How to Find an Exercise Program that’s Right for You
Kait Coward - Fitness Trainer - IG: @Kait_Coward
Exercise is important for your health and wellness, but it can be hard to know where to start. You know you need to get started but it can be really overwhelming. Or maybe you have that relationship with exercise where it’s like any moody teenage drama-filled show that has the “on-again, off-again” relationship we love to watch. But it’s more of a headache when it comes to our own lives, and less entertaining to say the least. There are so many programs out there that promise they will get you into the best shape of your life quickly but won’t benefit you in the long run which is why you’re falling into the same routine as before.
When looking for a fitness program, it is important to make sure that the training program fits YOUR needs. Not all training programs are the same and they vary in intensity, time commitment, and resources needed to complete them. Are you trying to lose weight, build muscle, run marathons or even just try a new skill like martial arts or yoga? There may be some similarities in each of these training methods like strength training components but they’ll all require different programs as a whole. So your first step in choosing a program right for you is the MAIN goal you’re trying to achieve!
It’s really easy to get carried away with listing our goals. I want to “lose weight, go backpacking across the Rocky Mountains, be the best snowboarder, and compete in a crossfit competition!”... No? Just me? But really, I have clients whose goals are all over the place. And that’s totally ok, as we can tackle them overtime! But choose the one goal you ultimately want the most and focus on that. Also, recognize where you are in your fitness journey. You don’t need to sign up for the advanced level olympic lifting program when you’ve never even tried basic strength training. A program that works the best is one in which you can adhere to consistently that meets you where you are currently!
Which leads me into my next step- deciding the level of commitment you can consistently make to your goals and fitness regimen. Be realistic with yourself! Some people may need 30 minute workouts each morning before the kids get up versus someone who can commit to an hour and a half, 3x a week. Neither is more or less beneficial. Again, the best program is one you can consistently adhere to. The reason we “fall off the wagon” though is due to our over commitment. We want to rush right out of the gate when we start to really focus on our health. Over promising and under delivering. This is a life-long journey! Not something we can do for 4-6 weeks and call it good. Be realistic with yourself and your time, as it’s our most precious asset.
A few other things to consider are your resources. Do you live 45 minutes from the nearest gym? How much money would you like to spend on a personal trainer or a gym membership? All of these should be taken into consideration when choosing a program that focuses on your goals.
Ultimately, it comes down to a program that best suits your lifestyle where it is right now. Conditions won’t always be perfect to start and time won’t slow down enough to keep putting it off. Find one that suits your time, will keep you motivated, can sustain you in the long run, and could help you achieve your fitness goals!
By Kait Coward - Fitness Trainer - IG @kait_coward
