Find your training style.
I always hear conversations or read about the 'best' way to train. The most effective. The easiest. The hardest.
In my opinion, implementing a range of different approaches can be beneficial; for me, that might look like strength training, aerobic and anaerobic training in the form of running and HIIT style workouts, and maybe a touch of yoga/ mobility work ( which I really should do more often…). But for someone else, it might be Boxing, Pilates, and long walks. The message is that it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you enjoy doing it and will adhere to it long enough to obtain the benefits.
When many people start exercising it's easy for them to get fixed in the mentality of all or nothing. “I have to lift weights in the gym” or “ I have to join (said group fitness class) like all my friends”. The issue with this is that many people pick something they don’t enjoy and then they start to resent exercise and this cycle will continue again and again, in many cases. It can be difficult to find what suits you, especially when each membership costs money, some require certain ‘skill’, like cross-fit or yoga, or it’s a big step out of your comfort zone. That’s not to scare you away from trying new things but often some trial and error are needed.
There are so many different ways to train and move your body, here are some of the most popular choices:
Strength training incl. resistance training
High-intensity interval training ( HIIT)
Yoga and Pilates
Walking/ hiking
Running
Cycling
Sports
Group Fitness ( which can be a form or hybrid of the above list)
So, how do you choose something you enjoy?
Like said earlier it’s so easy to follow whatever ‘that girl on Instagram is doing, or join the latest trending gym. And while other people’s opinions on what they like are important and can often lead you to find that you enjoy it too, you should seek all your options to find what you like.
Here are 6 tips or things to query before you pick:
Decide what style you prefer. An outdoor adventure style, such as running, hiking, or mountain biking? An indoor gym with classes? Or maybe a relaxed space for yoga and restorative practice?
If you picked a gym space, always do the free trial. Especially if this is for a gym that offers something different from what you usually do, such as classes or special equipment/ facilities. This gives you some time to get to know the space and the vibe and decide if this is something that will suit you.
Assess what your budget is. Some gyms come at a pretty expensive price point $$$. I think there is something that fits everyone’s price point, get out and run a public trail for free or join a gym/ group class, these can range from as little as $7 a week! But, can get up to around $60. If you find it worthwhile and you can budget it in, happy days!
Hire a trainer – Again this is something that can be pricey. But a good, credible trainer has gone through a trusted education system and they 100% know what they are doing. Picking someone that aligns with your goals can kickstart your fitness journey and make you feel more comfortable with exercise.
What fits into your lifestyle? There’s no point in committing to the 5 am class if you know you won’t be getting out of bed until at least 7 am. Pick a form of exercise that you find convenient. There are so many options out there for 30 min – 1-hour classes so you can be in and out before or after work/ study.
Finally, What’s your goal? It could be that you want to train for an event, increase strength, improve mental health, better your fitness for sport, make friends or lose weight. Just make sure that you have something else driving you other than just the number on the scale, it can make exercise feel more like a punishment rather than a privilege.
How to stick to exercise:
Schedule it in, if you’re someone who is highly organised this will be easy. Whether you use google/ apple calendar or just write it down on a to-do list. Make it important, like you would a meeting or a shift at work. This makes it just that bit harder to find an excuse to not go.
Self-efficacy – this is one's perception of his or her own ability to perform a given task. Self-efficacy is something to be worked on. To build it, you must start by doing. I’m a believer in listening to your body to prevent overtraining or feeling burnt out, but there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of discipline. Give regular exercise (3-5 times a week) a good go for a few weeks and it will start to become a habit and you might find that you want to continue to better yourself, may it be a new skill you found from it, like weightlifting, yoga, boxing, etc or performance goals like speed, weight or reps. This makes training exciting so that you keep at it. You can also improve Self-efficacy with verbal persuasion and emotional influence, when you learn about and experience how good exercise is for your mind and body you will find a way to make it a habit in your lifestyle.
Have someone who is there for accountability. A gym buddy is a great way to keep each other accountable or learn a new skill together. Group fitness is a good way to find someone to keep accountability up.
Listen to your body. Overtraining is a common fault in the gym. It’s great if you’ve found a love for exercise but you don’t have to do it 7 days a week. Listen for your body's cues and if you start to feel burnt out or sick – don’t train. Having a couple of days off isn’t going to ruin any progress you’ve made.
FIND YOUR TRAINING STYLE
The Facts:
Schlicht, Jeff Ph.D.; Godin, Jeff M.S.; Camaione, David C. Ph.D., FACSM How to Help Your Clients Stick with an Exercise Program, ACSM'S Health & Fitness Journal: November 1999.
