Prioritizing our overall well-being has instantly become the no.1 focus in this post-pandemic era. Definitely an eye-opener! Our social media feeds have been showing tons of people sharing their fitness journeys and exercise tips. While a home workout is good enough, doesn’t it make you wonder about other fitness training out there? They have different approaches aligned to specific physical goals and lifestyles. Curious about which might work for you? Here are some of the five most popular methods to know (and explore).
1. Strength Training
Strength training involves using resistance, such as weights or bodyweight exercises, to build muscle strength and increase overall physical strength. It can involve exercises like weightlifting using dumbbells, resistance band workouts, or bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats.
2. Cardiovascular Training
Cardiovascular (or simply cardio) training focuses on improving cardiovascular endurance and involves activities that increase your heart rate, such as running, cycling, swimming, or aerobic classes. It helps improve heart health, burn calories, and increase stamina.
3. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT combines short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. It typically involves exercises like sprints, burpees, or jumping jacks. HIIT can help improve cardiovascular fitness, burn calories, and boost metabolism.
4. Pilates
Ever wondered what a bed-like frame in studios that rolls back and forth is for? It’s called a reformer for Pilates. Pilates is a low-impact, mind-body exercise method that focuses on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. It incorporates controlled movements, breathing techniques, and exercises using specialized equipment (i.e. reformer) or just a mat. Pilates can improve posture, flexibility, and overall body strength.
5. Yoga
Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote strength, flexibility, balance, and mental well-being. They can be achieved using various styles of yoga, such as Hatha, Vinyasa, or Ashtanga, each with its own focus and intensity level. If this interests you, we have curated the must-have items for your first at-home yoga practice and highly recommended brands that balance style, comfort, and durability.
Still unsure?
Apart from identifying your fitness goals — which, by the way, often change along your fitness journey and changing interests — other factors to consider are as follows:
- Preferences: Consider your personal preferences and what activities you enjoy. If you find joy in dance, you might lean towards aerobic classes or dance workouts. If you prefer being outdoors, activities like running or cycling could be more appealing.
- Health and Fitness Level: Take into account your current fitness level, any health concerns, or injuries. Some training methods may be more suitable for beginners or those with specific conditions, while others may require a higher fitness level.
- Time and Availability: Assess how much time you can dedicate to fitness training and what resources are available to you. Some methods may require access to specific equipment or facilities, while others can be done at home with minimal equipment.
Consider consulting with a fitness professional, such as a personal trainer, who can assess your needs, provide guidance, and create a personalized fitness plan based on your goals and abilities. They can help you determine which training method aligns best with your specific requirements. However, this is a bit pricey or an additional expense but you can opt for inquiring with other experienced fitness enthusiasts and watch reviews on online platforms.
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