Types of Exercise
Finding the Best Exercise Types for You
There are currently a wide variety of exercise types to choose from. They range from the traditional weight lifting routines that have been around forever to the newer, more exotic, kick-boxing, aerobic, and dance routines. Which ones are the most effective? Can you do more than one? Which ones should be kept separate? There are so many choices that trying to select a routine that meets your needs quickly becomes confusing. But designing a balanced fitness program isn't that difficult if you keep the following basic concepts in mind.
The Fitness Triangle
Even though there are probably thousands of different exercise types, all of them can be put into one of three general categories based on the physical benefits they develop. These 3 general categories form a "Fitness Triangle" with each category forming one side of the triangle. Like any triangle, each side is just as important as the others. If any side is removed or weakened, the entire triangle collapses. All three categories of exercise are an important part of a balanced fitness program and your routine should include exercises from each category.
The "Fitness Triangle" is composed of the following Categories of Exercise:
- Cardio. These include any exercise or activity that strengthens your cardiovascular system, which includes your heart, lungs, and circulatory system. These types of exercises strengthen your cardio system by putting an increased demand on it for 20-30 minutes at a time. This category includes exercises and low impact activities like walking, swimming, and cycling as well as high impact exercises like running and sprinting.
- Flexibility. These exercises and/or activities improve the flexibility of your muscles, joints, and ligaments. Improved flexibility increases coordination and reduces the chance of injury. Examples of flexibility exercises include simple stretching and Yoga.
- Strength. This category includes any exercises or activities that increase muscle strength, either through the lifting of weights or through the use of resistance devices such as elastic bands. Examples include weight lifting, resistance bands, push-ups and pull-ups.
It's true that many exercises will fit into more than one category. However, there's always going to be one benefit (cardio, flexibility, or strength) that stands out above the others.
The most important thing to remember from this discussion is that your fitness routine needs to include exercises from each category. Let me say that again:
A balanced physical fitness routine contains cardio, flexibility, and strength exercises.
Over the next few sections, we'll discuss each type of exercise category in greater detail. Once you're done with this chapter, you'll know which exercises will best fit your fitness goals and you'll be able to design a fitness routine that's complete, balanced, and most important of all, that works for you.
Your Next Step
Let's first learn about the benefits of Aerobic Exercise, or you can go back to the All About Exercise page.
Page Updated: 12/1/06
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