How To Exercise: Choosing the right type of exercise for you

So you have to start an exercise program. What are you going to
do? How are you going to exercise?

Well the type of exercise you do largely depends on you. 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?

These are all questions you need to answer.

If you choose something that you don’t like doing, you’re not
going to keep doing it for long. Think about it, if you don’t
like jogging you’re hardly going to keep dragging yourself out
of bed at 6am, especially when winter comes around! If you can’t
find something you like, just choose the thing you hate the
least. This is usually walking.

Walking is great because it suits all fitness levels. Anyone can
start a walking program at any time, it’s just the intensity and
duration that differs. Walking is also very social. It’s not
hard to find a training partner to chat to while you exercise.
This also makes the time go faster.

Whatever exercise you do, starting at a low intensity and
building it up over a number of weeks is essential to the
longevity of your exercise program. If you start too hard you
could get an over-use injury such as shin-splints, and then
you’ll have to take time off to get over it.

If you are really unfit, start by walking for 10 minutes each
day. Increase it by 5 minutes every 2 weeks.

To make it more interesting try walking a different course every
few days. You can also roster a different friend to walk with
you each day of the week.

If walking is not for you then you may like to try a fitness
centre. They have loads of variety and usually have trainers on
hand to answer any queries you might have. When choosing a
fitness centre, make sure they give good service. If they’re not
willing to treat you well before you join, then they certainly
aren’t afterwards! Also make sure that their equipment is well
serviced. It’s easy to find out, 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.

If you’re still not sure what you should do, then why not
consider tennis or golf? There are social competitions in most
areas and you may find a few new friends. Tennis is great for
fitness and it’s a great social activity but it’s not for
someone who is just starting out. If you haven’t exercised in a
long time then you’re better off finding something a little
easier. 

Whatever you decide on, it must be something that you enjoy.
Find that type of exercise and you’ll be well on the way to the
new you!