Hard Workout or Easy Workout? And Does it Matter?

Written by Bridget

There are many differences of opinion surrounding what is the best kind of fitness programme. Some say that it should make you really puffed, the no pain no gain theory. Some say that exercise should be easy and low impact to burn the most fat, with the theory of the fat burning zone. Just as many people will say this is rubbish and it’s just how many calories you burn that matters and it doesn’t matter how you do it.

I think that all the conflicting information can make it choosing a fitness programme really confusing and can be off-putting, especially to those who are new to exercise. And that is surely the last thing anyone really wants to do!

I don’t think any trainers and fitness experts would want to put people off but this is what can happen when there is just too much information around.

So how are you supposed to know what is best?

Well I guess the easiest and most simple answer I can give is just to try it.

This may seem really obvious and maybe a bit dumb with all the scientific studies and experiments to explain the virtues and pitfalls of different types of fitness programmes but seriously what are you exercising for?

Is it not to feel good? Is it not to be healthier, to be stronger and fitter and look great? Isn’t the end result that we want to enjoy the journey as well as the results? Don’t we all actually want to be happy?

Maybe finding a friend for tennis might be a perfect way to spend an hour at the weekend...

So in that case shouldn’t we be doing exercise that we enjoy?

If you hate working out really hard till it makes you feel sick and you join a boot camp the chances are that you will hate it and be put off exercise for a longtime afterwards. Conversely, if you really like to feel like you have really really worked your body and you love the feeling of exhaustion after a workout then maybe long walks in the hills is not going to be the best fitness programme for you.

It’s all about what you enjoy – after all it is your life. If you love team sports then join some teams! If you love to swim then don’t worry if you have heard that running is better for calorie burning – just get in the pool or the sea and swim! Do what you love to do and you will want to do it more often and for longer. Do what you love and you won’t feel the pain of working out.

This is the formula for success because you will be exercising often, enjoying it and staying fit and healthy at the same time.

And then if you want to experiment with different types of workout or heart rates then feel free to do so but keep in mind that you exercise because it makes you happy and when you are happy then you know that is the correct workout type for you.