How to Create a Personal Fitness Plan

If you’d like to get stronger or faster, lose weight, or just improve the quality of your life, consider creating a personal fitness plan to meet your goals. There are many kinds of possible plans and most incorporate a mix of aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises. Assess your level of fitness and craft a plan suited to you.

1. Assessing your Fitness Level

Start with the basics. You’ve decided to get fit — that’s a great first step. But don’t just jump in without giving it some thought. Start with simple things: Is there anything stopping you from getting fit? Do you have any health issues? Should you talk to a doctor first?[1][2] You probably don’t need to talk to a doctor if you’re under 50 and in good health, but it is always recommended before starting a new exercise program. If you’re over 50 or have health issues — like high blood pressure, heart problems, dizzy spells, or arthritis — talk to your doctor first. Keep in mind that balance and strength decrease as you age. This can limit your ability to exercise or make injuries more likely, and harder to heal. But, by exercising with caution and a little guidance, you can improve these things through exercise. When in doubt, talk to a physician. Your physician can indicate any activities you should steer away from.