Find your exercise style

My husband Jay and I turn into super nerds on our brisk morning walk. We sport decidedly uncool but comfy clothes and sneakers, clock the times when we leave and return, count our steps, sometimes break into a run for interval training, and alternate routes in the neighborhood — all while flailing our arms (okay, that’s just me), gabbing away (me again), laughing, and analyzing the issues of the day. It’s fun — like a mini date — and it’s always interesting. The routine suits us. And that comfortable fit is key to sustaining an exercise program. “Finding an activity you enjoy is an incentive to keep doing it,” explains Madhuri Kale, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. If you’re not entirely crazy about your exercise routine, try another. Think about activities that appeal to you, and consider their pros and cons. The following ideas will help you find what suits you. Exercise classes Examples: step workouts; tai chi; water exercise; aerobics (exercise that gets your heart and lungs pumping) Pros: Exercise classes work well if you like getting out of the house, need instruction, and are comfortable in a group. “The class setting builds a sense of healthy competition. It motivates you to put exercise on your schedule, get dressed, go there, and work out,” says Kale. And it’s a great way to meet people and socialize. Cons: A class may be expensive, or it may not be right for people who feel shy, for people with tran...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Exercise and Fitness Health Source Type: blogs