In a world with and UNLIMITED amount of options. you can imagine how hard it is to pick just one thing to settle on. You can be involved in almost anything your can think of and there is probably a class that fits any of your fitness needs and goals. With so many options, how can you really choose what you should do? Having options is great but too many can lead you to trying a multitude of things and not sticking to a plan, therefore creating a path for varied results. If you are facing this issue here are some things to think about next time you want to switch it all up!
A great starting point is to make a list of the activities you truly enjoy doing. It can be as simple as walking your dog or to skydiving. You are the one in charge of your hobbies and that will be a good basis as to what you might enjoy doing physically.
Second key is for all the beginners out there. You need to learn to get into a habit and routine of doing activities so you literally need to start small. Don’t have a crazy thought of just going for it one week, you can become seriously sick if your body doesn’t respond to the stress of training. Instead, try low-impact activities like hiking, swimming, or machine circuit training at your local gym. If you can, hire a trainer for one on one instructions on how to perform certain exercises. If you prefer privacy, do some online workout videos at home and get your body moving. Set your baseline, then go for the heavier, harder stuff.
More advanced fitness enthusiasts have a lot of things they can identify with. I am going to go over some of the different types of athletes you can relate to and what a good fit for fitness can be !
If you are more advanced and have that competitive drive that needs to be fulfilled, CrossFit is excellent !! If you know your way around your body and love to push yourself trying out a CrossFit class is an amazing way to dig into that competitive nature. If your talent and body gravitate toward power, then powerlifiting and CrossFit are great choices.
Are you a spiritual person? Do you enjoy just relaxing into nature and finding the peaceful moments? If spirituality is important to you, then the way you move your body should reflect that. Doing cardio at the gym is more than likely not going to feed your soul. Instead, try things that connect the body to the mind like qi gong or yoga. Even many churches host physical activities and groups based in and around exercise.
Group training is not for everyone but if you are more likely to stick to a regular fitness program knowing you have friends that are holding you accountable then it might be the ticket for your training ! Taking group classes where you have some extrinsic motivation to keep you moving is better for the person who enjoys having a sense of community. If you enjoy working out in groups, taking group fitness is your best option. Just don’t forget it’s not a social hour to be chatty, you still need to work hard for results to occur.
If you prefer to move and dance as your workout, taking classes that reflect this type of movement are great. If dance is a passion, you’ll not only be getting a good workout, but you’ll be having fun and improving your aptitude in the process. One study suggests that dancing leads to a reduced risk of dementia. So if you love to shake and move it all around check out some Zumba classes to feed your inner dancer!
Does the thought of a one hour sweat session have your interest? If you want a workout to efficiently and effectively burn calories both during the workout and at rest, then you need to run as well as lift. You need to work anaerobically which means that means running or SPRINTING not jogging. It also means lifting with intensity. Given that, HIIT training will do the trick. And while you’re at it why not mix in a full-body workout, plyometrics, and even some rowing.
Unfortunately there are some of you that just don’t have the desire to train but want to workout. If you are this person that is OK !! You don’t need a gym to be fit! Don’t force yourself to fit a certain mold just because you feel you need to. Try using these three tips:
- Walk or bike everywhere.
- Eat real, not processed food.
- Eat smaller portions.
If your goals are to just be healthy this is a good start for your fitness and health program. The bottom line with exercise is that it should be something you enjoy doing for life. Not an adversarial relationship, but a complementary one. To choose the best exercise program for you, look closely at your personality traits and find a way to move your body that mirrors that.Instead of looking at exercise as a means to an end, think of it as part of who you are. The most important exercise program is the one you stick with. To that end, your best bet is to define who you are and what you love – and do more of that.
Reference
http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/how-to-choose-the-right-fitness-program-for-you
http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/choosing-the-right-workout-program