Getting the Right Workout for You!

Creating a great workout to fit your style definitely depends on your fitness goals and life situation. Not everyone has time to go to the gym 5-7 days a week and those who do may desire to invest their time differently.

It is definitely important to get exercise on a regular basis though, for several reasons. Exercise has shown to provide physical strength, cardio vascular endurance, weight loss, and it is even releases endorphins to take care of your emotional health.

Unfortunately, exercise does take commitment and time. It is also something that a lot of people are afraid to commit to because they only see exercise as a means for losing weight.

While losing weight is one benefit of exercising regularly, it is certainly not the only one!

Many people stop exercising because they do not see the immediate results they would like to see, but what they may not see is that they have additional strength, energy and endurance. The weight loss will come with time, but it shouldn't be the only motivator for exercise.

When it comes to choosing fitness activities, it is helpful to choose something you like to do. Pilates and kickboxing are two examples of popular fitness activities. However, it is also important to realize that some fitness activities should not be fully relied on as the only form of exercise.

Kickboxing, for example, is a fun and healthy activity. However, it is not necessarily going to give you the full cardiovascular workout in order to maximize health benefits.

According to Richard Cotton, a former chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, "you should get in shape to do kickboxing, not do kickboxing to get in shape."-(Thirdage.com, Health&Wellness)

There are other fitness activities that work well for those who are already in great physical shape, but they may not be the best forms of exercise for beginners.

If you're already in shape, kickboxing is a great calorie-burner. There are a lot of moves that can be harmful to knees, shoulders and elbows, so be sure your instructor knows what they are doing! Look for instructors with special certification, including martial arts.

Spinning is another aerobic activity great for those who are already in shape. It offers an intense workout requiring stamina and a good imagination. Spinning is indoor cycling set to music.

Pilates are also a great exercise for those who are already in shape because it matches calisthenics with stretching movements and require good muscle control.

If you are recovering from an injury, there are also several fitness activities that will work well for you.

Weight lifting is a great way to build muscle in the already healthy parts of your body, while allowing that knee or ankle injury sometime to heal.

Stationary biking can also help to strengthen bad knees.

Rowing is a great way for injured athletes to exercise the upper body while that bad knee, hip or ankle mends.

Swimming and water aerobics are also great fitness activities to burn calories, without putting too much stress and strain on the part of you that is healing.

Swimming also helps repair a sore back, and it is a great cardio workout.

For those who are overweight and longing to get into a more regular exercise routine, the first goal is to simply start exercising. Exercise on a regular basis, even if it is only for a few minutes. Your body and mind will start to get used to getting that heart rate up and burning calories. This may be simply walking for ten minutes every day for a few weeks, eventually your body will want to do more.

Some other fitness activities for those who are overweight include yoga and non-impact aerobics. Most aerobic sessions end with 10-15 minutes of 'cool down' stretching.

Those who are overweight should also try water aerobics and swimming. Water provides an excellent amount of moderate resistance.

Each of these methods of exercise are a great way to get in shape, stay in shape, or recover from an injury. Treating your body to a good physical workout will also increase stamina and boost energy throughout the work week!