Every now and then, someone asks me this: “What’s the best way to exercise? What one type of exercise should I do now and forever?”
They don’t usually word it like that. But still, it’s fair to wonder: what’s the best way to use my exercise time? Which really means, what can I do to get the best results?
Obviously, Yoga
Now, if we were to actually choose one type of movement to do forever, there’s only one answer in my book: yoga. You can do it every day, it’s easy on your joints, there’s enough variety that you won’t get bored, it’ll make you stronger, and there are so many other benefits that you really can’t go wrong. Plus, everyone can do it in one way or another, even if you’re confined to a bed.
Fortunately, though, we probably don’t have to choose only one way to move for the rest of our lives. We can have variety.
And that’s the point.
The Best Way to Exercise is EVERY Way
I love high-intensity interval training. It’s beautifully well-rounded with a huge variety of movements and timing options. I love to work hard, and I love the way my body responds to that. It has its drawbacks, of course: It’s high impact. You shouldn’t do it every day. Still, it’s a beloved part of my workout routine.
I love to run. Drawbacks there include the risk of overuse injuries. (Been there, done IT band syndrome. Still.) Also, if all you do is run, you miss out on a strong upper body, for example.
Dancing is great. I’ve not had much training and I’m not that good at it, but it feels so good to move that way.
Pilates, yoga, barre. Weight lifting. Group fitness classes ranging from dance to aerobics to strength. It’s all good.
It’s common to find one thing, fall in love, and do it day in and day out…particularly if you belong to a studio that focuses on that one thing. But I hope you take a couple days out of your week to try something else. Do an online workout video, get a guest pass to a different gym, or pay a drop-in rate somewhere. It’s good for your mind and body to be challenged in new ways.
I recently taught a Freedom Barre class, and one of my HIIT students was in attendance. She was a dancer, so the ballet moves were familiar to her, and she does regular HIIT workouts so she’s in great shape. Still, she told me she was incredibly sore the next day…because barre challenged her in a new way.
When you’re going for results, staying committed is the most important thing. Another key is to mix it up. Your body adapts very quickly to what you ask of it. You have to keep challenging it if you want it to keep changing.
I currently work (and train) at four different gyms/studios. I love them all for different reasons. If someone asks me which is better, I can’t really tell you. Try them all, and see what works best for you.
Of course I want to see you in my classes, but more than that, I want you to move in a way that feels good to you.
What’s your own personal best way to exercise?