Finding the Right Workout for Your Fitness Goals
When it comes to exercising, figuring out the best way to work out for your unique goals can be challenging and a little overwhelming.
To help narrow it down, focus your search based on the fitness goal you are trying to reach. Whether that’s becoming stronger, leaner or just healthier overall – there’s a workout for you. Check out some of these options below to start working toward your goal:
- Body Weight Training – This type of workout involves no equipment – you use your own body weight to create resistance and results. This means no gym membership, no weights and no hassle. You can perform these kinds of exercises without leaving the comfort of your home. Exercises in this category can include sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, and squats. Body weight routines are aimed at developing lean muscle, but that’s not the only thing they help with. You can help your joints and bones, decrease the risk of diabetes and increase your metabolism.
- Aerobic Exercise – More commonly known as “cardio”, aerobic exercises get your heart rate up, which delivers more oxygen to your cells. Anything from running, cycling and even swimming are great examples. These activities torch calories, which can help with losing weight. While these activities can aid in increasing lean muscle, they help one progress more in their stamina and endurance.
- Weight Lifting – Weight lifting, another form of resistance training, is more well understood and can be done in a variety of locations. You can lift weights at home or at the gym and even do some using your own body weight. Lifting does not have to solely consist of bench pressing – it can be free weights (dumb bells) or using machines. Unless you have this kind of equipment at home, a gym membership may be necessary. In addition to strengthening muscles and tissues, studies have shown that lifting increases bone density, which can help in the fight against osteoporosis.
The exercises on this list shouldn’t be viewed as mutually exclusive. Strength training can help improve performance in aerobic exercises and body weight training can be a precursor to weight training. Workouts can (and should) have combinations of the above categories. It’s all about finding the right combination that works best for you.
What’s your favorite workout and what benefits does it provide you? Tell us in the comments.
If you liked this blog, check out:
- Top 3 Reasons You Should Be Lifting Weights to Beat Stress
- Forever Young: How Strength Training Can Help You Age Gracefully
- No Gym? No Problem. Get in Cardio Without Leaving Home
Photo credit: Matt Madd
Greetings! Very helpful advice for me to find right workout within this article! Many thanks for sharing!
My favorite workout is any kind of dance, from ballet to Senegalese dance. It’s a combination of aerobic and body weight training when done “full out” every time.
Thanks for your input, Karla. Dancing is a great way to stay active. Keep it up!
I wish our insurance provided the opportunity to participate in Silver Sneakers for no fee. It is expensive to join gyms and stresses my budget.
Hi Stephanie, If you are a BCBSM member, your Medicare Advantage plan might include participation in the Silver Sneakers program. To find a participating location and check your eligibility, please click here, https://tools.silversneakers.com/LocationSearch – Taylar
Thank you for the information reminding us how we can stay healthy without joining a gym. One spelling error (sorry) in the Aerobic Exercise section: muscl should be muscle.
Thanks
Thanks for catching that, Kathleen. We’ve gone ahead and made that change. Glad to hear you enjoy our content!
One of the best things BCBS could do for us is provide Silver Sneakers as a free benefit. It would end up being cheaper for them as those taking part would improve their health and be much less likely to need as much medical care as those that are unfit. Please consider this request. Many plans include this as they know the true benefits to everyone. Thank you.
Hi Lonnie, Most of our Medicare Advantage plans actually do include participation in the Silver Sneakers program. You can find a participating location and check your eligibility here: https://tools.silversneakers.com/LocationSearch
why can’t we get silver snickers?
Hi Rosemarie, If you are a BCBSM member, your Medicare Advantage plan might include participation in the Silver Sneakers program. To find a participating location and check your eligibility, please click here, https://tools.silversneakers.com/LocationSearch
I do Cardio Drumming 3 times a week, it give me a real workout while I’m having fun and listening to great songs with my friends.
Great work, Janice. Keep it up!
Enhanced Fitness Program sponsored by the National Kidney Ass. should be
on everyone’s schedule and a part of one’s life! Look it up under National Kidney Association for your
county.
I would like BC/BS to consider the silver sneakers program for its senior members,
Izzy
Hi Izzy, Most of our Medicare Advantage plans do include participation in the Silver Sneakers program. To find a participating location and check your eligibility, please click here, https://tools.silversneakers.com/LocationSearch
I checked and my plan (MPSERS) still does not participate in Silver Sneakers. That is very disappointing and I hope that the program can be added to our benefits soon.
Hi Marilyn, If you’re looking to change your plan or have questions about your coverage, please call us at 1-833-438-1125, and we’ll be happy to talk through your options. Best, Taylar
My legs failed me five years ago. Now I need a walker to move. I carry a lot of weight with my upper body. Balance is an issue as is numbness and muscle weakness. I have had surgery in five places on my spine.
Desperate for solutions as I am retired P. E. Teacher.
Hi John, Thanks for sharing your story with us. We’d recommend speaking with your primary care physician to get the proper medical advice. If you’re a member with us, you can also reach out here: http://miblues.co/1Bb6oI4, with any specific questions you have. Thank you, Taylar