Here’s your best workout – Bloomington Pantagraph

BLOOMINGTON — When beginning an exercise program, know this: It’s never one size fits all. No fitness program is the best fitness program for everyone.

Here’s advice — from Mike Trotter of Gold’s Gym, Maddie Oliver of The Workout Company and Nancy Lamb of FirstNFitness — for people who want to start an exercise routine but don’t know how to begin:

Do what you enjoy

Look to exercises or sports that you enjoyed and consider how to make them a part of your routine. If you enjoyed swimming, resume that. If you like exercising with others, consider a group fitness class.

Determine your goals

Your goals will help you to determine your exercise. For example, if you want to lose weight, you will need cardiovascular work.

Meet with a personal trainer

A certified personal trainer will consider your goals and fashion a workout to help you to achieve your goals.

If a trainer prescribes a workout without discussing your goals, walk out, Trotter said. If you start with a trainer but your personalities don’t mesh, ask your gym’s director of personal training to assign another trainer to you.

“Make sure the trainer is listening to you,” Lamb said.

“This experience is about you,” Trotter said.

“It has to be someone you trust because, when you work out, you’re getting out of your comfort zone,” Oliver said.

Get it on your schedule

You’re busy so scheduling exercise increases the odds that you’ll do it.

When people tell Trotter that they don’t have time to exercise, he asks them what is the cost of not being fit and accomplishing their goals. People need to invest time in themselves and their health or “eventually they’ll need to make time to see a doctor,” he said.

Try different classes

If you think you may be interested in a group fitness class, discuss class offerings with a representative of a fitness center to determine what might be the best class for you. Try a couple different classes, Lamb said. Some gyms allow people one free class session to determine whether they want to sign up for the class.

Consider the cost

If you’re considering a gym membership, consider the cost, which could be about $40 a month.

More importantly, consider the cost of not exercising.

“Gym membership is cheaper than medical bills,” Oliver said.

Take your time

“With each step, you get closer to reaching your goal,” Trotter said.

Follow Paul Swiech on Twitter: @pg_swiech

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