By Mandy Gragg, ClassPass
Not all snacks are created equal, and the latest snacking craze that’s trending has changed the game of working out! If you’ve yet to hear the term “fitness snacking”, forget food, this is about spreading out your physical activity over more frequent and shorter periods of time, just like a meal schedule.
When it comes to our busy schedules, sometimes hour-long workouts just aren’t in the cards, especially when you have to count in a commute time, or family obligations. Taking a “snack break” might just be your answer to a regular and rewarding workout schedule!
Not all snacks are created equal, and the latest snacking craze that’s trending has changed the game of working out! If you’ve yet to hear the term “fitness snacking”, forget food, this is about spreading out your physical activity over more frequent and shorter periods of time, just like a meal schedule.
When it comes to our busy schedules, sometimes hour-long workouts just aren’t in the cards, especially when you have to count in a commute time, or family obligations. Taking a “snack break” might just be your answer to a regular and rewarding workout schedule!
Definition of fitness snacking
At its core, fitness snacking is centered around the concept of breaking up physical activity over the course of the day. Think of it like a game or personal competition: your progress is logged through a series of points!
For instance, walking for 30 minutes is three points, and a 45-minute spin class is five. You should aim to reach at least five points a day to keep yourself on track towards maintaining a consistent fitness level.
For instance, walking for 30 minutes is three points, and a 45-minute spin class is five. You should aim to reach at least five points a day to keep yourself on track towards maintaining a consistent fitness level.
The benefits of fitness snacking
In addition to keeping yourself honest on your workout and physical activity schedule, there are a multitude of killer benefits to your health and mood! Maintaining these shorter periods of exercise throughout the day can help combat fatigue, both physically and mentally.
These smaller, more manageable spurts of physical activity can also help prevent developing diseases like diabetes and cancer, and decrease anxiety and depression. You should aim to complete at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day to stay on track.
These smaller, more manageable spurts of physical activity can also help prevent developing diseases like diabetes and cancer, and decrease anxiety and depression. You should aim to complete at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day to stay on track.
How to become a fitness snacking pro
Simply getting moving won’t have you breaking any PRs. It’s important to make sure that you’re elevating your heart rate during your short exercise periods. Try speed walking to lunch or along your commute, and adding in mobility exercises while you’re at your desk.
The more balanced your series of exercises are, the stronger and less prone to injury you’ll be. Keep yourself organized by creating a schedule that includes all muscle groups of the body, and several stretching exercises. Log it in your calendar and set reminders for a quick session every 4 hours!
The more balanced your series of exercises are, the stronger and less prone to injury you’ll be. Keep yourself organized by creating a schedule that includes all muscle groups of the body, and several stretching exercises. Log it in your calendar and set reminders for a quick session every 4 hours!
