Finding the Right Exercise Routine for You
What’s the Best Exercise for You?
With so many workout trends emerging every season — HIIT classes, yoga, Pilates, weight lifting, and steady-state cardio — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Every method claims to be the best exercise for fat loss, mental health, or longevity. But is there truly one best form of movement?
The Truth About Exercise Trends
Each form of movement offers unique health benefits:
- HIIT: Great for cardiovascular health and burning calories in short bursts.
- Yoga and Pilates: Improve range of motion, muscle strength, and mental state.
- Strength Training: Supports muscle mass, bone density, and metabolic health.
- Steady-State Cardio: Enhances heart rate, blood flow, and cognitive function.
However, to swear by one form of movement as “the best” or the one you “just have to do!” is a bit of an overstatement.
The Best Form of Exercise
The best form of exercise is the one you enjoy doing. The one that’s realistic and practical for you to do consistently. Whether it’s taking workout classes, strength training, playing sports, walking, or even dancing, at the end of the day and in the grand scheme of your life, what matters is that you moved your body throughout your life.
As a former personal trainer and current health professional, I’ve seen countless amounts of people stop exercising altogether because a trainer or professional would give them one approach and make them feel guilty if they didn’t enjoy it. There can be so much guilt and resistance associated with adjustment and change but the truth is, you’re meant to adapt throughout your life. If you’ve weight trained for a year, loved it, but eventually got tired of it, it doesn’t necessarily mean you failed or couldn’t be consistent and should give up altogether. It means it’s time to search for another exercise love.
How to Find Movement You Enjoy
Just like anything else, if you’re trying to find something new you enjoy, you have to explore. You have to try a few options until one feels exciting and natural and fits into your budget and schedule. Here are different ways to explore your options:
- Try New Activities: Experiment with brisk walking, resistance training, or even tai chi.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how different movements impact your physical health and mental well-being.
- Consider Your Lifestyle: If you’re busy, focus on at-home workouts or incorporating more daily physical activities.
- Socialize Through Movement: Join a local park walking group, try a dance class, or play sports with friends.
- Adjust When Needed: Your fitness level and preferences may change, and that’s okay!
Before I found my favorite forms of movement (walking and strength training), I went through years of powerlifting, then years of boxing classes, then years of just walking. I went through phases of loving one form of movement so much then feeling like I needed a change and taking a few classes (and rest) until I found a new love.
What if You Don’t Enjoy Exercise?
Honestly, I get it. There was a time in my life when moving just to exercise was not going to happen. I didn’t enjoy it. And even if I did enjoy a type of workout class at the moment, I didn’t have a desire to go back consistently or sign up for a membership and I sure as heck didn’t look forward to it.
But let me tell you what changed. What changed was honestly being fed up and exhausted with not feeling like I was doing much of anything for myself. I got up, went to school, went to work, and went to bed, without a thought or moment for myself. It’s not that I wanted to move so badly, it was that I wanted to do something desperately.
It was the reward of taking care of myself mentally that got me hooked on movement. I truly believe that’s where the change happens. And when you become hooked on simply taking care of yourself, you release the pressure of finding a “perfect” workout, and just move your body to move it. It’s extremely gratifying and freeing when your mindset shifts to the purpose of movement.
What can you do if you’re not in the right mindset? Instead of focusing on “exercise,” shift your mindset to joyful movement— any activity that keeps you active and engaged in everyday life. Some good ways to incorporate movement include:
- Walking while listening to music or podcasts
- Doing yard work or household chores
- Playing with kids or pets
- Turning on a playlist and having a dance party
The good news is that small changes add up! Regular movement improves physical ability, cognitive function, and overall health — no matter how you do it.
Ideal vs. Realistic Workout Routines
Okay, but what should you be doing?
While an ideal exercise routine might include:
- 2–4 days of resistance training (using weight machines, own body weight, or free weights)
- Daily aerobic exercise like brisk walking, cycling, or yard work
- Stretching and recovery sessions to prevent injury and improve flexibility
A realistic routine depends on your schedule and motivation. Start with one type of exercise that fits your life and gradually build from there. Even short bursts of activity can improve heart health and blood flow.
Bottom Line
The best thing you can do for your physical health and mental well-being is to move regularly — whether through a structured fitness routine or everyday activities like dancing, yard work, or taking regular trips outside. The key isn’t perfection but consistency in finding movement that fits your life.
Think of building this habit like constructing a house—you need a strong foundation before adding the details. Rather than worrying about the perfect routine, start with one form of movement you enjoy and gradually build upon it. Over time, small changes will enhance your overall health, making regular movement a natural part of your daily routine.
Consult a personal trainer or healthcare provider if you need guidance, and remember — exercise should be enjoyable, not a chore!
Last Updated: February 24, 2025
With my clients, I focus on shifting habits without restricting or counting calories to achieve sustainable weight loss or weight maintenance. We use practical nutrition so we can live life and feel our best!
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