How to Pick the Right Workout For You

Introduction

Exercise definitely isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Just because your friend is good at running and enjoys jogging 10km every other day, that doesn’t mean to say you also have to be good at running – or even enjoy it for that matter.

Everyone’s body is different, and so whilst running comes naturally to some, it isn’t so easy for others, and it’s always important to listen to what your body is telling you. This goes for every type of exercise.

If none of the pre-determined workouts online or those that your friends do agree with or appeal to you, it might be time to come up with your own routine. Here’s how you can figure out how to pick the right workout for you.

Your Body

Step one of creating a workout is to first map out your current level of health. If you have any underlying health conditions such as a heart problem, you’ll want to focus on aerobic exercises, but if you have osteoporosis, you’ll want to avoid high impact exercises such as jogging.

It’s important to bear factors like this in mind when starting on your workout journey – just because you want to be able to run distance or build strength, you might not necessarily be able to do so safely. Your current health state should be the first thing you consider.

Your Goals

Once you’ve decided which exercises you can safely undertake, it’s time to map out your goals. Typically, people begin exercising to achieve one of the following things:

• • Lose weight
  • Increase general fitness levels
  • Gain muscle strength

The goal you pick will heavily influence your workout routine. If you want to lose weight you might focus more on cardio, if gaining muscle is your goal then you’ll do a lot of weight training, and if you just want to improve your general fitness, you’ll more than likely do an all-encompassing workout and gradually build your body up.

What You Enjoy

Exercise should make you feel good, and it shouldn’t feel like a chore. If you hate the exercise you’re doing, you’re more likely to skip a day…or two, or six. By contrast, if you find an exercise you actually like doing, you’ll be more motivated to do it.

So, if you don’t like running, try cycling instead. If that’s not for you either, perhaps swimming might be. If you want something a bit more fun, why not try a Zumba or jazzercise class? It’s important that you like working out if you’re going to be in with a chance of sticking to it and achieving your goal.

It doesn’t matter how intense the exercise you enjoy doing is, doing any form of movement, exercise or sport is better than doing nothing at all, so don’t feel shamed into thinking your exercise of choice isn’t as demanding as others – the fact you’re doing it at all is the most important thing.

If you enjoy specific exercises, pair them together and create a circuit. If you’re at home and don’t have any gym equipment, your circuit might comprise of things like squats, planks, push-ups and mountain climbers, but if you prefer to exercise in the gym, you can add in a few reps on the leg press, lat-pull-down or cycling machine.

Frequency

When you start to workout, it’s essential not to overdo it. Rest days in-between exercising is exceptionally important because they allow your body to recover and your muscles to repair. If you’re beginning your fitness journey, you’ll want to include more rest days that someone who is slightly fitter, but as your endurance levels increase, you can begin to exercise more frequently. That being said, whatever level you’re on, it’s essential that you rest at least one day a week.

The Bottom Line

One you’ve covered all the above bases, you’re good to go! Hopefully this article will have given you some tips on how to create your own effective workout routine that you will able to not only stick to, but that you will enjoy too.