fitness blog Archives

August 24, 2020 By Navnee Garg 4 Comments

Tracking Your Fitness Progress

Your workout goals may vary greatly, from reducing a certain amount of weight and gaining muscles, to getting a toned body, a flat stomach and lot more. The point of measuring your progress during a workout is to take note of significant data that you can act upon and to decide the steps you should take to attain your goal. Tracking is really important not only for your progress but to keep you motivated as well. It helps you stay focused and decide the next steps of your fitness journey.

Body Composition

Body Composition measurement determines your overall body fat percentage. A healthy body composition is one that includes a lower percentage of body fat and a higher percentage of fat-free mass which includes muscles, bones and organs. Body composition can provide you with a clear idea about how much lean muscle and fat you have.

This test can be used to check whether you are gaining muscles and/or losing fat. This test can be an eye opening experience because it reveals the ratio of fat to lean muscle tissue, the percentage of fat in the body, the metabolic rate (BMR) and BMI. It can easily be done at gyms, health clinics and so on, at a nominal price.

How much Fat is OK?

	Women	Men
Essential Fat	10-12%	2-4%
Athletes	14-20%	6-13%
Fitness	21-24%	14-17%
Acceptable	25-31%	18-25%

Girth Measurement

This is a wonderful way to track fat loss! Reduction in body fat is usually represented by the inches you have lost. It is one of the easiest and home-based methods to assess your progress. You can use a standardized flexible, flat measuring tape to measure different parts of the body, including your chest (across your nipple line), neck, abdomen (at your belly button), hips (measure the widest part of your buttocks with your feet together) and your calves (widest/largest part), among others.

As per ICMR, Abdominal obesity (AO) was defined as a waist circumference (WC) ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women. Isolated generalized obesity (IGO) was defined as a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 with a waist circumference of < 90 cm in men and < 80 cm in women.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms (kg) divided by his or her height in meters squared. On a BMI calculator, the number you get may fall into one of these four ranges: obese, overweight, normal weight or underweight. However, this number does not consider your muscle mass vs fat mass, which means muscular individuals, can end up with a higher BMI that may place them in the obese category. So, you should use BMI just as a beginning point.

As per WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO):

Nutritional Status

BMI
18.5	Underweight
18.5–24.9	Normal weight
25.0–29.9	Pre-obesity
30.0–34.9	Obesity class I
35.0–39.9	Obesity class II
Above 40	Obesity class III

And 4^th is My Favorite…

Selfie Zone

A full body Mirror selfie is a perfect way to measure/compare your progress from a specific time period. Nothing can be better than a visual explanation. One gets to know his/her own progress by comparing the two selfies of BEFORE and AFTER.

Reasons to Track Your Fitness Progress:

It allows for modifications and indicates when and where you need to make changes
It lets you manage your workout regimen and time more effectively
Helps to drive direction and focus to your workout program
Makes it easier to attain your goal
It’s quite easy to go overboard when eating your meals. But, if you have clarity about your fitness progress, it will help you decide on the right portion size
Tracking your progress with regard to your workouts acts as a strong motivator that keeps reminding you of the fitness goals you wish to achieve

We hope this article helps you! Do leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more on health and fitness, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play.

#BeTheForce

August 3, 2020 By Shaeba Shaikh 3 Comments

6 Indoor Exercises For a Rainy Day!

With the lockdown in effect and the weather being unpredictable, stepping outdoors to get a good workout or a run might be practically impossible, especially if you’re not a fan of running in the rain. Don’t be disappointed! Where there’s a will, there’s a way! Don’t skip your workout routine just because the weather isn’t in your favour. Here are some indoor exercises you can perform from the convenience of your home.

6 Indoor Exercises To Get You In Shape

1. Stationary Sprinter: A Great Cardio exercise(very similar to high knee jogging) to up the heart rate and burn calories.All you need to do is just stand in one place and fast jog for 60 seconds at a stretch. Do 3 sets of 60 secs each!

2. Superman Pose

A simple exercise that works fantastically on the core, lower back and Glute muscles Begin with lying in the prone position, with your arms stretched, raise your hands and legs 4-5 inches above the ground, hold for 10-15secs, then come back to the beginner position. Repeat the procedure for 3-5 reps.

3. Mountain Climbers

A great core exercise concentrating majorly on the oblique muscles. Great way to tone the abs while burning calories. Start with lying in a plank position, then move your right leg front and back as though climbing a mountain, following the same procedure with your left leg. Try to do it as fast as you can for 60 secs. Follow it with 5 reps of 60 secs each.

4. Push-Ups

Start with lying down in a prone position. Place your arms with your palms facing the floor shoulder-width apart. Bend elbows and Upper body to do a Push-up. Repeat the push-ups for 10-12 reps. Do at least 3 sets of 10-12 reps each.

This exercise works brilliantly to tone and strengthens the Chest(Pectoralis Major), Tricep and Shoulder muscles.

5. Squats

Begin with a standing position, torso upright. Keep your feet hip-width apart. Bend down as if you are sitting on a chair with your arms extended. Do the exercise for 15-20 reps. Repeat it for 3-5sets of 15-20 reps each.

6. Crunches

No exercise routine is complete without a crunch. Begin the exercise in a supine position, with your knees bent in a 90-degree angle and feet firmly on the floor. Place your hands behind your head so that the thumbs are behind your ears. Curl the upper body up, to crunch your abdomen. Repeat it for 15-20 reps. Try to do 3 sets of 15-20 reps each. This is one of the best and simple exercises to help in toning the abdominal muscles.

A simple exercise plan can be formed using the above-mentioned exercises, starting with the Stationary Sprinter, followed with Push-ups, Crunches, Mountain Climbers, Squats and Superman pose. Can complete with a cool down stretch at home.

We hope these 6 indoor exercises help you not skip your workout! How do you beat a rainy day to get in a workout? Let us know in the comments below!

For more useful workouts, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by fitness experts on GOQii Play.

#BeTheForce

May 18, 2020 By Vandana Juneja 2 Comments

Overcome Hurdles to Home Workouts

With most of us working from home and no options to go out to gyms/parks for our daily workouts, it can become challenging to stay motivated, to do regular workouts at home. No matter what your current situation, home is the best place to do a workout right now! If you are finding it difficult to set a routine, are not motivated enough, or don’t know how to keep yourself active, here some solutions to overcome the hurdles to home workouts!

Solutions to Overcome Hurdles to Home Workouts

1. Lack of Time
How many times have you thought of working out and suddenly you realise you’re running out of time and you tend to skip it altogether? Most of us are under the impression we need to exercise for at least 60-90 minutes for it to be effective. But the truth is that we can get good results with workouts like HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), even if you have 15 to 30 minutes with you. You exercise with your maximum effort for 15-20 minutes, and get better results than a moderate intensity workout that you would have done for twice as long! You’ll build a leaner, stronger physique, and your routines will always feel fresh.

It’s always better to know your schedule for the day and squeeze workouts based on that schedule. If you have online meetings/ conference calls, lined up for the day, do a workout early in the morning or late evening. If you couldn’t do that, you could probably eat lunch while you work and utilize the lunch time to do a sprint workout or HIIT session in your living room.

2. Lack of Equipment/Heavy Weights
Most of us who are used to working out at the gym do not find it fulfilling or don’t get the “kick” when not able to lift the heavy gym machinery or weights. To our surprise, you can get comparable results if you can use your own body weight correctly as we do in Yoga, pilates or simple exercises like push ups, pull ups, lunges, etc. Alternatively, if you have a set of resistance bands or even a set of water bottles, it can be effectively used for weight training as well. Use your treadmill, Static cycle or resort to spot jogging/ running, skipping etc , for your cardio workout.

3. Lack of Motivation
It is very natural to lose motivation and this can become one of your biggest hurdles to home workouts. There are days you just don’t feel like it, you’re either too tired, too bored or just want to relax. If this is happening too regularly, you need to work on developing your – Instigation Habit! These are simple habits or cues that give signals to the body that it is time for a workout. For eg- ringing of the alarm, getting into workout attire, placing your mat on the floor, etc. Stick to a fixed schedule for a few days (Monday to Friday), either first thing in the morning or in the evening and by the end of the third week, your body will automatically crave to get into action and this will keep you motivated.

It is important to keep changing your style of workout. Doing the same workout over and over becomes boring and stale for your mind and muscles. Not only do you lose motivation, you may not get the desired results as well. So look for variety, watch and follow online classes, there are so many options available, these days. Don’t forget to reward yourself from time to time but avoid indulging too much.

4. Too Many Distractions at Home
There are so many more distractions at home than there are in a gym or an outdoor environment. You’re constantly being tempted to watch television and if you start a series, you will not realise where the time has flown. You may even have to check your emails, finish household chores and all this leaves you with no energy and time to do a workout. Here is when you ought to be disciplined and exercise some self control. Do not start your day with checking your phone and switching on the TV. It’s always better to complete your workout first thing in the morning. But if you are really obsessed, you can put on your favourite show and do a cardio workout or complete a bodyweight circuit during that time. And if you have a treadmill or a stationary bike, no excuse to sit down and watch TV, keep moving on the machine!

5. Lack of Knowledge
When you train randomly, you get random results. Set a goal and work towards achieving it and if you are not too sure, seek professional advice from a fitness expert, or watch online videos/ join classes and build a roadmap to your fitness journey. The lockdown has brought the entire world together and there is nothing that you cannot gain knowledge about, be it your workout routine – Setting a goal, planning, execution, type of workouts that interest you and will suit your fitness goal.

The hurdles we create for ourselves are often the most difficult to overcome. I hope this article helps you overcome your hurdles to home workouts and you will make full use of the time you have in hand to improve your fitness levels!

If you’re confused where and how to start, tune in to our fitness experts and join their LIVE sessions on GOQii Play. You can also read more about fitness on Healthy Reads.

Stay home, stay safe, get active and #BeTheForce

July 29, 2019 By Madhu Soni Leave a Comment

Here Is Why Group Workouts Are The Best For You!

Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran to the fitness world, working out with a lively group of like-minded people with similar goals can turn any heart-pounding, sweat dripping and running out of breath experience into an enjoyable activity!

It is no surprise that group workouts can turn even an hour-long session into a fun one. Let’s see how it can prove advantageous for you!

1. Motivation

Perhaps the most difficult task is getting off the couch or bed. But, when you have a group of enthusiastic individuals backing you, no task is impossible! One is likely to workout harder as a part of a group rather than by themselves. A shout out of motivation from a friend is sufficient to keep anyone going!

2. Well-Planned Workout

As group workouts are planned from variations to the body parts that will be covered, it is easier to follow suit with other individuals than when one is alone. Group workouts generally have a fitness instructor who guides participants with proper form, benefits and helps the team avoid injuries.

When working out alone, one tends to neglect certain exercises and be choosy. Thus, group workouts help in removing many mental blocks and helps you follow through with routine.

3. Accountability

To be effective, any exercise needs to be performed using the correct form and posture, regularly. When in a group, skipping a class might make you feel guilty as you need to provide a reason to your buddies the next day. Being in a group automatically makes you more accountable.

4. Camaraderie

Since the whole group is sailing in the same boat, you tend to discuss problems and solutions related to workouts with your teammates. Meeting your fellow class members daily builds up good camaraderie and soon you have your own tribe!

5. Economical

Though everything comes with a price tag, group workouts are quite economical. The professional fees are shared among the group as a result of which it doesn’t disturb your budget.

6. Sustainable

Besides all the above-mentioned advantages, of the most crucial one is sustainability. Group workouts are constantly refreshing, challenging oneself improves the endurance level and helps to break the plateau. Thus making it an inseparable part of your lifestyle!

To put it in a nutshell, group workouts are beneficial as it not only keeps you physically fit but mentally happy too!

If you’re looking for group workouts in your city, join our GOQii Active Sunday Sessions and meet like-minded individuals for a good, early morning workout! Register here: https://goo.gl/KN82CU (Please note that the registration link activates and refreshes every Friday).

#BeTheForce