Whether you choose to exercise to feel better, look better, lose weight, follow doctor's orders, due to peer pressure or because you are tired of being out of shape, your exercise choices are nearly unlimited. Search the internet and you will find thousands of programs and styles and regimens. Which one is the best one? How do you choose from the vast array of choices? The best one for you is any of those. The best one for you is the one or ones you can do consistently.
Below are a few questions to ask as you search for an exercise program that suits you.
Why are you exercising?
If you are looking to lose weight, first start with your eating. You will not be able to out exercise poor food choices. But exercise geared toward weight loss is a product of time and effort. The more time you put into exercise the less effort you will need as long as you're raising your heart rate. If you are exercising to complete a specific event, spend a majority of your time on exercises geared toward that event.
How much time do you have?
If you have limited time, think twice before deciding to train for an Ironman or marathon. Find activities near your home or work so that you are not spending extra time getting to and going from the workout. Condense your exercise and increase the intensity so that you are able to maximize the time you have.
What resources do you have?
Do you own a home gym, a gym membership or have the money to pay for classes or personal training? Or are you filling milk cartons with water to simulate dumbbells? Gyms, workout rooms and personal trainers are great as they offer a broader variety of routines and equipment you can use to get moving. But running, hiking, and calisthenics can be done with no equipment and a limited budget.
What is your experience level?
Did you recently finish your eleventh marathon and looking to try something new or was your idea of exercise going from the couch to the refrigerator? If you are new to exercising or haven't exercised in some time, start slow. High intensity exercises are very trendy but jump into them too early and you risk injury and burnout.
Try swimming, fast walking or jogging, or low intensity aerobics. Or use smaller weights in a resistance training program as you learn proper form. As you gain strength and increase your breathing capacity you can raise the intensity.
What type of personality do you have?
Are you organized with a planner that activates your life or do you get up in the morning and decide where to go from there? Do you like to work out alone or do you prefer being part of a group? Do you work better with a goal in mind or does that just work to frustrate you?
Be careful not to choose a program that goes against your personality type. If you hate large crowds, don't choose a 10k event with 30,000 other participants or a crowded aerobics class. If you like to be a part of a group, think twice before deciding on ultra-marathons.
Mix it up and Keep moving.
The benefits of exercise, both physical and psychological are significant. Don't give up because you haven't found something that works for you. Try something new. The internet is a great resource for exercise programs. Find one and try it. Even if you like it, think about mixing it up to avoid burn out. A change will also work different muscles.
Getting your lungs in shape and your muscles taut is not a one size fits all endeavor. You are not the same as your neighbor, spouse or friends. Don't give up because their idea of exercise is not yours. Eventually, you will find something that clicks and your body and mind will thank you for it.