Exercise is one of the most important things you can do as a human being to maintain your physical health. It’s been said from a thousand different sources, but the fact remains that exercise is essential if you want to live a healthy and productive life. Without exercise, our bodies are not as able to adapt to other environmental factors such as disease and other types of ailments. Indeed, it is always worth repeating that exercise should be something every person engages in, no matter your age or skill level. But there are some important things to be aware of prior to taking the plunge into your preferred form of physical activity. Here are some tips from your Parket physical therapist with regards to exercise.

Find The Exercise You Love to Do

If you currently don’t exercise and you’re thinking about taking the important step of beginning a regular workout regimen, it’s important to find something which doesn’t take a lot of effort to motivate yourself to do. Many people who don’t exercise view physical activity as a chore which is difficult to engage in. If you’ve been immobile for much of the past few years, the prospect of getting your heartrate up can be intimidating, making it much less likely that you’ll actually go out of your way to exercise.

But here’s the thing: exercise doesn’t need to be this impossible, difficult to achieve activity which is an absolute chore to engage in. Many people dread the idea of going to the gym, as they don’t have the first idea about what form of exercise they enjoy doing. This brings up one of the most important factors when it comes to beginning to exercise regularly: if you actually want to go out of your way to do it, you will need to reduce obstacles to getting it done. Perhaps the most important obstacle to overcome is the belief that exercise isn’t fun or enjoyable.

In order to accomplish this, it’s essential to find an activity which will make the act of exercising a much more accessible and enjoyable prospect. It may be difficult to presently imagine, but exercise can actually become one of your most enjoyable activities, one that you will eventually begin to look forward to. Although many people think there’s not a single exercise they enjoy, they’ll soon realize they haven’t considered the vast amounts of exercise which a person can engage in. 

Did you enjoy swimming as a child? Perhaps water aerobics might be the best option for you. Are you someone that enjoys riding a bike? Consider taking a spin class or joining a bicycle group. Maybe you’re someone who enjoys playing a team sport, such as basketball. Playing hoops is a terrific way to get in both strength training and cardio exercise, and it can be a fun and competitive activity to boot. Clearly, there are almost endless types of exercise which can provide you with an enjoyable alternative to simply running on a treadmill or working out on a machine. Once you find the activity you enjoy most, the act of exercise will become a breeze and not such a terrible chore which you receive no joy from.
Be Aware of Your Body

After you’ve discovered the type of exercise that motivates you to get moving, you will want to make sure you are taking the necessary precautions and not overexerting yourself. Many injuries happen when a person is not listening to what their body is telling them, and they end up overexerting themselves in the process. It’s always important to listen to what your body is telling you throughout your workout, as it will let you know if you are pushing it too hard or simply need a few minutes to rest and regain your strength.

If you have been immobile for a long period of time, any type of cardio exercise can feel scary and make you realize how important it is to return to normal physical activity. If you haven’t worked out in a while, it’s definitely a good idea to scale up slowly before you push it too hard. It’s certainly not a good idea to try to run 5 miles if you haven’t been on a run in 5 years. Whenever possible, listen to what your body is telling you and take what it says seriously, as ignoring this fact can lead to serious injury.

Be Sensible

So you’ve just discovered your newfound love of rock climbing and you’re wanting to push the limits of this exciting form of exercise. While rock climbing is certainly a fun and challenging workout, it is not something you should take lightly. A mistake can lead to serious injury or death, turning your productive workout into your worst nightmare. When it comes to exercise, especially forms of exercise which are risky or dangerous, it is always advisable to be sensible when you are exercising. Don’t go on a trail run without an adequate amount of water. Don’t hike in areas where there might be severe weather present. Don’t do anything that can make it more likely to be injured. Just be sensible!

If you are looking to improve your physical health situation is and are in need of physical therapy due to an accident or other physical ailments, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today and we will be happy to assist you with your first steps towards recovery. We have an extensive team of qualified physical therapists and specialists who care deeply about their clients and go above and beyond the call of duty to provide the highest quality treatment in the industry. If you are looking for a therapist who will carefully assess your individual needs and formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your needs, Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness is your preferred choice for the physical recovery process.