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Welcome to Part II of Finding the Right Fitness Program for You. In the previous post, I discussed some important factors to consider in order to help you find the right fitness program to fit your personality, personal preferences, lifestyle, and budget. This article focuses on specific categories to help you figure out exactly what you want to try.
Traditional Gyms
Traditional Gyms offer weightlifting equipment, cardio machines, personal and small group training, and group exercise classes. Depending on the gym’s particular group exercise offerings, you can find classes which focus on a wide variety of training formats such as cardio, strength, flexibility, balance, dance, kickboxing, mind/body, cycling/spinning, Tabata, step aerobics, core, stability ball, and kettle ball, just to name a few.
These classes may be taught in freestyle format, meaning the instructor selects the music and moves that you will do each time, or the gym might be licensed to offer specific workout programs that are taught nationwide or even worldwide. Examples of these types of programs include Zumba, Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED, CrossFit, Silver Sneakers, INSANITY, R.I.P.P.E.D. and LesMills programs, a personal favorite of mine.
Each gym’s group exercise schedule will be different, but you usually have access to a variety of classes. This is why I’m such a big fan of working out at a gym. You get the most bang for your buck, and you get to try a lot of different workouts without having to pay for each individual program.
Before you join a gym make sure to find out if the membership includes group exercise classes and/or how much it costs to add them. Also, study the group exercise schedule to see which ones will fit into your personal schedule. Then, shop around other gyms to see if another gym has more offerings, a better schedule, or reduced fees.
Boutique Gyms
Boutique gyms offer specialized group classes in various formats to a niche market. These types of classes tend to be very expensive because it’s such a niche market; a few examples include Xtend Barre, yoga or pilates studios, or cycling at a studio that only offers cycling/spinning classes, CYCLEBAR, for example. Unless you are really passionate and dedicated to one particular workout format, I would advise against joining a boutique gym. They are generally not an economical choice, especially for someone who’s still trying to find the right fitness program.
Boot camps
Boot camps generally are held for a certain number of weeks, and many times are held outdoors. Sessions will likely include simple but physically challenging cardio and strength training using body weight and hand weights. If you can afford boot camp, they can serve as a great kick start to a new workout program. They are also provide an effective way to break through a plateau. However, they can be expensive to maintain.
Competition sports
Competition sports are those sports which require an opponent and a team in some cases, so you may need to consider joining a league. The only limiting factor on this one is your geographic location since some sports just aren’t popular in certain parts of the world.
There are a plethora of sports out there, but just to name a few, consider basketball, baseball, softball, flag football, volleyball, hockey, kickball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, racquetball, frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee, golf, or even marathon/triathlon training. Sometimes the best way to find the right fitness program is simply by trial and error. Just pick something, and get moving! Even if it takes you a while to find your perfect fit, at least you’ll be getting healthier in the process.
Leisure sports
Leisure sports are also plentiful, and they don’t necessarily require an opponent to compete against. This category would include activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, swimming, cycling outdoors, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, water skiing, wakeboarding, knee-boarding, rollerblading, downhill or cross country skiing, and ice skating,
Home Workouts
Home workouts include using your own equipment (weights, resistance bands, step, etc.) to do workouts at home. In the past, DVDs were a common and preferred home workout option, but in recent years, streaming work outs with an app has become quite popular. A few examples of this type of workout program include LesMills On Demand, Beach Body, or Peloton. You can also find free workout programs on YouTube.
I am personally a huge fan of LesMills On Demand and would recommend it hands-down to anyone considering working out home. I have been using their app for about six weeks now, and I couldn’t be more satisfied.
A major benefit to working out at home is that you can do it whenever it fits into your schedule, and you save time because you don’t have to drive back and forth to the gym. However, the unfortunate downside to home workouts is the lack of accountability and social interaction. Go for a gym membership if you thrive on social interaction or lack motivation to work out in general.
Encouragement to Find The Right Fitness Program that Works For You
This article and these particular examples are, by no means, an exhaustive list, but simply ideas to inspire you. I hope you never feel like you can’t find a workout program that you will absolutely love and that will keep you interested for the long haul. The possibilities are nearly endless, and the important thing is to just get moving and stay moving! Your body, your family, and your mind will thank you for it later.
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