Abby Hall has been a freelance writer since 2005, specializing in education, careers, health and travel. She has worked at educational institutions for more than 10 years. Hall has a master's degree in education administration from Fort Hays State University.
Overview
Most people leave designing a workout program to personal trainers, but it is actually something that almost anyone can do. This is great news for people who don't have a personal trainer and need to develop a workout program on their own to lose weight or simply remain healthy. If you're going it alone, there are some basic things you need to know about how to design a workout program.
Step 1
Know the audience and their capabilities. It is important that you know who the workout program is for and what their physical limitations are. If you are designing the program for yourself, carefully consider what you are able to do and what you need to build up to. Someone who hasn't exercised in a year usually can't run 3 miles on his first day. Instead, he must start out with smaller bits of running or walking and slowly build up to the 3 miles.
Step 2
Understand the purpose of the workout. Just as it is important to know who the workout program is for, it is also important to know why the workout program exists. A program for someone who wants to lose weight should include a lot of aerobic and cardio workouts, whereas someone who wants to build her strength should include a variety of weightlifting and strength-training exercises. The purpose of the workout will help dictate the focus, although cardio, aerobic and strength exercises should be incorporated into all workouts at some level.
Step 3
Determine what equipment will be used. There is a large variety of workout equipment you can incorporate into your program. In addition, you can use objects in your community, like park sidewalks or bleacher stairs, to give yourself a workout.
Step 4
Incorporate variety. One of the great things about exercise is the number of different ways in which you can get it. Make sure to include variety into the workout program to prevent the person who is following the program from getting bored and quitting.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Having a background in exercise science or kinesiology may help you plan workout programs, but it's not a requirement.
- WARNING : Always consult with your personal physician before taking on any workout program.
