10 signs you’re out of shape

You may huff and puff going up a few flights of stairs. Or you can feel out of breath and in pain with just a bit of exertion. Although this can happen occasionally to many people, sometimes it can be an indicator of poor cardiovascular health.

According to the World health Organization, adults aged 18 to 64 years old should be engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity. That’s because exercise has many health benefits include lowering blood pressure, preventing cardiovascular disease, improving depression, reducing chronic pain, and more.

But, not everyone abides by these guidelines. And even those who try, may not be doing it regularly enough.

We asked doctors and personal trainers how you can tell if you are out of shape, and what you can do to fix it.

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Do you huff and puff after getting up from the couch to go to the kitchen? How about walking up a single flight of stairs? This is likely because your cardiovascular system is being taxed to provide essential oxygen to muscles (including your heart muscle) that are exerting an increased effort by your increased exertion via physical activity, explains orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Cordelia Carter. She adds “and you may not be in the best shape.”

In this context, being “in shape” means that “the cardiovascular system has adapted to the increased physical demands placed upon it,” Dr Carter says. “People who are ‘in shape’ are able to maintain respiratory rates and heart rates that are closer to their baseline, which is usually less than 20 breaths per minute and heart rate is usually less than 100 beats per minute.”

You can work to try to change this by slowly, deliberately and consistently increasing the amount of physical activity that you do each day. For example, “You might start by increasing the frequency and distance that you walk each day and then gradually increase the intensity, too by quickening your pace over time,” suggests Dr Carter. A similar approach can be taken with cycling, an elliptical machine, treadmill, or any other piece of stationary equipment, she adds.

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If you’re waiting in line to buy groceries and you’re noticing that your back is aching, this could be a sign that your core and paraspinal or back muscles are weak.

“Try to perform some elevated planks with your hands on a counter or table while bracing your core for five to 10 seconds, five times, twice a day,” says rehabilitation specialist, Dr Nadya Swedan. “You can also try adding in small-motion crunches, 10 reps, three times a day. And try to stretch your core in a cobra position.” All of these exercises and stretches will help your strengthen your core over time.

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Is throwing a baseball or football with your kid or friends becoming a drag after a couple of tosses? “The throwing motion requires a good deal of dynamic stability of the shoulder, as well as stability and strength of the trunk and lower body,” says Heather Milton, an exercise physiologist and clinical specialist. “Soreness after throwing light throws may be a sign that these muscles are not well conditioned, or that your shoulder range of motion is limited.”

Milton recommends warming up before playing. “Do 10 to 15 minutes of 30 to 60 seconds each of shoulder rotations, flexion, pushing and pulling, walking lunges, lateral lunges, planks and side plank,” she says. “These exercises can also be performed daily to improve your throwing fitness.”

There are some fitness trackers and watches that can measure your heart rate. If you notice that you have an elevated heart rate while being sedentary, this could be a sign that you’re dehydrated, anxious, not getting enough sleep, not eating well, or out of shape in general.

“When you are physically out of shape your body must work that much harder in order to create circulation in the body causing the heart to beat faster,” says fitness trainer, Mat Forzaglia.

Exercising more regularly can help lower your resting heart rate. “Doing a cardio modality at least two to three times a week for 30 minutes or more,” suggests Forzaglia. “Those who are out of shape need to raise their heart rate so an aerobic activity, like running, cycling, or using the elliptical, will help.”

This should be a gradual and consistent approach to increasing the frequency, duration and intensity of physical activity that you perform, adds Dr Carter.

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If you dread exercise because you seem to tweak your shoulder, back, knee, or some other body part that hasn’t bothered you before, it could be a sign you’re out of shape. According to performance enhancement coach Kevin Gary, this is also a sign “you’re not mechanically prepared to do the work.” So what can you do?

“Start with foam rolling and stretching,” suggests Gary. “Then try to add in some mobility and movement prep work.” He suggests exercises like bird-dogs, dead bugs, glute bridges, forearm wall slides and jumping jacks, doing two sets of 10 reps each. (Google these exercises to see them demonstrated.) “These exercises are a great way to make sure that your muscles and nervous system are primed and ready for a workout.”

It’s okay to seek a close parking spot to the entrance of a store for convenience. However, if you’re doing this because you know the walk from the back of the parking lot can leave you breathless, this may indicate you need to be more active. “Chances are good that your body activity is low, and you’re not motivated to walk because it will fatigue you or cause pain,” says Dr Swedan.

She suggests starting to add in a bit more physical activity. “Try marching in place for one minute followed by 30 seconds of rests, five times a day for a week – then twice a day or increase to 10 minutes.”

Then try finding a parking spot farther away, and increase the distance each week. “If hip, knee, ankle or foot pain is the reason you’re not wanting to walk far, and the pain is really problematic, you may want to consider seeing a doctor or physical therapist to be evaluated,” suggests Dr Swedan.

If you’re mid-workout and in the mirror, you notice your arms and chest are falling far forward during a simple squat (or a trainer points this out), don’t write this off as nothing. “This could be a sign that your posterior chain muscles, including your glutes, hamstrings, and spinal stabilisers aren’t being recruited correctly,” explains Milton.

The best way to fix this is by strengthening and activating those underactive muscles. “Start with exercises like glute bridges and deadlifts that emphasise activation of these posterior muscles,” suggests Milton. “Try three sets of 10 repetitions every other day.”

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Are you feeling way more exhausted than usual, day in and day out, even when you’re not you’re exerting yourself too much? This could actually be your body’s way of telling you that you need to move more. (Although check with your doctor to rule out more serious problems.)

Try to find an exercise programme that incorporates cardio and strength training, and do your best to stick with it. “Getting your heart rate up and increasing the activation of endorphins to your brain with a solid strength training program will give you energy to move around without feeling stuck in the mud,” says Forzaglia. “Moving increases circulation, which is key for your body to function normally.”

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If these typical daily tasks are feeling even more like chores because you find yourself quickly out of breath, don’t ignore it.

“Upper body activities are just as straining on your cardiovascular, or heart and blood vessels, as lower body exercise,” explains Dr Swedan. “If your heart rate or pulse is above 110 doing these activities, you are out of shape.”

Focusing on exercises that target the upper body muscles can help. Dr Swedan suggests starting with water bottles as weights for arm exercises. “Do ten reps of bicep curls, three times a day, along with raising your arms forward just above the head,” she says. “When you’re comfortable with that, move to 1kg weights, then up to 2kg over a month.”