Does the phrase 'working out' make you cringe, run away, get excited or feel obligated? Although, most of us agree that movement is a crucial component of our overall wellness, different exercise styles work for different people. Some folks like to work out in groups to keep up their energy, others use exercise as a time out and look forward to some time alone. Did you know that we all have a unique fitness style? Do you know what yours is?
Busy schedules and the sedentary lifestyle can create stress in the body that leads to chronic aches, inflammation, and digestive issues. The tension caused by stress wreaks havoc on sleep quality, food choices, and overall health. Finding a proper outlet for built-up tension helps us manage our stress productively, achieve balance, and avoid stress-related ailments, such as tight muscles, digestive distress, and substance abuse.
Physical activity is anything that gets body moving, it can boost energy, improve sleep quality, yield healthy weight, and also supports numerous physical benefits such as cardiovascular health, digestive and endocrine systems. Emotional benefits of physical activity include reduced depression and anxiety, increased self-esteem, body confidence, feelings of empowerment all of which produce endorphins. Cognitive benefits of physical activity include improved mental clarity, improved language and working memory.
Developing a regular exercise routine that suits your fitness style has so many health benefits, but it's important to find what you enjoy so that you will stick with it. If you love competition, competitive sports may be your perfect match. On the other hand, if you don't like crowds, you may not feel comfortable in group classes. To discover your fitness style, consider these descriptions and suggested activities to see which one sounds like you.
The Team Player likes to play sports, if there is a competition, this person is in! Team players are disciplined and focused when it comes to specific goals. They tend to be confident and energetic. Although they are friendly and outgoing, they keep their eye on the prize when it comes to workouts. They are wiling to push through for the team and give 100% as long as they continue to set goals and stay committed. Team players are willing to stick to a routine for as long as it serves them but can get bored since they prefer to push themselves to grow and improve.
Team Player suggested activities: basketball, competitive swimming, cycling, frisbee, racquetball, running, skiing, soccer, tennis, volleyball, etc.
The Social Butterfly Where's the party? Music and fun energize Social Butterflies. They like a challenge; in fact, they need things to stay varied and interesting to stay engaged. Social Butterflies seek intensity and clarity, it's what keeps them engaged. They are easily bored and find it hard to be motivated if they don't find value in what they're doing. The key comes down to people for them. If they look forward to being with the people, they'll show up.
The Social Butterfly suggested activities: barre classes, bicycling or jogging with a group, Cross-Fit, dance lessons, group bootcamp classes, hot yoga, karate, roller derby, SoulCycle, Zumba, etc.
The Workout Regular are regulars at the gym and like to stay focused on their workouts. They use the equipment, keep a workout log, and wear a smart device to monitor their active zone minutes and hear rate. You'll find them on the treadmill reading a book or working out with a personal trainer. Proper form is important, so they seek out classes run by people they respect and wish to emulate.
The Workout Regular suggested activities: elliptical training, jumping rope, kickboxing, personal training, power yoga, running, swimming, tennis, weight lifting, etc.
The Nature Lover likes to get outside and seeks both the adventure and serenity of the outdoors. While they don't mind being around other people, they tend to keep themselves and focus their attention inward as they interact with the natural elements. Their goals are relevant to whatever it is they are trying to conquer, so they tend to be well-rounded when it comes to fitness. Getting and staying fit is less of a conscious decision and more of the result of what they set out to accomplish.
The Nature Lover suggested activities: backpacking, beach yoga, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, road cycling, rock climbing, rowing, running, surfing, windsurfing.
You may find that you resonate with more than one fitness style and that's fine too. What's important is that you chose activities that keep you motivated and moving. If you're uncertain which fitness style is yours, consider what you used to enjoy playing as a child. Physical activity is one of the four primary foods that make up health. To help you discover which fitness style best suits you and how to create sustainable workout routine that will support your lifestyle and meet your bio-individual needs, book a coaching session today.
