3 Tips for Finding the Perfect Type of Exercise for You

We all know that we should be getting a few hours of exercise each week, and yet many of us don’t. While we may use excuses such as that we don’t have enough time, the truth is that there are very few of us who cannot find time to fit in the things that really matter to us even if it means getting up half an hour earlier three days a week.  In reality, many people simply haven’t found the right exercise for them, which means that they don’t enjoy exercise – and therefore don’t make time for it. So, if you want to learn how to find the perfect type of exercise for you, keep reading.

Think about your exercise goals

Exercise without a goal in mind is kind of pointless because you won’t have anything to work towards, and you won’t stay motivated. Your goals will also impact what kind of exercise will be best. So, ask yourself what your goals are. Do you want to get fit? Do you want to maintain good levels of fitness as you age? Maybe lose weight and/or tone some of those body bits that are not as taut as they used to be? Increase your mobility and flexibility?

There is a type of exercise for nearly every goal. For example, if you want to increase your flexibility, doing yoga a few times a week is a good idea. Dancing is great fun and is perfect for mobility and generally keeping fit. If you want to build muscle, then incorporating cast iron standard weight plates into your workout might be a good option. And actually, lifting weights is a viable form of exercise for women as well as men, and for people of all ages. Strength training for older adults should be an essential part of a regular fitness regime.

Keep in mind that you also don’t need to stick to just one kind of exercise – you can make a schedule that works for you. But the important thing is keeping it fun and enjoyable.

Stay within your abilities

If you start pushing yourself too much, you won’t be able to exercise successfully, and you’ll likely give up very quickly. That’s why you should keep your abilities in mind when choosing an exercise.

Think about it this way: if you want to start running but you are incredibly unfit, it’s probably not the right exercise for you right now. Rather try walking for a few weeks, and then slowly start running.  The NHS Couch to 5K provides a great week-by-week plan to get started.

You should also keep in mind that you need to be mindful of any injuries or health problems you may have. It’s always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider if you plan on making any changes in your exercise regime.

If you do overdo it a little bit, take some time off and check out the basics of how to treat sprains and strains.

Ask yourself what you enjoy

We’re much more likely to do something when we enjoy it, so try to figure out which exercises you enjoy most.

And there is no need to think of exercise in the normal gym sense of workouts. We have already mentioned dancing, and gardening is also great exercise. You may think that you don’t like any kind of exercise, but the truth is that there are many options out there, so you will certainly find something you enjoy.

Some people like going on hikes once a week. Others like swimming. Do you prefer exercising on your own or with a partner or a group? What about a regular walk and chat with friends? How about joining a ramblers’ group? What about hula hooping or skipping?

Whilst these may not be the activities most people think of when they think of exercise, finding the perfect type of exercise for you rather than thinking you need to be a gym bunny will pay dividends in helping to keep the motivation going. Providing you get your body moving in some way, you will be improving your health.

Exercise also has many benefits when it comes to your mental health, so it’s worth your time to try a few different kinds of exercise until you find one you like.

As Cris Ramis, one of our regular contributors stresses:

Exercise is vital to your health, both mental and physical, and fitter can dramatically help you to recover from illness or surgery. In fact, with a boosted immune system, you may find that you don’t get sick quite as easily. We don’t have to tell you how crucial it is to make sure your immunity is working at 100% efficiency these days.

With a new and improved mood, you’ll be much better equipped to deal with the stresses and strains of daily life and the current health challenges. And although it won’t rid you of anxiety completely, it will go a long way to helping you manage the symptoms.

We hope you have a newfound commitment to finding the perfect type of exercise for you – and you maintain that commitment!