Experts recommend that most of us get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity every day. Keeping an exercise log is a great way to stay motivated and reach exercise goals. An exercise log keeps track of what you do, allowing you to see patterns in case you are not meeting your exercise requirements. If you notice you always skip your Friday routine, for example, you can schedule that routine for Saturday instead. Best of all, your log lets you see your progress and accomplishments. The ideal exercise program combines strength training, aerobic exercise, and stretching. Keeping an exercise log lets you track of all these. If you're new to exercising, check with a coach, doctor, or trainer at your local gym for guidance on the types of exercises you should be doing. Strength Training Plan to do strength training exercises 3 days a week. Take a day off in between to give muscles time to rest. Make sure your strength training routine focuses on your body's major muscle groups: upper body, legs, and core. Warm up with some light aerobic activity before doing strength exercises and do some gentle stretches after strength training. Talk to a PE instructor, coach, or personal trainer to learn the number of sets and repetitions suited to your fitness level. Other Activities Be sure your daily routine includes activities that get you moving and your heart pumping. These aerobic activities can be anything from walking the dog to playing a pickup game of basketball. Even dancing around your room on a study break counts as long as it gets your heart rate up. Finally, add stretching for flexibility. Yoga poses are a great way to stretch muscles. Or ask a coach or gym instructor to suggest some stretches. Write these down in your exercise log. To prevent injury and make the most out of your routine, warm up your muscles with some light aerobic activity before stretching. Reflection Write down your thoughts about the exercises you're doing. Did any exercises feel uncomfortable? If something is painful, stop doing it until you have a chance to talk to your doctor or coach. Reflecting on your routine also helps you discover your exercise preferences — such as if you like staying with a few favorite activities or crave variety. Back to Articles Related Articles Nutrition & Fitness Center Visit our nutrition and fitness center for teens to get information and advice on food, exercise, and sports. Read More Easy Exercises for Teens Finding it hard to fit in fitness? Try these simple exercises for teens. Read More Motivation and the Power of Not Giving Up Everyone struggles with staying motivated and reaching their goals. Just look at how many people diet, lose weight, and then gain it back again. But it's still possible to stay motivated if you take the right approach. Read More Why Exercise Is Wise Getting the right amount of exercise can rev up your energy levels and even help you to feel better emotionally. Find out why. Read More Sports Center This site has tips on things like preparing for a new season, handling sports pressure, staying motivated, and dealing with injuries. Read More Stretching You may have heard mixed things about stretching before working out. Here are the cold, hard facts on warming up, stretching, and cooling down. Read More Strength Training Is working out with weights safe for teens? The best way to build muscle tone and definition is to combine aerobic and flexibility exercises with the right kind of strength training. Read More Choosing the Right Sport for You If you're having trouble choosing a sport, this article can help! Read More Sports and Exercise Safety Playing hard doesn't have to mean getting hurt. The best way to ensure a long and injury-free athletic career is to play it safe from the start. Find out how. Read More Yoga Looking for a workout program that's easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? Read about yoga - and watch our slideshow for some easy poses to try. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.