What’s the “best” exercise? It depends on your fitness goals and on your current physical condition. Someone who just wants be more active for overall health reasons will benefit from easier activities like walking. People determined to really transform their bodies will need a more vigorous program which includes weight training and more intensive cardiovascular activity.
A physical activity plan should be prepared by a doctor or other medical professional to ensure that medical conditions are respected and unnecessary risks avoided.
Given these general guidelines, the best form of exercise is really whatever you enjoy. If you eagerly look forward to your workout time, you will continue to do it, and that is more important than anything else. Forcing yourself to exercise because your doctor or your spouse tells you to rarely works for long. When you know you should do something, but you really don’t want to, you will always find a way to get out of it or, at least, limit it as much as possible. So rather than exercising because it’s something you should do, try to discover an activity that you really want to do.
What’s your exercise style?
What best describes your thoughts while you’re doing everything else?
I need more peace and quiet.—This can be achieved with a hike in the woods or a walk around the office park during lunch. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing offer time to reflect and enjoy nature while burning calories and strengthening muscles. Alternate these activities with yoga or tai chi, both of which can be practiced in a class or with a DVD in the privacy of your own home.
Swimming also provides time for personal reflection. Orchard Hills and Harvard Ridge are two local gyms with indoor pools.
I wish I had more time with my friends. —Walking is great for someone with this outlook too. Instead of scheduling lunch or coffee with friends, try to set up two specific walking appointments with a couple of different people each week. Schedule a walk with a friend every Monday morning and with a coworker every Friday at lunch, rather than just fitting it in whenever you think about it (which never happens). If you and your friends belong to the same health club, arrange to meet and work out at the same time at least once every week. If someone else is involved, you are much less likely to skip the workout.
I need to really work off stress. —Look for high-intensity workouts. As long as you have no medical limitations, try running or biking. For indoor options try a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical or rowing machine. If you belong to a health club, try mixing this up with a cardio routine. Instead of 30 straight minutes on one machine, do 10 minutes on each of three different types of machines. This alleviates boredom and also can be beneficial for the joints. Many people develop knee or hip pain because of too much repetitive motion, such as using the same treadmill or bike over and over again. Weight lifting can be similarly energizing. Bring along your favorite music!
I want to be with lots of other people and have fun. —Join a sports team or sign up for a boot camp or body-shaping class. These usually combine cardio, weight training, and loud music. A good instructor can make this type of class a lot of fun. Try something new like martial arts or a dance class.
Whatever your personal style and fitness goals are, if you enjoy what you’re doing you will most likely stick with it.
For more fitness information, please visit http://sitzmarkfitness.health.officelive.com.