If you kicked off the New Year with some resolutions to get healthy and fit, you might be looking for the best workouts for men. While some of the motivation behind those goals might be related to looking better, and that can certainly be one of the benefits of regular exercise, it is important to remember that staying active has many health benefits. Some benefits will last throughout your life and will ultimately be more motivating than simply striving for a “hot bod.”
Here are some suggestions and tips for five of the best workouts for men to get you in shape, and provide great health benefits:
1. Cardio, Cardio, Cardio
Probably the most neglected part of fitness by many men, regular cardiovascular exercise can help you not only maintain a healthy body weight, but it can also help you reduce stress, and lessen your risk of heart disease. One of the easiest ways to get some cardio into your workout is to go for a run. However, there are plenty of other cardio routine options out there as well, including hiking, swimming, and cycling. Find one that you enjoy doing, and it won’t feel like such a chore.
2. Squats and Leg Presses
Squats should be a powerhouse in your routine. Sure, they are great for your legs, but when done right, they work as an excellent full body exercise that builds functional strength for the real world. Compound lifts such as squats have also been shown to trigger the release of testosterone and human growth hormone that can stimulate muscle growth throughout your entire body. Strengthening the muscles around your knees and hips by doing squats and leg presses also protects your body from injury. Read more about squats and other leg workouts.
3. Bench Press
Bench press is the foundation of upper body strength. Bench work also has some possibly unexpected benefits for men. It will certainly strengthen your chest and arm muscles, but weight training exercises have also been shown to increase bone density – lessening your risk of developing osteoarthritis and other preventable health issues. Research has also shown that weight training can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of diabetes. Read more about the bench press and other chest workouts.
4. Core: Plank, Sit-ups, etc.
Strengthening your core muscles can improve your performance in pretty much any sport or athletic activity because it improves your balance and allows you to breathe more easily. Strengthening your core will also make many everyday tasks easier and leads to good posture and a healthy back. You can strengthen your core with exercises such as planks or sit-ups and yoga is also becoming more popular with men as well as women. Read more about planks and other core workouts.
5. Back
We place almost constant stress on our backs by bending, twisting, and even simply sitting. That is why it is so important to always incorporate some back-strengthening exercises into your workout routine. Doing so will help you build strength, increase flexibility, and reduce pain. It will also help you to avoid injury during daily or athletic activities. Squats and the core exercises that we have already discussed will all work your back muscles, as will doing these back workouts.
As you develop your personal routine of balanced physical fitness habits, you will soon find that you’ll feel better and you’ll begin to enjoy a wide range of health benefits. From performing better when you are playing sports to finding daily activities easier to complete, incorporating these best workouts for men will pay back quickly.