Some days I’m all about the cardio; other days I want to pump👏🏾it👏🏾up!
Ever since I was young I’ve liked movement to music/dance cardio but recognized the importance off weight training for balanced health.
During a more stressful time in my late thirties, I picked up distance running and had a love/hate relationship with it lol. My knee issues brought running beyond 5km to an end and I “Marie Kondo’d” it, thanking it for the results (best shape of my fitness career) but it no longer sparked joy so bye boy bye!
I know flexibility and mindful exercise is key to balance but never really took to yoga (or so I thought) and picked up Pilates instead:).
Tbh It's hard to categorize any one program as being the best so with the multitude of them out there how do you know which is for you?
As a Beachbody Coach who exclusively deals with OnDemand I get asked daily which programs are the best for particular situations and goals.
During a fitness/wellness consultation, I ask personality questions because I know that when it comes to exercise, there are some defining personality traits that could affect your workouts and your ability to stick to a routine.
Multitasking Mover
To please the Multitasker in you, choose to incorporate moves into your workout that combine multiple muscle groups at once, like squats with bicep curls or a lunges with a lateral raise.
Social Sweater
You like moving with your friends, however, if you know deep down that you could be pushing yourself harder, schedule solo sessions by yourself during the week in addition to your group workouts.
Mindful Master
Tune into the mind-body connection that is so through traditional methods such as Yoga, Pilates and Meditation and not as obvious ones like running, barre workouts and lifting weights. All require extreme focus and control, and will add more variability to your workouts.
Adventurous Exerciser
You have an admirable attitude toward fitness (fun/exercise balance) but make sure that when you do work out, you're pushing yourself to your highest potential. Try signing up for self-defense class or join a hiking club to challenge yourself and make fitness even more of a priority on a regular basis.
Inner Athlete
Use that competitive drive to your advantage by joining a league that plays at least weekly and then supplement your sports play with one-on-one lessons or sports-specific workouts to help hone your skills. From yoga for athletes to suspension training for golfers, there's a specific workout for you no matter what your sport.
Hardcore Exerciser
Keep taking on those big ambitious goals, but be sure to work in at least a day or two of recovery each week. You‘ll improve your performance by giving your body time to rest. Try swapping a weight-lifting session out for some power yoga, or go for an outdoor hike instead of running sprints. Your body and mind will thank you!
The bottom line though is that the answer to the question, “Which is the right training program for me?”, is the one that you (a) enjoy and (b) can maintain as a lifestyle.
I‘m definitely a multitask mover which makes sense why running although provided such amazing results was an activity I couldn't maintain. By its very repetitive nature its not akin to my personality. But I have figured out how to get some of that movement/cardio in the workouts that I DO enjoy such as HIIT and Fitness Kickbox.
There is so much out there now that regardless of what a quiz might “tell” you, whatever routine you enjoy at the time or for its results that you are consistent at is the right one for you.
Oh and it can change and vary depending on stage in life and other factors and that’s okay too.
But if you like quizzes here is a good one that I give my clients: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-exercise-personality-quiz/ . Try it and send me a message or email at livewellwithmichelle.org@gmail.com; I would love to hear about your results!!
Interested in a fitness/wellness consultation or have some questions about nutrition and your current fitness program? Join any of my groups online (Facebook) and/or pick up my book, How to be Fit for Life - Eight Proven Steps to Reaching Your Fitness Goals, Getting Results, and Living the Fitness Life for more help with your fitness journey. And please feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have:).
Resource: https://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/slideshow.asp?show=72.