What Type of Exercise is Best?

There is no best exercise for everyone. Often times it also takes a lot of trial and error.

So, let’s start with some questions.

What are your goals?

• What activity you do is going to be almost entirely dependent on your goals

  • Are you training for an event?

  • Do you want to lose weight?

  • Do you want to build muscle?

  • If you hate doing something chances are you won't stick with it

• What is your body able to do?

  • Running can be a great high intensity cardio workout, but it is high impact

  • Swimming is a great option for those that want low impact but still some cardio

  • Walking is simple and still a great option

  • Are you able to lift heavy?

• What resources do you have access to?

  • Do you have a gym membership?

  • Do you have weights at home?

  • Can you go to the community pool?

  • Do have access to the internet on a regular basis?

  • Are you able to take fitness classes?

• What do you enjoy doing?

  • If you hate doing something, chances are that you won't stick with it

Once you’ve gone over the questions more specific things to keep in mind:

• Choose an exercise you enjoy

• Choose a variety - at least 2

• Vary intensity - essential for seeing progress

• You need to make the time

There is no perfect exercise. Often times a workout or activity that works great for you now won't in a year or more. When i was growing up I played competitive soccer then in high school I ran cross country. Both of those sports I loved but I was very hard on my body in my running days. Running is no longer my workout of choice. For me, my goals are more conducive to hiking or walking and doing yoga. Even then I like to change it up.

Biggest take away, your exercise should be contributing to you reaching your goals without doing more harm to your body.