The Exercise Dating Game

So...you know you need to exercise, but you kind of don't like to exercise.  You're certainly not alone!  But I'd like to propose that with all the different forms of exercise out there, it's possible you just haven't found the right kind of exercise.

Why not treat your search for a form of exercise you can enjoy as if it were dating?  Try something out, and if you love it, great; if not, dump that loser and try something else.  If money is tight, there are lots of options that don’t require a huge outlay of money (meaning you don’t have to feel guilty if it doesn’t float your boat):

• Walking or jogging
• Bike riding
• Swimming in your own pool or at a public pool
• Your community center may offer dance, yoga, or aerobics classes
• You may have a walking, running, hiking, or cycling club in your community
• Your community may sponsor sporting leagues like softball, soccer, basketball, etc.
• Your local public school, community center, or park may have tennis courts, racquetball courts, or basketball courts that are open to the public for free or a small fee
• Exercise videos on TV, the internet, or DVD

If you have a gym near you and can afford a membership, that’s the one expense I will encourage here.  The advantage of many modern gyms is that they offer a lot of different options, so you can do an exercise version of “speed dating” without buying the equipment needed for each.  You are likely to find many of these options:

• Cardio machines like treadmills, stationary bikes, stair climbers, rowing machines, and elliptical machines, which are like a cross between biking and walking
• Swimming
• Sport facilities for racquetball, basketball, volleyball, etc.
• Aerobics/dance/Zumba classes
• Cycling/”Spin” classes
• Yoga classes
• Classes that use specialized equipment, such as TRX or CrossFit
• “Boot Camp” style classes
• Water-based exercise classes, some of which are especially aimed at those with mobility or joint issues
• Resistance training/weight training machines
• Free weights (barbells, dumbbells, etc.)

Of course, there are options I haven’t listed that involve specialized equipment or facilities such as skiing or golfing; they can be great exercise…if you’ve got the money.  And there is a dizzying array of exercise equipment you can purchase for your home, from treadmills and stationary bikes (absolutely legitimate) to multifunction weight training things (can be useful) to wacko devices no human should ever touch (please don’t).  The big issue with spending money here is that you may decide you’re not that crazy about using the equipment you bought—and millions of homes around the world contain at least one of these that just collects dust, gets in the way, and inflicts massive doses of guilt every time its owner walks by.

So, pick something and try it.  This week.  Today, even.  Promise yourself you’ll give it a chance for, let’s say…three sessions, then re-evaluate.  How did you feel afterward?  If the answer is “miserable”, dump that loser and try something else.  If the answer is mixed, give it another three times and re-re-evaluate.  If you loved it, commit just a little more to it and keep focusing on the things you love about it.

I hope you find a kind of exercise you can really get into.  It could be the thing that saves your health!

Best wishes!
The Friendly Lifter