Are you making the most of your exercise time? The following tips can help evaluate an exercise program and decide whether you (or your client) would like to make changes to maximize the health and fitness benefits from every workout.

Time management is just as important with respect to exercise as it is with any other aspect of a person's life. So, if the time you have for exercise is limited, you would probably like to get the maximum possible benefits from a given block of time.

Goal Setting: First Things First

First, it's important to determine health and fitness goals. If someone's exercise time is limited, be sure that you are addressing the most important goals first. Goals can change over time, so it’s a good idea to re-examine goals every few months, then adjust your exercise program accordingly. For example, if you are feeling tight from running every day, maybe it’s time to add some stretching, a Pilates or Yoga class to the schedule.

Most personal trainers are willing to work with someone for a few sessions to be sure an exercise program matches his or her goals. It is incumbent upon the trainer to ensure that a person is performing all of the exercises safely and correctly. In addition, personal trainers can help devise a long-term plan to help an individual safely achieve realistic goals. 

Make the Most of Time.

For example, if weight loss is someone's most important goal, ensure that most of activities are good calorie burners. And don’t forget that exercise has great psychological benefits.

Many people would you like to feel less stressed and/or more focused. Regular, moderate-intensity exercise can increase a person's energy level while reducing feelings of stress.

Staying Motivated

A great exercise program is worthless if someone doesn’t do the exercise! When modifying a program, make sure the goals are realistic, and consider the factors that could interfere with attendance.

• What kinds of challenges have kept the person exercising in the past?
• Is there anything he or she can do to stick to the exercise program over the next few months?

A well-rounded fitness program that includes aerobic exercise, stretching and strength training helps increase metabolism, improve psychological well-being, prevent obesity and cardiovascular diseases, and slow the decline of strength and flexibility that occurs with aging. This type of varety can also help prevent injury. Overuse injury is most likely to occur when the same motions are performed over and over, or if there is a marked increase in exercise volume over too short a time.

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