What Type Of Exercise Is Best For You?

With so many different types of training programs out there it can be quite overwhelming. But when it comes down to it, the exercise you should do is the one you will actually do.

The fitness and exercise landscape is now extremely diverse and can be quite confusing. What’s going to be the most effective path to fitness for you? Should you join a gym, cycling club or running group? Perhaps take up Pilates, yoga or spin classes? Maybe lift weights, swim laps, do online HIIT, or attend an outdoors fitness group (this last one is a great idea!). There are a lot of options. So how do you decide what’s right for you?

Here are some things to consider when choosing an exercise program:

Goals

Do you want to run a marathon? Then obviously you will need to focus on a running program with a good base of strength training. Want to lose weight? Combine cardiovascular training with strength training and improved nutrition. Want to improve your stability and core strength? Then consider a Pilates program. Is your focus simply to improve your fitness and health? Choose a program that offers a range of fitness activities. First work out what it is you want to achieve, then align your exercise program with these goals.

Current fitness level / injury considerations

Although this seems obvious, you would be surprised at the number of people who jump into an intense training program with no base fitness and either hate every minute of it because it’s too hard, or very quickly injure themselves. Others start running again or sign up to play soccer after a long break and find that old injuries very quickly flare up. Make sure you ease into your new exercise program, but equally, it’s important ensure the program you choose is challenging enough for your fitness level so you are able to improve over time.

Availability

Exercise needs to fit comfortably into your life. If you have to travel too far or attend classes at a time that doesn’t suit your schedule, you will very quickly drop the ball and miss a session here and there. It is far too easy to find excuses to skip your training sessions, so make sure you don’t set yourself up to fail by making your exercise choices difficult to do.

Variety is key

In last week’s blog we discussed the importance of variety in relation to gut health. Variety is equally important when it comes to exercise. If you choose to run, and all you do is run, you will miss out on the many benefits that come from lifting weights and doing other forms of strength training. If you lift weights but do no cardiovascular training, you will miss out on the benefits gained from strengthening your cardiovascular system. Your training program should include a mix of strength, stretching, cardiovascular training, core and stability work. Including variety in your training program will also help to keep you interested and engaged.

Do what you enjoy

Sometimes we get so bogged down trying to work out which form of exercise is going to be the most effective that we forget that exercise needs to be fun! As we’ve discussed, exercise is difficult to commit to at the best of times, so if you choose something you actually don’t like doing, it simply won’t last. There is no point signing up for a 12-month gym membership if you hate gyms. Or buying yourself an exercise bike only to have it sit in the garage gathering dust. If you like exercising with other people, join a group class of some sort. If you’re a beach lover, try ocean swimming. If you enjoy music, sign up for Zumba classes. If you like being outside, choose an outdoor exercise program. There is no big secret to exercise. Simply move your body as much as you can, as often as you can.