Many people think that they know all they need to know about keeping themselves in top shape, but you can always learn something new that can kick your fitness routine up a notch or two. The effective tips found in the article below can help you do that, starting today.

If you are going to be doing serious weight training, it is crucial to have a spotter on hand. As you are lifting, your body is going to get tired. Lifting without a spotter leaves you open to the danger of being unable to lift your weights off of your chest, or even more dangerously, having them fall down on you if your arms give out.

To stay fit, forget the phrase, “No pain, no gain!” This phrase is absolutely untrue! If you do a workout that causes you to suffer, you will be highly unlikely to continue to do it consistently. Instead of choosing exercise routines and forms of exercise that cause you distress, choose activities that you enjoy and want to do. Consistency is far more important in pursuing, attaining, and maintaining fitness than intensity.

When beginning a fitness routine start out slowly. If you try to start out at a high intensity, chances are you’ll burn out quickly and stop exercising all together. It’s also possible you could get hurt by doing something your body isn’t ready for and then it will be impossible to exercise.

The best fitness routines target your problem areas and allow you plenty of flexibility. Are there any classes in your area? Research the possibilities.

If you tend to walk a lot, a good rule of thumb in replacing your sneakers or shoes is replacing them every 250-500 miles of walking. Doing so will ensure that you get the most out of your exercise regimen and you won’t hurt your legs by wearing shoes with missing parts or poor support.

Dedicating 30 minutes to working out every evening can actually go a long way. You can burn off a lot of the calories you consumed throughout the day by doing push ups and sit ups when you get home. You want to push yourself every time too, so that you get into shape as quickly as possible.

So, don’t think that you know all you need to keep your fitness level high and your body in tip-top shape. As you can see from the practical and effective tips in the above article, there is always something new to learn. These pointers can make getting fit more interesting, or even more fun!