How to Choose Your Workout

It's overwhelming out there, isn't it?! So many different types of workouts getting hyped up daily...how is one supposed to know what to do?!

Well, that's a multifaceted answer.

I'm going to start with the most obvious one. However, this is the most powerful one. Hands down. No questions asked. You ready?

The type of workout you should do....

Is the one you enjoy!

Seriously. Why? Because it's the one you're most likely to do. That's it. Super simple!

Do you like walking? Go for a walk. Pickle ball brings you joy? Whip out that paddle and call your friends? Does lifting heavy weight bring you that release you need? Go for it! Do you love the distraction that comes from a HIIT workout? Sign up for that class. Get on your bike. Take a Zumba class.

Each one of these forms of exercise has their own benefits. HIIT is a serious calorie burner and excellent use of time. Weight lifting helps with bone density and a million other things. Walking is great for mind and body. Yoga is great for mobility. But, no matter what exercise you choose, there is no greater benefit than what comes from simply being consistent with movement in general.

You may be thinking, "Heide, you're always telling me to lift weights! Now I'm all confused."

Let me clarify. I will always encourage you to lift weights, because as a personal trainer (and from personal experience) I know the tremendous benefits that come from lifting weights for your mind, your body, your confidence, your metabolism, your blood sugar levels, and more. That being said, if lifting weights is going to make you hate exercise, my advice is to put those weights down for now. You can always pick them up again if you feel like it. Maybe you'll find that your opinion changes down the road. Maybe it won't. Or maybe you'll find a way to strength train that you don't hate (like a class or even just using some dumbbells at home). But before you even think about that, your number one goal should be this:

Find movement that you enjoy.

Seek it out.

Try something new. Grab a friend to try it with you. If you hate it, move on.

But love your body...love yourself...enough to find a way to nourish this vessel that allows you to hug your family, to hang with your friends, to take your dog for a walk, to go for a swim in the ocean, to wander the park with your kids or grandkids. Know that you are never too old, too out of shape, too new to fitness. You can always always always start. Fitness and movement look different for everyone. But the one thing that doesn't change is: we all need it.