5 tips to take your exercise routine to the next level

By Angela Young

These 5 tips to take your exercise routine to the next level will keep you motivated and help you reach your goal faster.

1. Failure is Good

It may sound crazy, but everyone experiences failure in their training and it will make you strong in what you're working toward. Without failure you don't find ways to improve.

2. Research

Before you set out on an athletic adventure you need to do a little research. This should include about the gear you're going to use, the training plan that will work for you and tips to accomplish your goals.

3. Set Achieveable Goals

When training or working toward an athletic goal you need to set something achieveable. If you've never ran a mile you aren't likely to safely finish a full marathon after two months of training. You need to set goals you can accomplish and be proud of. When you achieve them, set new goals based on your progress.

4. Train Smart

This goes hand-in-hand with setting the right goals. If you've never lifted weights, trying to bench 100 pounds is not only unlikely, but also unsafe. When you're working to achieve training goals, do it smart to avoid injury. Work with a trainer to put together a training plan customized just for you.

5. Cross Train

When you're working to build up your fitness level you need to cross train. If you're primarily a runner, try biking or swimming once a week to build other muscle groups and give your joints a break. The same goes for biking or any other athletic arena. You need to change it up to be successful and build your fitness level at a progressive, safe rate.