How to Get Fit: 7 Practical Ways to Improve Your Fitness

If you want to know how to get fit, the most effective approach is surprisingly straightforward: move regularly, combine cardio and strength training, gradually increase the challenge, and give your body enough time to recover.

You don't need extreme workouts or hours in the gym every day. Whether you're starting from scratch, returning to exercise after a break, wondering how to get in shape, or trying to get fit fast, consistent training that suits your current fitness level will get you further than short bursts of unsustainable effort.

TL;DR: How to Get Fit

• Start at a manageable fitness level.
• Include both cardio and strength training.
• Increase your training gradually.
• Move more throughout the day.
• Include mobility and flexibility work.
• Prioritise sleep and recovery.
• Choose activities you enjoy enough to keep doing.

The best way to get fit is not to train as hard as possible. It is to build a routine you can consistently progress.

1. Start Slowly and Build Your Fitness Consistently

If you're wondering how to start getting fit or how to get in shape after a long break, start with exercise that feels manageable and build from there. Going from very little activity to intense daily workouts is unnecessary and can make your new routine difficult to maintain.

Good starting activities include:

• 15 to 30 minutes of brisk walking
• Easy cycling on an exercise bike 
• Low-impact sessions on a cross trainer 
• Basic bodyweight exercises
• Light resistance training
• Comfortable sessions on a rowing machine 

For example, if you haven't exercised regularly for several months, three manageable workouts this week may be more useful than attempting seven hard sessions and feeling exhausted by the following week.

As your fitness improves, gradually increase the duration, resistance, frequency or intensity of your workouts.

Orbit Expert Tip: Make consistency your first fitness goal. Once regular exercise becomes part of your week, progressing your workouts becomes much easier.

2. How to Improve Cardio Fitness

The best way to improve cardio fitness is to perform aerobic exercise regularly and progressively challenge your heart and lungs with longer sessions, greater resistance, increased pace or controlled intervals.

Walking, running, cycling, rowing, swimming and cross training can all improve cardiovascular fitness. You don't need to do all of them. Choose activities that suit your fitness level, preferences and available space. If you're deciding between different equipment options, our guide to the best cardio machines to get results fast can help you compare the options. 

For home workouts, different cardio machines offer different training experiences:

How can you increase cardio fitness?

Progress your workouts gradually.

If you can comfortably walk for 20 minutes, for example, you might progress by walking for a little longer, increasing your pace or adding an incline.

Once you have established a fitness base, intervals can also add variety and intensity.

A simple cardio interval session could look like this:

1. Warm up at an easy pace for 5 minutes.
2. Exercise at a comfortable pace for 2 minutes.
3. Increase your effort for 1 minute.
4. Return to a comfortable pace for 2 minutes.
5. Repeat several times.
6. Finish with an easy cool-down.

You don't need to exercise at maximum intensity for interval training to be challenging.

Look for practical signs of progress. Being able to exercise for longer, recover more comfortably or complete the same workout with less effort can all indicate improving cardio fitness.

3. Combine Cardio and Strength Training

For most people, the best way to get fit is to combine cardiovascular exercise with strength training rather than relying exclusively on one type of workout.

Cardio develops your cardiovascular endurance, while resistance training helps build muscular strength and endurance. Combining them creates a more balanced approach to general fitness.

If resistance exercise is new to you, Orbit's beginner's guide to strength training explains the basic equipment you need to start without overcomplicating your setup. 

A well-rounded routine can include:

There isn't one best exercise to get fit because different activities develop different aspects of fitness.

If you enjoy walking or running, a treadmill can help you train regardless of the weather. If you prefer seated, low-impact cardio, an exercise bike may suit you better. A cross trainer provides low-impact movement involving both the upper and lower body, while rowing combines cardiovascular exercise with significant whole-body involvement.

The right exercise is ultimately one that suits your goals and that you'll perform consistently.

4. How to Get Fit at Home

You can absolutely get fit at home. A useful home fitness routine combines cardiovascular activity, resistance exercises and mobility work, and it doesn't require a large dedicated gym.

One of the biggest advantages of exercising at home is convenience. Removing the trip to and from the gym can make it easier to fit regular workouts around work, family and everyday commitments.

As you progress, equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells and an adjustable bench can expand the exercises available without requiring a complete home gym. 

Not sure what equipment is worth adding first? Our guide to the best equipment for home workouts breaks down practical options for different training goals. 

What are the best exercises to get fit at home?

A simple home workout could include:

• Bodyweight squats
• Reverse lunges
• Push-ups or elevated push-ups
• Resistance band rows
• Dumbbell shoulder presses
• Glute bridges
• Planks
• Walking, cycling or rowing for cardio

If you're just starting, bodyweight exercises and resistance bands can provide plenty of training options.

As you progress, equipment such as dumbbells, kettlebells and an adjustable bench can expand the exercises available without requiring a complete home gym.

For regular cardio sessions, a treadmill, exercise bike, rowing machine or cross trainer can also make training at home more convenient.

How to get fit fast at home

If you're wondering how to get fit fast at home, avoid trying to make every workout harder than the last. Instead, progressively increase one or two aspects of your training.

For example, you can:

• Add resistance
• Complete additional repetitions
• Add another set
• Extend your cardio sessions
• Increase your walking or running pace
• Add incline on a treadmill
• Progress to more challenging exercise variations

Small improvements accumulated over weeks are more useful than attempting to transform your fitness with a handful of extreme workouts.

5. Use Interval Training to Improve Fitness Quickly

Interval training can be an efficient way to improve fitness quickly, particularly once you've developed a basic level of cardiovascular fitness.

High-intensity interval training, commonly known as HIIT, alternates periods of harder exercise with periods of easier activity or recovery. It can be performed on cardio equipment or with bodyweight exercises.

Popular options include:

• Treadmill intervals
• Exercise bike intervals
• Rowing intervals
• Cross trainer intervals
• Bodyweight circuits

Once you've established a basic fitness foundation, you can introduce short intervals to add variety and intensity. For more workout ideas, explore these HIIT workouts and adapt the difficulty to your current fitness level. 

Is HIIT the fastest way to get fit?

HIIT can provide a time-efficient cardiovascular workout, but it isn't automatically the fastest way to get fit for everyone.

Beginners can make meaningful progress with moderate-intensity cardio and basic strength training before introducing demanding intervals. If every session is extremely intense, it can also become harder to recover adequately and maintain your routine.

A beginner-friendly approach could be as simple as alternating a short period of faster cycling with a longer period of comfortable pedalling.

As your fitness improves, you can gradually adjust the work periods, recovery periods or resistance.

Important: A challenging workout does not have to leave you completely exhausted to be effective. Training and recovery work together.

6. Increase Fitness With Strength Training

Strength training is an important part of how to increase fitness because it develops muscular strength and endurance while complementing cardiovascular exercise.

You don't need to follow an advanced bodybuilding program to benefit.

For general fitness, focus on fundamental movement patterns such as:

• Squatting
• Lunging
• Pushing
• Pulling
• Hip hinging
• Carrying
• Bracing and core stability

These movements can be trained using your body weight, dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, barbells, functional trainers or home gym equipment.

A simple full-body strength workout might include:

1. Goblet squats
2. Dumbbell or machine chest presses
3. Dumbbell or cable rows
4. Romanian deadlifts
5. Shoulder presses
6. Planks or another core stability exercise

Technique should come before weight. Learn to perform each movement with control, then gradually increase resistance, repetitions or overall training volume as you become stronger.

These movements can be trained using your body weight, dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, barbells or other strength training equipment. 

7. Make Exercise Part of Your Weekly Routine

One of the most reliable ways to get fit is also one of the simplest: build exercise into your normal week instead of treating fitness as a short-term challenge.

The perfect workout plan isn't particularly useful if you dislike it enough to stop after two weeks.

Creating a routine that fits your lifestyle can make consistency easier. If that's your biggest challenge, read our guide on how to build a workout routine you'll actually stick to. 

Choose activities you actually enjoy.

If running isn't for you, try cycling, rowing or cross training. If traditional weight training feels repetitive, functional training may suit you. Pilates or yoga can complement your routine if you enjoy controlled movement, mobility and flexibility work.

Movement outside structured workouts matters too.

Look for opportunities to:

• Walk instead of driving short distances
• Take the stairs
• Go for a walk during your lunch break
• Move around while taking phone calls
• Spend active time with family or friends
• Break up long periods of sitting

These activities don't need to replace your planned workouts. They simply help make movement a bigger part of everyday life.

What does a balanced weekly fitness routine look like?

A general beginner-friendly week might look like this:

This is an example rather than a universal prescription. Your ideal routine depends on your starting fitness, schedule, goals and ability to recover.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get Fit?

The fastest way to get fit is to train consistently, combine cardio and strength work, progressively increase the challenge and recover adequately between sessions.

Trying to accelerate progress by doing too much too soon can work against you. Instead, focus on making your current routine slightly more challenging as your fitness improves.

Increase your training gradually

When a workout becomes comfortable, introduce a small progression. That might mean:

• Five more minutes of cardio
• Slightly more resistance
• An additional set
• A more challenging exercise variation
• A controlled interval

You don't need to increase everything simultaneously.

Prioritise recovery

Your body needs time between demanding workouts. Understanding why recovery is just as important as your workout can help you balance challenging training with adequate rest. 

Sleep is an important part of recovery too. Australia's current movement guidelines recommend adults aim for 7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep, with consistent sleep and wake times.

Track meaningful progress

Fitness is much broader than the number on the bathroom scales.

Consider tracking:

• Workout duration
• Walking or running distance
• Cardio resistance or incline
• Weights lifted
• Repetitions completed
• How difficult a familiar workout feels
• How consistently you're exercising

These measures can show progress even when changes in appearance happen gradually.

How Long Does It Take to Get in Shape?

There is no universal timeline for getting fit. Your starting point, goals, training frequency, workout intensity, recovery and general health can all affect how quickly your fitness improves.

It also depends on what getting fit means to you.

Your goal might be to:

• Walk 5 km comfortably
• Run your first 5 km
• Exercise three times each week
• Improve cardio fitness
• Become stronger
• Feel more capable during everyday activities
• Establish a consistent home workout routine

Instead of chasing an arbitrary deadline, define a measurable goal and track your progress towards it.

If you can walk further, use more resistance, lift more weight or recover more comfortably than you could a few weeks ago, you're moving in the right direction.

Start Building Your Fitness Routine

Learning how to get fit isn't about finding one perfect exercise or a shortcut to instant results. It comes down to consistently doing the fundamentals well: cardiovascular exercise, strength training, regular everyday movement, gradual progression and adequate recovery.

And if your goal is how to get fit fast, those fundamentals still apply. Start at an appropriate level, make your workouts progressively more challenging and choose activities you can realistically continue.

For more than 40 years, Orbit Fitness has helped Australians find fitness equipment suited to their goals, homes and training preferences. From treadmills and exercise bikes to strength equipment and complete home gym setups, the right equipment should make it easier to train consistently, not make fitness more complicated.

Ready to get started? Explore Orbit Fitness's cardio and strength equipment online, or visit one of our Perth stores for practical advice on building a fitness setup that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Fit

How do I start getting fit if I haven't exercised in years?

Start with manageable activities such as walking, easy cycling or basic resistance exercises, then gradually build your training. You don't need to immediately jump into intense workouts or exercise every day.

If you have an existing health condition, have been inactive for a long period or aren't sure what level of exercise is appropriate, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional before significantly increasing your activity.

How can I get fit fast?

The best approach is to exercise consistently, combine cardiovascular and strength training and gradually make your workouts more challenging. Getting fit quickly shouldn't mean exercising as hard as possible every day. Recovery and consistency are important parts of improving fitness.

What is the best exercise to get fit?

There is no single best exercise for getting fit. A combination of cardiovascular activity, resistance training and mobility or functional movement develops more aspects of overall fitness than relying on one exercise alone.

How can I improve cardio fitness?

Perform aerobic activities such as brisk walking, running, cycling, rowing or cross training regularly. As your fitness improves, gradually increase your workout duration, pace, resistance or use controlled intervals to provide additional challenge.

Can I get fit at home?

Yes. Exercises to get fit at home can include squats, lunges, push-ups, rows, dumbbell exercises and core work alongside cardio such as walking, cycling or rowing. Home fitness equipment can provide additional training options, but you don't need a fully equipped gym to begin.

How many days a week should I exercise to get fit?

Australian guidelines encourage adults to be active on most days, preferably every day, while including muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days each week. Your individual workout frequency should also reflect your current fitness, goals and recovery.