Getting in shape doesn't have to mean countless hours of grueling workouts at the gym. This guide gives you great tips that help you achieve your fitness goals, without being dependent on the gym alone.

Make a schedule for exercising to help you stop skipping it. Plan to exercise at certain times during the week, and don't stray from the schedule. If something on your agenda conflicts with your scheduled workout, make it up as soon as possible, and treat it just as importantly as you would a regular workout.

Always dress comfortably when doing your fitness regimen. If you are going to the gym, you should not be pressured to work out in fancy clothes. Make sure what you are wearing is easy to move around in. Good workout clothes will allow you to be able to think about what you are doing, not what you look like.

The density of your workouts should increase in order to quickly lose weight. Performing a larger number of movements in a shorter time span will boost your weight loss success. Take shorter breaks during your total workout session or do what you can to skip breaks completely. You will see an increase in the amount of weight you lose.

Always pay a trainer prior to actually starting your workouts. If you do so, you increase the chances of you going through with all the sessions you planned as compared to paying for them individually. The reason is because you have made a monetary commitment. Chances are, you won't want to waste your money.

Box squats can help you bulk up your quadriceps. Box squats give you more power to do regular squats. Just put a box down to sit on throughout your routine. The only difference between box and regular squats is you pause while sitting on the box.

When you are doing crunches, blend in some classic sit-ups. This value of this particular exercise has been underestimated in recent years. To do sit-ups safely, don't use an anchored-feet position. This way of doing sit-ups will injure your back.

Rest your body when it feels necessary. Trainers will advise you to only break in between a set. Listen to your body. While there is a reason they tell you this, it is more important to rest when your body needs to. Take a break whenever your body tells you to. If you don't, you may end up injuring yourself.

As you exercise the bicep muscles, make certain you lift weights correctly. When you perform an exercise incorrectly, you risk injury. The right way to lift weights is with your wrists slightly extended backwards. Then, slowly relax the wrist into its normal position. This is the way to do a proper bicep curl.

Give a TV workout a try if you want to avoid falling into a rut. Watch a fitness program, or find the exercise channel or on-demand video provided by your tv company. Not having a clue what will happen next and learning new moves can keep you engaged and help the workouts go by faster. If you don't have access to a TV network that airs fitness shows, try searching for videos and exercise routines online.

Weight belts have long been thought of as a staple for any weightlifting program, but newer thinking holds that they should only be used for the heaviest of weights. Constant use of a weight belt can be harmful, in the long run. It can lead to weaker core muscles, which can lead to injury.

Whenever you sprain a muscle, you must ice the injured area immediately. You can get rid of swelling and redness this way. You should also ensure that you keep the affected area elevated to maintain proper blood flow. Be sure that ice is not directly placed on skin; put it in a small towel to create a barrier between the ice and your skin.

Getting your body into better shape can be quite a challenge, but it can be enjoyable at the same time. Use a few of these fitness tips to add variety to your own workout routine. Try to think of good fitness as a daily habit. Optimizing your fitness efforts whenever and wherever possible can really speed the weight loss process.