Variety is the spice of life and this is also true when it comes to your exercise routine. It’s not just about avoiding boredom doing the same routine every day. Variety also helps you have a well-rounded physical experience. That said, here are the different types of exercise:
1. Cardio exercises
Cardio is without a doubt the most popular type of exercise. There are a variety of workouts in this category including walking, jogging, running, cross-country skiing, cycling, swimming, dancing, spinning and so much more. Anything that keeps your heart rate up is considered a cardio exercise. But did you know that there are two kinds? Yes, there’s aerobic and anaerobic cardio training.
Aerobic exercise pertains to the pace of your workout; there should be a steady pace and intensity (low to moderate intensity) throughout the whole exercise. Anaerobic exercise, on the other hand, refers to high intensity cardio and intervals training.
2. Sports
Sports can go a long way in motivating you and keeping you active physically even as you get older. Team sports like basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer provide balance between quality high-intensity training and fun.
2. Weight training
A lot of people think that weight training has only one end result – hypertrophy. But the truth is that there are many goals you can achieve with weights including:
- Hypertrophy
- Muscular endurance
- Strength
- Improved cardio
4. Flexibility training
Some people are naturally born flexible, others aren’t. Fortunately there are exercises that improve flexibility and mobility, such as stretching. This can either be static or dynamic; active or passive. Static stretching develops tension on the muscles without contracting them, staying in a position for 20 to 30seconds. Dynamic stretching on the other hand is performed through comfortable yet challenging movements repeatedly. Active stretching applies motion by relying on the opposing muscle to do the stretch. Passive stretching utilizes external help in which you relax into a stretch while something intensifies the stretch further.
5. Yoga
There are various yoga styles such as Ashtanga, Hatha, vinyasa flow, hot yoga, and Kundalini and most are practiced in Yoga studios like YogaWorks. Generally speaking yoga is the integration of body and breath through isometric exercises, stretching and moving meditation. Practicing yoga regularly will help mobilize joints, improve flexibility and strengthen muscles.
6. Pilates
Joseph Pilates developed this exercise technique which incorporates controlled movements underscoring the importance of breathing, alignment, and strengthening the core. By regularly doing Pilates, it will increase flexibility and stability, as well improve coordination, strength and balance.
Try this 15-minute Pilates workout: