Whether you want to trim down or tone up, it’s no secret that staying active is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. But as for exactly how much exercise you should be doing? It all depends on your fitness goals.
Still, there are general principles that anyone should follow, according to personal trainer Tom Mans. These 13 people reveal the one thing that finally made them love exercise.
“The type of workout you do ultimately depends on your ability, goals, likes and dislikes, equipment available, what injuries you have, and how much time you have available,” personal trainer Tom Mans told The Independent.
Sadly, hitting the gym once or twice a week won’t cut it. Four or five sessions a week is ideal; however, Mans says you should aim to hit the gym at least three times each week in order to see real results.
26 PHOTOSBest beauty products to keep in your gym bagSee GalleryBest beauty products to keep in your gym bag
MILK MAKEUP Matcha Cleanser, $26
This facial cleanser comes in stick form, which anyone who has had their face wash spill in their gym bag can surely appreciate.
CliniqueFIT Post-Workout Neutralizing Face Powder, $29
CliniqueFIT, makeup meant for working out or recovering in, has real staying power. Plus, it’s 100 percent fragrance free and allergy tested.
RECESS Kit 201: Fit Kit (Pack of 15), $26
If you’re in a hurry, skip the long shower line and use these bacteria fighting face and body wipes, plus deodorant wipes.
FIRST AID BEAUTY Facial Radiance Pads, $32
Use these facial pads to, as the package says, "exfoliate, tone and brighten."
Clinique Sonic Cleanser Travel Kit, $89.50 ($120 value)
Clean your face thoroughly with Clinique’s sonic cleanser and foaming facial soap. Say good-bye to sweat and dirt!
FIRST AID BEAUTY Anti-Redness Serum, $36
Use this to calm your skin and reduce redness after a work out.
eva nyc Freshen Up Dry Shampoo, $11.99
This dry shampoo will freshen up your sweaty hair without that whole thick, dirty, powdery feel. It will feel like you just showered!
CliniqueFIT Workout 24-Hour Mascara, $20
There’s nothing worse than the stinging of mascara in your eyes mid work out. Skip that and try this product with real staying power.
Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner, $55
This toner is a cooling gel that turns to a water toner when it hits your skin. It helps clarify, remove oil and tighten your skin to reduce the look of pores.
CliniqueFIT Workout Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 40, $29.50
If you’re not the type of person to go makeup less at the gym, no big. Check out this foundation for a sweat proof look.
Mario Badescu Skin Care Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber And Green Tea, $12
This tried and true classic facial spray features aloe, cucumber and green tea to freshen up and hydrate your face.
MEGABABE Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant, $18
This deodorant has no parabens and no aluminum, just the good stuff to keep you smelling fresh.
KINX Gell Eyeliner, $15
Not only is this eyeliner sweat proof, it’s also smudge proof (and paraben-free!).
Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes, $3.99
These pre-moistened towelettes are odor neutralizing and feature coconut milk & essential oils to keep your underarms clean and smooth.
LAVANILA The Healthy Underarm Detox Mask, $26
Your underarms need love too! After shaving, sweating and lots of deodorant use, give them a good detox with this mask to avoid bumps.
Milk Makeup Cooling Water, $24
This cooling water stick helps you cool down, de-puff and soothe your skin using caffeine and seawater.
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Face Mist, $44
If your face is feeling dull and dry (aka every day in the winter), give it a spritz of this alcohol-free, multivitamin face mist.
DELECTABLE The Everything Powder, $12 (Orig. $16)
This powder says it in the name — you can use it for everything. Sprinkle it in your hair or in your shoes post-work out.
OGX Green Tea Fitness Dry Shampoo Foam, $6.74 (Orig. 8.99)
This dry shampoo starts out as a foam and when mixed with your sweat-drenched hair, drys to add shine and volume.
boscia Charcoal Deodorant A Natural Talc-Free Powder Spray, $16 (Orig. $20)
This deodorant absorbs sweat, pulls out impurities and eliminates odor in each spray.
ORIGINS Modern Friction™ Cleansing Stick with Exfoliating White & Purple Rice, $28
This cleansing stick will help exfoliate your dry skin to keep your face clean and smooth.
MURAD Clarifying Body Spray, $40
If your skin is prone to acne, especially when you sweat, use this body spray with salicylic acid to help fight breakouts.
Anthony Invigorating Rush Hair & Body Wash, $28.00
Wake up post-yoga with the smell of eucalyptus extract, birch leaf and Canadian Balsam.
OUAI Air Dry Foam, $28
Have time to shower but not time to dry your hair? No big. Use this foam on wet hair so when it air drys its just as smooth and silky as when you use a hair dryer.
Secret Freshies On-The-Go Invisible Solid Anitpersperant Ball, $5.99
If your gym bag or purse doesn’t have room for full-sized products, throw this mini deodorant ball in your bag for on-the-go freshness.
Neutrogena Hydrating Makeup Remove Cleansing Towelettes, $7.99
Take off your make up before or after your work out using these tried and true hydrating wipes.
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A frequent gym routine “exposes your body to a large enough training stimulus throughout the week, which enables the body to adapt, get stronger, leaner and fitter,” Mans said. Here are 8 fitness motivation secrets that actually work.
Each workout should last for about 45 minutes to one hour, Mans says. His preferred routine includes a 10 minute warm-up, 30 to 40 minutes of weight training, and five to 10 minutes of cool down and stretching. Half-hour workouts work best for conditioning sessions and interval training, too.
According to Mans, it’s best to take a day’s rest between weight-lifting sessions to allow your muscles time to recover. If you’re training different body parts each time, however, it’s OK to lift on consecutive days. Next, check out the 50 fitness myths that can seriously damage your health.
[Source: The Independent]
The post This Is How Often—and For How Long—You Should Exercise, According to a Personal Trainer appeared first on Reader’s Digest.
20 PHOTOS19 fashionable gym bags you can take to the officeSee Gallery19 fashionable gym bags you can take to the office
Caraa Studio Medium Duffle Backpack, $425BUY IT
Yugefom Dry Wet Separated Gym Bag, $22.99BUY IT
MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote, $225BUY IT
Dagne Dover 365 Large Landon Neoprene Carryall Duffle Bag, $185BUY IT
Lily & Drew Shoulder Bag Fits 15.5" Laptop, $59.99BUY IT
State Bags Kane Metallic Plaid Backpack, $47.49 (Orig. $95)BUY IT
Caraa Studio Bag Medium Studded, $525BUY IT
Rebecca Minkoff Nylon Duffle Bag, $136.80 (Orig. $228)
Herschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack, $100
Frye Logan Leather Backpack, $448
Tumi Voyageur Just in Case Nylon Travel Backpack, $79 (Orig. $100)
Herschel Supply Co. Novel Duffle Bag, $120
Sweaty Berry Luxe Gym Bag, $165
Dagne Dover Lare Dakota Neoprene Backpack, $195
Tumi Harrison Webster Backpack, $425
Rains Field Backpack, $110
Sweaty Betty All Sport Backpack, $115
Rebecca Minkoff Washed Nylon Tote, $145
Caraa Cirrus Backpack, $225
Furla Man Ulisse, $638
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