Simple 3-Day-A-Week Workout Schedule

You Can Get Fit and Be Healthier by Exercising Just Three Days a Week!

When it comes to fitness, most health experts believe that a well-rounded schedule should include strength training, cardio and flexibility workouts. But when our lives are already packed with work, family and social obligations, how are we to find the time for fitness, too?

Fortunately, you don't have to spend hours in the gym to increase your fitness levels and boost your overall health. In fact, you can create a well-rounded exercise schedule by working out just three days a week for an hour each time. Although you'll never be a competitive athlete on this schedule, it is enough to keep your heart and body healthy.

Here are the three components of your workouts:

Cardio: This should involve any type of exercise that gets your blood pumping and boosts your heart rate. Good choices include walking, running, cycling, rowing, elliptical machines, step aerobics and jumping rope. You can also try cardio exercise DVDs.

Strength Training: This includes weight lifting or resistance exercises. Good examples are bicep curls with dumbbells, squats, lunges and crunches. If you're unsure how to perform any of these exercises, hire a personal trainer or purchase a book about basic strength training routines. You may also need to purchase dumbbells or resistance bands.

Flexibility: These exercises should help stretch your muscles. Certain styles of exercise - like yoga - also increase your flexibility. If you're unsure how to stretch, hire a personal trainer or buy a book about basic stretching routines.

Once you've decided what exercises you want to do, follow this 3-day workout program:

Day 1
•Cardio: Do 20 minutes of 'interval' cardio. This means you should vary your intensity throughout the exercise. If you're running, for example, start with an easy pace for three minutes, then increase your speed for three minutes until the intensity is vigorous. After that, drop down to your easy pace again for the next three minutes. Repeat until you finish the entire thirty minute workout.