Most people think about goal-setting around the first of the year. But this isn’t the only time of year to think about your goals. It’s a good idea to take a step back to think about your fitness goals no matter what time of year.
Taking time to set personal goals will make a difference in your workouts and training. To get the most out of your workout routine and maximize your results, start with effective fitness goals.
How do you set effective fitness goals? The SMART goal framework can help.
S – Specific
An effective fitness goal is clearly defined. You want to be as specific as possible. A goal like “get fit” is not specific. Since “get fit” can mean many different things, you need to define what you mean by fit.
M – Measurable
Once you have a specific goal, the next part of the process is making sure that it’s measurable. Going back to our “get fit” goal example, there is no clear way to measure progress toward this goal in these terms. How would you know when you are “fit”? Make your goal measurable so that you’ll know when you’ve made progress and when you’ve achieved success.
A – Achievable
As you create fitness goals, ask yourself if they are realistic. Is your goal achievable? And how do you know? To get a gauge of what is realistic to work toward, think about your workout history. Then set a goal that will challenge you but is also within your grasp. If you set a goal that stretches you too far, it can squash your motivation. You won’t be excited about working hard if the outcome isn’t even possible.
R – Relevant
Another point to consider is why your goals are important to you. Why is a particular goal relevant? If you’re not sure, then it can be hard to stay committed to seeing a goal through to success. But if a goal is relevant to the lifestyle you’re working toward, you’re more likely to be invested in what you need to do to accomplish it.
T – Time-Based
The final part of the goal-setting process is to create a timeline for your goals. Set a deadline for when you want to meet a particular goal. Once you have your deadline, you can start to work backward and create smaller mini-deadlines. These checkpoints are places where you can check in on your progress and make sure that you’re staying on track.
Reach your fitness goals at McKendree Metro Rec Plex. To learn more about the programs we’re currently offering and how to get started, contact us today.
