Are you someone who likes the idea of working out but finds it challenging to maintain proper form during online fitness classes?
Whether you are a beginner or you have some experience, it’s quite common to feel unsure about your posture or movements when you can’t physically see an instructor correcting you.
Poor form not only reduces the effectiveness of your workout but also increases the risk of injury. So, to help you out, here are some tips to improve your form and get better results from your workouts.
1. Start with a Stable Base
A strong and stable base is the basis of any exercise you want to do. Whether it’s pilates, core exercises or even cardio, you need to ensure a stable base for maximum results.
For upper body exercises such as tricep extensions, it is essential that you engage your core and stabilize your spine by slightly tilting forward to really target those triceps. Engaging your core in every exercise is quite essential not only for better balance but also better results.
2. Focus on Posture Alignment
After joining new online fitness classes, you sometimes end up with strains or even injuries just because you weren’t focusing on your posture.
Some exercises seem easy at first but are quite difficult to execute. Such as a plank, during which you must align your shoulders directly above your wrists and keep those glutes slightly lowered to make a straight line across your back as if you are against a wall.
You would know you are doing it right when your core really starts to burn and that burn depends on your alignment. Some beginners might say they can hold a plank for 2-3 minutes but if they focus on their alignment, they wouldn’t be able to hold it for even 30 seconds.
In order to protect your joints and get the right level of muscle strength, you should actively focus on correcting your posture throughout the workout routine.
3. Mindful Breathing Techniques
You would come to find that your stamina has been improved quite significantly by actively regulating your breathing. In your online fitness classes, you must be aware of your breathing patterns, not too deep or too shallow. Focus on moving your body with every deep breath you take.
For instance, pilates is a type of exercise that is all about controlled breathing, in order to increase your oxygen supply to your muscles and slowly build up your stamina for longer and longer periods of time.
4. Use Mirrors or Reflections
Standing in front of the mirror while participating in online fitness classes can be quite useful. You can make real time adjustments to your movements and correct your posture instantly.
You must be aware of the fact that slight adjustments in your posture and movements can immensely affect your body.
Sometimes these adjustments are so minor that we do not feel we’re doing anything wrong, but one look in the mirror and you realize you need to lift your shoulders or lower your back a bit more. This self awareness during your fitness class can help smoothen your exercise techniques over time.