Tips for Finding Your Perfect Exercise Match

Tips for Finding Your Perfect Exercise Match

Exercise is such an essential part of mental and physical wellbeing, however many of us find it difficult to make time to stay active. Perhaps we lack time, and sometimes we lack motivation. Lets explore how to keep you active and healthy, even if you don’t have time or motivation!

Often, when we think of exercise we imagine jogging or the gym. However exercise can be anything that gets you moving! And the trick to reaping the long term benefits is to find an activity that you love and do regularly. Because exercise is not just about keeping fit, its about ensuring you have a better quality of life as you age.

Exercise can offer more than just physical benefits. Yes losing weight, getting stronger, having better bone density and better cardiovascular fitness can be great health benefits. But did you know that a regular exercise habit can also improve your mental health, improve your brain function, prevent diabetes and multiple other medical conditions as well as prevent falls?

Finding a new healthy activity can be a way to join a new community, improve self-esteem, confidence and social connection. By learning new skills or movements, your brain is laying down new neural pathways, a process known as neuroplasticity. Physical exercise has also been shown to help to improve learning and memory, in some cases even having a protective effect against age-related dementia.

Here are a few tips to help you find the right exercise for you!

1. Do a quick personality assessment.

Are you a competitive person? Or do you prefer to focus on your personal improvement of technique? Do you like group activities or solo adventures? The type of activity that captures your attention and focus will be easier for you to commit to. Matching your activity to your personality will also mean that you meet people who have similar interests to you.

2. Work with your injuries.

Injuries that stop us from participating in an activity we love can be devastating. However, you can often find another activity that doesn’t aggravate your injury, either as a replacement or to maintain fitness while rehabilitating. If you are struggling with hip or knee pain with impact sports such as running, switching to swimming or cycling are great options. If you like a little adrenaline, then mountain biking can be more of your style. Physiotherapists are able to advise you on which activities will be suitable for your particular condition.

3. Capitalise on your natural ability. 

Throwing and catching might not be your thing, but hiking or running might be what you enjoy. We all have natural abilities, finding a sport that challenges and develops areas that you find to be strengths is key to enjoying a hobby.

4. Develop a habit

Sometimes, like push starting a car, starting a new exercise habit can take some effort. We need a regular time set to start a habit, alot of encouragement and effort to get the ball rolling! Once we have momentum then the rest becomes easier. The trick is to remember why you started, enjoy the journey and reward yourself each time!

Want to learn more about healthy exercise and exercise rehabilitation with our physio team? We offer hydrotherapy classes  as well as tailored exercise rehabilitation to get you started off on the right foot!

Together our team work in a thorough manner to provide a complete biomechanical assessment of your problem as well as a thorough step-by-step explanation and treatment plan to help you move forward to a healthier, happier you. Learn more about our physiotherapy team here!

Contact us on 07 54483369 or simply book your appointment online