How to Love Exercise: Finding the Workout That Works for You

Love Activity, Hate Exercise?

In 2018 there was moderate huffing in physio circles about the ‘love activity, hate exercise?’ Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) campaign. Physio Nick Emery pointed out that physical activity is good but often insufficient without strength and cardiovascular exercise to optimise health, as per recommendations from the UK Chief Medical Officer (and many others).

Love & Cycling

To be fair to the campaign, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications at the CSP Sara Hazard did write:

"The question mark next to ‘exercise’ in the campaign title is very important – it makes it a topic for discussion, rather than a statement."

The campaign was certainly successful in generating discussion. It also highlights an important issue. As undoubtedly important as exercise is, many people do have negative perceptions about exercise, as evidenced by the focus group feedback that led to this campaign.

Why We Resist Exercise

I think this parallels a different public perception problem from which one can infer where the emphasis should be to address exercise resistance - reading.

My school librarian used to say, ‘It’s not that you don’t enjoy reading, it’s that you haven’t found the right book.’ The same is true for exercise.

Finding My Exercise Genre

This year, I started running. I completed a 5km, a 10km and have a marathon relay lined up in September with the JSSC team. 

I find running ok, but I don't love it. I really do not enjoy cycling (it reminds me of commuting to school as a groggy teenager). However, I love the cross trainer. 

I enjoy the cross trainer because it aligns with my goal (increase mitochondrial density and efficiency by doing 2x weekly 90 mins zone 2 cardiovascular exercise); I can do other things whilst I exercise (like writing this post); and it feels good.

Growing the Love

So what is the best exercise? This is well summarised by a phrase I first heard from Prof. Caroline Alexander whilst working at Imperial:

‘The best exercise is the exercise that gets done.’  

3 Tips For Finding Your Exercise Genre

1. Play to your strengths - ability begets enjoyment - if you're tall and slim choose basketball over sumo wrestling

   
   

2. Try to incorporate both strength training and cardiovascular exercise in your trial - doing both will maximise your health benefits

   
   

3. Experiment early - you may have to try a few exercise variations before finding what suits you. Don't become disheartened, each exercise that doesn't float your boat is one step closer to one that does

When Exercise Hurts

When people are living with pain, the list of unenjoyable motion often grows.

Part of our job as physiotherapists is to collaborate with people to find ways they can return to or start exercise that they enjoy, that optimises their health and wellbeing.

If you are struggling to engage with exercise due to pain, a physiotherapist can help you safely explore options and rediscover movement you actually enjoy, even if you’re dealing with pain. If pain is holding you back, book a physiotherapy consultation. Together we’ll find movement you enjoy that supports your long-term health.