “Knowing your fitness will give you an idea of your ability to perform at a certain intensity for a given amount of time.”

There’s no point hitting it too hard if your fitness just isn’t there – it’s something you need to build.

He continues: “I’d recommend seeing a personal trainer for a fitness consultation so that they can give you an idea of where you are and prescribe the correct level of exercise for you.

“Generally though, if you’ve been working out two to three times a week regularly you will be able to up the frequency and intensity for a new programme to see some real difference.”

If you haven’t been working out, or have been sporadic, then you need to start slower. Scott recommends working out just twice a week with three rest days in between to get yourself back up to a level where you can push it.

2. Make a plan of action

You need to be realistic and know what you can do within your timeframe (if you’re getting into shape for something in particular). If you’ve not got a specific goal to train for (such as a marathon or a wedding) you still need to be realistic about the speed with which you can get to the level you’d like.

“Set your goals,” Scott insists. “And be realistic. When working them out, think… What do I want to achieve? How much effort do I need to put in? What do I need to do to achieve them? And How much time do I have to achieve them?”

3. Be specific when you plan your workouts and meals

Scott advises proper forward planning to make sure you don’t give up because of lack of organisation.

“Plan your workouts so that you achieve steady progress.

“Gradually make them harder by increasing reps, intensity of exercises or the type of exercise to focus on different body areas.

“This will help you to gauge a steady progress, meaning that you won’t push yourself too hard/easy or miss your deadline.

“You’ll need to plan your weekly workouts, what they will focus on and where you will do them; and plan your meals so that they fulfil your dietary requirements and are easy to stick to. This will help to prevent snacking or missing sessions.”

4. Commit

Lack of true commitment can be the reason many of us just don’t get to where we want to be. We start well and then get distracted by the rest of life. But if you really want to do it, you can.

Scott says: “As with any goal in life, I believe committing it to paper breathes life into it, asserts your intention and makes it real. Be sure to write it in the affirmative (e.g. I will be in the best shape of my life, comfortable in my clothes and confident).

“Then pin that affirmation up somewhere you will see it often.”

Good luck!

Scott offers personal training both on and offline, find out more on his website.

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