What type of exercise works best for you?

I feel like I’ve been in and out of a movement funk throughout all of the fall and I spent the past couple weeks trying to reflect and figure out why. For a decent about the amount of time, most of my fitness journey was centered around bodybuilding, weightlifting, and the idea of creating the aesthetic that most people lust over. You know what I’m talking about that itty bitty waistline, big booty, rock-solid shoulders we all heart eye emoji all over the ‘gram. I wondered if it was because I was slipping back into the mindset that I needed to get back into that type of training and eating mentality to be fit. Thankfully it wasn’t quite that.

What I did realize is that so much of society and media tells us what we need to do in order to be healthier and be more fit. It seems like every other fitness account on Instagram is creating some sort of 4, 8, or 12 workout plan and when the buzz starts to develop around it everyone jumps on the train. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for the hustle of making passive income, but I do often wonder what do programs like these teach us as a society as a whole. With so much of today’s messaging around health centered around some sort of workout program, I can’t help but wonder do these programs truly help in creating a stronger, healthier, more empowered intuitive individual, or does one just fall into a greater challenge of trying to develop a workout routine that works for their lifestyle. 

“Be experimental and find a routine you can nourish yourself with on a daily basis.”

Developing a regular exercise program to suit your particular body type and lifestyle will have numerous rewards. The challenge is to find the types of exercise you enjoy most, and then build them into your life. Here are some things to think about when you’re just starting your fitness journey. 

Think about what you loved to do as a kid.

Did you dance, bike, or hike? This is a good place to start when looking for a new exercise routine.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

• Know that movement is a lot like food. Once you understand how different types of movement nourish your body in different ways, you can put together a menu of activities to keep yourself in balance.
• Feeling frail and unfocused? Try vigorous exercise to make you feel stable and powerful, like kickboxing or running.
• Feeling tight and tense? Try gentler exercise to increase lightness and flexibility, like swimming or yoga.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE?

• If you’re a quiet person who likes a lot of alone time, consider buying a TRX system, resistance bands, or a set of hand weights so you can move in the comfort of your home.
• If you like being around groups of people, you can find team sports like volleyball or basketball, which have the added benefit of human interaction and fun competition.
• You can also find a blend of the two by taking a group fitness class like Pilates, kickboxing, SoulCycle, Barre or NC Fit.

WHEN DO YOU FEEL MOST ENERGETIC?

Just as some people think more clearly in the morning and others think more clearly at night, some people prefer to exercise first thing in the morning, while others prefer to exercise later in the day. There’s no right or wrong; it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

THINK ABOUT CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT LEVEL

Look for a gym or yoga studio near your home or on the way to the office. It’s important to find a location that’s convenient, and where the atmosphere is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming. This will increase your chances of going regularly. And remember, physical activity can take simple and modest forms, like getting off the subway or bus one stop earlier and walking to your destination. It can be taking the stairs instead of the elevator to your office or apartment. It can be taking your dog for a walk or your children to the park. A 30-minute jog-walk every day may be all you need to keep yourself in shape.

Be experimental and find a routine you can nourish yourself with on a daily basis. Remember it truly is about the small changes that can help you achieve large strides in your health goal.

What will get you moving?