By Dr Nic Gill, All Blacks’ Strength and Conditioning Coach / Associate Professor of Health, Sport and Human Performance at the University of Waikato / Author of Health Your Self.*
One of the biggest barriers to staying active is not knowing where to start.
My advice? Experiment, experiment, experiment.
I believe being open to trying new things is one of the best things you can do for your physical health. Most of us learn by doing – not thinking about doing.
We gain tremendous experience and knowledge by experimenting in all areas of our life. And, it’s good fun, too! It’s a great way to learn what works for you and make small changes to improve your overall wellbeing.
The challenge with exercise is knowing how to give things a go without risk of injury. Here are some tips.
When motivation is high, it’s tempting to try a few things at once. Maybe you’re inspired to join a social sports team, try yoga, and register for a fun run?
Instead, keep it simple. Try one new thing at a time so you can easily monitor whether it’s a good fit for your lifestyle.
As I mentioned in the intro, experimenting with different forms of exercise should be fun and enjoyable. Try to choose an experiment you think you will enjoy. And, if it turns out you don’t enjoy it, chalk it up to a learning experience and try something new.
The biggest risk of trying new types of exercise is injury. Start small, slow, and steady.
If you’re interested in yoga, start with a beginner’s class – don’t try to go straight to a head stand.
If you’re new to golf, give yourself plenty of time to learn the ropes.
If you’re new to running, start by jogging very short distances (lamp post to lamp post) and slowly build up to longer intervals.
Make time for regular self-reflection. Ask yourself questions such as:
Am I enjoying this?
Does this feel like a good fit for my lifestyle?
Will I be able to sustain this type of activity over the long-term?
Don’t be afraid to make small tweaks – or big changes – if something isn’t working for you. That’s the beauty of experimenting.
If in doubt, give things a go (slowly and steadily) and see how you feel. It really can be that simple.