Which Type of Exercise is Best?
What is the best way to lose weight? What is the best type of exercise?
These two questions and countless variations have been asked time and time again.
The answer is however not as straightforward as you think. The best exercise for you depends on you, yes there are systems, techniques and principles set out in countless books, magazines and websites, but if there was one way to lose weight that worked for everyone someone out there would be a very rich person!
Everyone is different and your body will respond to exercise in a different way to the person next to you.
In order to find the best way to exercise for you we need to ask a few questions.
What do you like doing?
What do you hate doing?
Do you have to pay membership fees?
Do you need a training partner?
Do you need to buy equipment?
What is it you want to achieve?
If you choose something you enjoy you are more likely to stay with it and be rewarded for it. Imagine having to drag yourself out of bed at 6am to go for a run. If you love running you will wake up ready for your workout, if on the other hand the word running sounds like finger nails being dragged across a black board, there is a good chance you may not run today, especially in the winter or bad weather.
Although if you have set a goal to do a fun run or a running challenge, probably best to get out of bed!
Walking is a great place to start as it suits all levels of fitness and anyone can start a walking program at any time. Only the intensity and duration will be different for individuals. Walking is not only cost effective it is also a social activity. It’s not hard to find a training partner to chat to while you workout. This also makes the time go faster and can keep you working at a good intensity during the workout.
Whatever exercise method you choose, always start at an intensity that suits your level of fitness and build up the work rate over the weeks. This is essential to the longevity of your exercise program. If you start too hard or to fast you could get an injury or be prone to over-training and then you will have to take time off to get over it and recover.
If you are really unfit, start by walking for 10 minutes each day. Increase it by 5 minutes every 2 weeks building up to 30 minutes.
To make it more interesting try walking a different course every few days. You can also enlist a different friend to walk with you each day of the week. Or join a walking or hiking group.
You may prefer to join a gym or fitness center. When choosing a gym make sure you research and check out the gyms in your area to make sure they give a good level of service. If they’re not willing to treat you well before you join, then they certainly won’t afterwards!
Due to the cost make sure you are happy and comfortable there. Check whether you are signing up to a minimum contract and ask to try the facilities before you sign up, making sure you visit at the times you are likely to go within the cooling off period. Are the instructors’ qualified, happy to help and will keep in regular contact. Ask about the after sales and induction process; will they help you with a program and revise it at regular periods?
They should have a lot of equipment to provide variety and you should be shown comprehensively how to use it. Make sure that their equipment is well serviced. It’s easy to check, just listen when the machines are being used. If they squeak a lot, or make a grinding noise, then there’s a fair chance that they’re not looked after. Keep an eye out for out of order signs for extended periods of time.
If you’re still not sure what you should do, then why not consider a sport like tennis or golf? There are social competitions in most areas and you may find new people to workout with.
Whatever you decide on, it must be something that you can enjoy. Find that type of exercise and you’ll be well on the way to a new you!
These two questions and countless variations have been asked time and time again.
The answer is however not as straightforward as you think. The best exercise for you depends on you, yes there are systems, techniques and principles set out in countless books, magazines and websites, but if there was one way to lose weight that worked for everyone someone out there would be a very rich person!
Everyone is different and your body will respond to exercise in a different way to the person next to you.
In order to find the best way to exercise for you we need to ask a few questions.
What do you like doing?
What do you hate doing?
Do you have to pay membership fees?
Do you need a training partner?
Do you need to buy equipment?
What is it you want to achieve?
If you choose something you enjoy you are more likely to stay with it and be rewarded for it. Imagine having to drag yourself out of bed at 6am to go for a run. If you love running you will wake up ready for your workout, if on the other hand the word running sounds like finger nails being dragged across a black board, there is a good chance you may not run today, especially in the winter or bad weather.
Although if you have set a goal to do a fun run or a running challenge, probably best to get out of bed!
Walking is a great place to start as it suits all levels of fitness and anyone can start a walking program at any time. Only the intensity and duration will be different for individuals. Walking is not only cost effective it is also a social activity. It’s not hard to find a training partner to chat to while you workout. This also makes the time go faster and can keep you working at a good intensity during the workout.
Whatever exercise method you choose, always start at an intensity that suits your level of fitness and build up the work rate over the weeks. This is essential to the longevity of your exercise program. If you start too hard or to fast you could get an injury or be prone to over-training and then you will have to take time off to get over it and recover.
If you are really unfit, start by walking for 10 minutes each day. Increase it by 5 minutes every 2 weeks building up to 30 minutes.
To make it more interesting try walking a different course every few days. You can also enlist a different friend to walk with you each day of the week. Or join a walking or hiking group.
You may prefer to join a gym or fitness center. When choosing a gym make sure you research and check out the gyms in your area to make sure they give a good level of service. If they’re not willing to treat you well before you join, then they certainly won’t afterwards!
Due to the cost make sure you are happy and comfortable there. Check whether you are signing up to a minimum contract and ask to try the facilities before you sign up, making sure you visit at the times you are likely to go within the cooling off period. Are the instructors’ qualified, happy to help and will keep in regular contact. Ask about the after sales and induction process; will they help you with a program and revise it at regular periods?
They should have a lot of equipment to provide variety and you should be shown comprehensively how to use it. Make sure that their equipment is well serviced. It’s easy to check, just listen when the machines are being used. If they squeak a lot, or make a grinding noise, then there’s a fair chance that they’re not looked after. Keep an eye out for out of order signs for extended periods of time.
If you’re still not sure what you should do, then why not consider a sport like tennis or golf? There are social competitions in most areas and you may find new people to workout with.
Whatever you decide on, it must be something that you can enjoy. Find that type of exercise and you’ll be well on the way to a new you!
