Fitness is a tough fish to catch, but more so when you don’t love what you do. It doesn’t make sense to routinely do something you absolutely despise, does it? So why bother? Especially if you can find an alternative.
In a fitness regimen, there is no such thing as one size fits all. Just because someone looks good exercising in a particular way doesn’t mean that their routine will be applicable to you.
If you want to start getting fit, the best approach is to find the right type and the right mix of exercises that suit your fitness level, your lifestyle, and the time you have. The routine should be something that you will likely stick to for a long time.
I’m going to give you a peek into my mindset, about how you can tailor your fitness regime to your liking.
Know Thyself
The key to finding the right fitness regimen that will suit you best is to know yourself. Determine where you want to work, which will also depend on where you live and the facilities available. There are several workout or physical activities that you can do around the house, in your yard or at a park near you. If you want something more conventional, locate a gym or a fitness center near your place of work or residence for convenience and easier commute.
The next step, would be to find out with whom you want to workout. You can go solo or with company. There are people who find it more comfortable to do things alone, although there are some benefits when you are with a group as they can give you support. You can ask a friend to join you or find a community or club for your particular sport.
An introvert usually gravitates to activities that require focus, precision and high concentrations such as tennis, weight training, archery, walking, cycling or swimming. On the flip side, an extrovert loves fast-paced activities and team sports such as circuit training, group fitness classes and ball games.
See Also: 20 Excellent Reasons To Join A Yoga School
Personalize your Fitness
What kind of a person are you, overall? I know, it’s a doozy but let’s try to mull over this one. Here are a few questions you could ask yourself to narrow down your options:
• Are you competitive in nature?
• Do you tend to get emotional & reactive?
• Do you find yourself aching to find relaxation in day-to-day activities?
• Are you looking for ‘fun’ or ‘work’?
A competitive individual for example, would most certainly enjoy competing against the clock in a high intensity interval training (HIIT) settings. A person who tends to be emotional and reactive, could find relaxation by taking part in martial arts – what Freud would call sublimation in psychological terms.
If you’re someone who’s looking for a more free-spirited workout regime, dance classes could be a great fit for you.
When answering these questions, keep in mind all along that research has revealed that when you engage in activities that go well with personality, you’ll be able to stick to them longer. Also, when you think of ‘workout’ as ‘fun’ – you eat less afterwards, as you view it as an activity that’s rewarding by itself, and needs no compensation.
See Also: 8 Fitness Hacks That Will Make Your Life Better
Other Factors: Time & Overall Health
After we’ve gotten through all of the above, you should consider two other factors that are important as well.
One being your overall health – meaning if you have any previous injuries that might turn out to be debilitating in your fitness endeavors, or alternatively, conditions that might show up with high bouts of exercise.
The second would be the amount of time you can allocate towards fitness. If you’re pressed for time, you can check out some time-efficient workouts. You might want to try time-saving routines such as high intensity interval training (HIIT) or possibly circuit training. HIIT has become very popular among people who want to be fit but do not have much time for longer workout methods.
Another option is to sign up for online classes that are available 24/7 so you can work out any time of the day. They provide a mix of routines that are not boring and are synced to great music to keep you motivated and inspired.
Finding the right exercise routine that is suitable for you entails a bit of initial research. I really hope I’ve managed to put things into order for you, and gave you some food for thought.
Best of luck!