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Learn to love exercise Print E-mail
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When it comes to keeping fit, consider all the options and go for an activity you know you will enjoy. Christina Neal offers some ideas to help you take those first important steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

If you have never considered yourself the sporty type, the idea of taking regular exercise might appeal to you as much as cleaning around back of the oven. Many of us, it seems, have negative preconceptions of exercise that prevent us from being active.

As a former fitness instructor, I have met many reluctant exercisers and their reasons for disliking activity have included: “It hurts,” “It’s boring,” “It can’t be good for me to get out of breath” and, most worryingly, “My daughter’s getting married and needs my help to organise the wedding.” Excuse me… but I thought when the kids grew up you were meant to get your life back!

No pain, just gain


Perhaps the two most common reasons for disliking exercise are the perceived pain levels or the boredom factor. I will tackle the pain issue first. If you have exercised before and found yourself gasping for breath and generally feeling very uncomfortable, you will have pushed yourself too hard. One of the best ways to start on an exercise programme is to find a level of intensity that feels comfortable for you. You should feel like you are doing something, but you shouldn’t be almost breathless.

Try the ‘talk test’, which means you can just about hold a conversation while exercising, without getting breathless. If you are working out with a friend, you may need to work at different speeds, because your fitness levels will probably vary. Trying to keep up with others may have been the cause of the problem in the past.

In short, ‘no pain, no gain’ is a myth. Exercise shouldn’t hurt. Moderate intensity exercise is very effective. If you work out at a moderate level, you will be able to continue for longer, and this will burn more calories.

Beating the boredom


The boredom factor can be overcome by thinking about what type of exercise may suit you. Many people give up going to the gym after a couple of weeks because they are pursuing an activity they dislike. Sticking with something you don’t enjoy is impossible in the long-term, however disciplined you are at the beginning.

The best form of exercise is the activity you enjoy the most because if you enjoy it, you will keep doing it. It is pointless wasting money on a home treadmill if you have always hated running. Why spend your money on a gym membership if you hate exercising indoors? Why book that exercise class if you prefer to exercise alone? Don’t be taken in by celebrity trends either: taking up yoga because Madonna loves it is pointless if you are not going to enjoy it.

Aim for something you believe you can at least tolerate – like walking or cycling – and try to do it moderately for about 30 minutes, three to five times a week. Think about the type of person you are. If you don’t like being told what to do and you don’t like fitting in around the schedules of others, exercise classes won’t suit you.

If you dislike just being in your own company, buying a home workout DVD or an exercise bike won’t work. You know yourself better than anyone: what would motivate you to get active? I have friends who will only go to the gym if there is someone to go with. If that sounds like you, then considering finding an exercise buddy. Check out the website www.sportingpartners.net , which will help you to locate a like-minded friend in your area.

If you are a team player in life, however, joining a local badminton, netball or golf club, for example, could be the perfect solution. If team sports don’t appeal though, what about joining a running club or a walking group? Walking can burn up to 400 calories per hour and is a very sociable way to get fit. Visit the Ramblers website (www.ramblers.org.uk ) to find your nearest walking club.

Women-only clubs


If you really would prefer to exercise alone but are nervous about going to the gym, there is a range of ‘women only’ health clubs that may make you feel less inhibited. Log on to the Fitness First website (www.fitnessfirst.com ) and click “First For Women” to find one of the 12 Fitness First For Women clubs located nationwide.

Alternatively, Holmes Place has ‘women only’ gyms within its main clubs. Visit their website (www.holmesplace.co.uk ) for more details.

It is also worth noting that many of the major health club chains offer discounted memberships for the over-50s, and cheaper off-peak memberships for all-ages groups.

Gym will fix it


If you do want to join a gym, ask for a guided tour of the facilities first. Some clubs will try to tie you into 12-month contracts that can’t be cancelled. Cannons and Fitness First, however, both have cancellation policies, which mean you aren’t tied in with them for a year.

Take a good look at the cleanliness of the gym and the changing rooms, as this will tell you a lot about the staff and whether or not they will care about your wellbeing. Observe how crowded the gym is and visit at the time you intend to train to make sure that there are plenty of machines available.


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