Stamina helps us in more ways than one. Cannot sustained prolonged activity? Cannot keep running for more than 20 seconds? Cannot lift weights more than 2 reps? Low stamina can be the reason. Stamina and endurance are often used interchangeably but they are different. Stamina is the amount of time you can do one activity with maximum capacity. Endurance is the maximum amount of time you can do one activity. There are benefits of improving stamina. More energy: Good stamina means you can do an activity for a longer period. It generates more energy throughout the day to sustain the body. Better sleep: The rigorous activity that you do throughout the day will help in getting better and deeper sleep. Better body health: When stamina is increased, it helps in working out more proficiently. The more workout your body gets, the better health your body is in. Improved self-image: Having mental and physical stamina boosts confidence and improves on self-image. Tips to build and improve stamina: Running helps in building stamina: Going the distance for stamina is the mantra here. If you feel walking is your go-to stamina builder, try incorporating a running interval. Begin with a few seconds and keep increasing the duration. Cycling: Cycling not only works on the glutes, hamstrings and calves like magic, they are incredible in building stamina. Any form of cycling will increase muscle endurance. Keep increasing the pace and duration of cycling to build on stamina. Don’t turn away from carbs: Carbs are essential for building muscles. The starch and sugar in carbs are essentially used while building up on stamina. So never skip on carbs fully. Sports do wonders for stamina:Sports target a lot of muscles working simultaneously and stamina is needed to keep them working for long. Playing sports, any sports really, will not only make you move muscles that are different that working out, but also boost your stamina. Start with a sport that you like and indulge in it frequently. Isometric exercises help:Isometric exercises are those where the muscles fiber do not contract or stretch like planks, wall sit-ups. Isometric exercises are a great way for the muscles to learn to endure one specific position for a longer duration of time. Decreased recovery period between exercises:Research says that reducing recovery time between workouts increases body composition and performance. Caffeine can be your best friend: Truly so. Caffeine boosts physical, mental capacities. So having a bit of caffeine before exercising, as a pre-workout supplement, can provide more energy during workouts to build on stamina.
