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Phone 59 77 04 66 | FAX 59 75 6752.  938 Nepean Hwy, Mornington
M 8am-6:30pm | T 9am-7pm | W 9am-8pm | T 9am-6pm | F 8am-6.30pm

What exercise is right for me?

by Dr Brian Nicholls

We live in an age of information overload. It was estimated a while ago that one copy of a typical weekend newspaper like the Saturday Age contains as much information as the average 17th century person absorbed in one lifetime. Information overload applies particularly to health. We are bombarded with information about the latest fad diet or the latest exercise craze. Much of it seems contradictory, and it seems to change every five minutes. One of the most common questions our patients ask is “I know I should be exercising more, but I have no idea what to do. Should I join the gym? Should I get a personal trainer? Should I take up Pilates?” Well, as the old saying goes, “How long is a piece of string?”
The best way to exercise is the way that suits your needs as an individual. Sounds obvious, but how do you work that out? There are a few simple steps you can take, and a few questions you need to ask yourself in order to work out what type of exercise is best for you.

  1. Do I need to exercise for a specific purpose, or do I need to exercise for general health? There are times when you may need to exercise for a purpose – to rehabilitate after an injury. To regain strength after an injury or illness. To avoid post-natal problems such as pelvic floor weakness, or perhaps to help with weight loss. In such cases, the problem itself will often dictate the best type of exercise. On the other hand, exercise for general health will often involve a more varied approach, covering flexibility, resistance exercise and cardio training.
  2. What are my capabilities and limitations? Most of us need to accept that, initially at least, there will be some limitations on what we can and can’t do. Age may be a factor. We may have pre-existing health problems that will affect our ability to exercise, such as asthma or high blood pressure. We may have old injuries that have to be taken into account. The sensible thing if you have any doubts, is to have an assessment of your ability to exercise. Many people go to their GP for this, but bear in mind that most GPs only carry out a basic check of your heart and lung function. They are usually not trained to do full assessments of exercise capability. For a more thorough assessment, you may be better advised to see a good Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist. In addition to checking heart and lung function, they will also assess your strength, flexibility, balance etc., and advise you on suitable types of exercise
  3. Are there any problems I need to get sorted out first? If you start a new exercise programme with a pre-existing problem, it may have the opposite to the desired effect. Trying to take up running if you already have sore feet or knees, for instance, is likely to do more harm than good. If you have a problem that can be treated, get it fixed by an appropriate practitioner before you start exercising.
  4. How much time do I have? Don’t embark on an ambitious programme if you can’t keep up with it. Be realistic about how much time you will be able to commit to your exercise.
  5. Do I have a preferred way of exercising? If you are a social animal, you may prefer to exercise in a group environment. If you’re an outdoor type, staring at the four walls of a gym may bore you to tears. On the other hand, if you prefer solitary exercise, don’t join a group class.
  6. Should I go with the latest fad? Some trendy exercises may be perfectly OK to do if they suit you as an individual, but the point is to do the research to find out if they are suitable for you.
  7. Who should I go to for advice? If you are exercising for general health purposes, and are reasonably problem-free, a personal trainer may give you the help you need. However, bear in mind that most personal trainers have only completed relatively short training courses, and may be unfamiliar with the limitations imposed by particular health problems. If you have an existing health issue, or need exercise for a particular purpose, you would be well advised to see a health professional such as an Osteopath, Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist.