It is an exciting time where so many people are engaging in a wide range of fitness programs. The number of programs available today is the greatest that it has ever been and everyone can find a program that suits them. Programs based on speed, strength, endurance and flexibility will improve any area of your fitness level through active and consistent participation. Before signing up for that next fitness class some preliminary thought could help making your choice of a suitable fitness program easier and allow you to select a program with sustainability. Those that have made the right choice of fitness programs have reported ongoing benefits including; more energy, vitality and quality of life. Here are a number of areas to consider before choosing a fitness program.
o State of Health
o Lifestyle
o Body Type
o Objectives
State of Health
When choosing the right fitness program at any age should include an evaluation and assessment of any health issue concerns at the time. There are various fitness avenues a person can take and each will place different demands on the mind and body. Health issues should be considered when looking at each discipline and how the individual will be impacted by the demands. It is prudent to involve your primary care physician in making a selection so that any health issues may be addressed and a plan of recommendation can be used to make a wise decision. Because there is such a large selection of fitness programs available most limitations caused by health issues which may impose restrictions on an individual can be accommodated. Exercise is basically moving the body and any type of consistent movement is going to provide benefits as a result.
Participants in exercise programs who may have joint limitations can select a program with low impact on the joints and receive a whole host of fitness and health benefits. Programs are available at all levels including beginner, intermediate or advanced and can accommodate many individuals with various health issues. If there is a will, then there is a way to meet your fitness goals but it must be done logically and intelligently.
Lifestyle
Various fitness routines require different levels of activity and assessing which routine fits best into the lifestyle of the participant is an important selection criteria. Fitness is a change of lifestyle which includes the fitness routine merging into the daily activities of the participant. If your lifestyle is moderately active then a fitness routine which promotes moderate levels of energy will be a choice which is better suited for you and has the best chances of being sustained over the long-term. Another fact is the time you have available to devote to a fitness program. Some regimes require more time then others to achieve results. If you have 2 days a week available for working out then look for programs that can accommodate you and still provide timely benefits which are achievable. A mistake many people make is shooting too high at first and selecting a fitness routine completely off the scale in relation to their lifestyle. What they find is they are unable to sustain the regime, get discouraged and discontinue the program. Assess your lifestyle pace and the venue in which you would like to workout. There’s indoor, outdoor, individual and group programs available and you can find one that requires a pace and environment you will enjoy and be able to sustain as part of a healthy and fit lifestyle.
Body Type
The reason that so many exercise and fitness programs have been developed is simply to accommodate the individuals participating in those programs. One of the criteria for selecting a fitness program is body type. Understand that different fitness programs place different demands on the body and require different energy levels from the participants also. Those of a larger stature have gravitated traditionally toward the strength based programs and those of a smaller stature have moved in the direction of the cardio based programs. All these individuals have made what they would consider programs which best suited them. If you ever considered a football team you don’t see the larger linemen body types doubling as wide receivers. Their body types make them more suitable for the pace and demands which are placed on them as linemen. Fitness programs are the same. If you are choosing a fitness program that will best fit in with your lifestyle then your body type is a factor to consider as well. All body types can find regimes that best suit them and are able to provide ongoing health and fitness benefits derived from the programs. Those with higher energy levels are going to select those programs with high energy demands then those with lower energy levels. Programs exist which require short intense energy expenditures and also routines which require longer durations and less intensity. When selecting a fitness program consider your level of energy and the demands the regime or program will place on your energy level.
Objectives
Gaining long-term benefits from a fitness program does require setting objectives you want to accomplish from the effort and consistency you put into the regime. Of course many individuals take a less organized approached to fitness and that is alright as long as they are comfortable with that kind of approach. Of course the power of setting goals and moving toward their accomplishment is proven effective for a long time and is recommended. If losing weight, building strength or gaining flexibility are some of the goals to be attained selecting programs which address these areas is made much simpler. Not all programs can deliver all benefits and meet all goals. Many programs specialize in the benefits attained from participation in them. Cardio programs are great for producing weight loss, energy and endurance but are limited when it comes to developing high levels of strength. Weight training would be more suitable if increasing levels of strength is your goal. Whatever program you decide to choose identifying objectives and setting goals will make your choose of program easier and more effective. And whatever program you choose be certain you are capable, the goals are obtainable and participation is enjoyable.