OK, so the title of this email is a little misleading for sure!
It alludes to the fact that I’m going to offer my opinion on a single form of exercise that ticks every box for everyone, deeming it “THE Best” form of exercise.
All the time we see flexible people migrate to Yoga, lean people with great stamina enjoying the benefits of aerobic endurance exercise whilst we see the more powerfully built people heading to the weights room. In almost every case we hear carefully prepared and logical arguments touting the superior benefits of each persons chosen type of exercise and how it’s helped them transform in some way or other.
So who is correct?
Well…all of them…and none of them!
Sorry to sit on the fence but if there is one thing I’ve learnt in over 40 years of exercise is that the human body works best in BALANCE!
Too much weight training and/or running without adequate mobility and stretching can lead to muscle tightness, postural imbalance and injury. Similarly too much stretching without appropriate strength and stability work can also lead to pain and injury. I also recommend no matter what exercise that you enjoy, a decent level of aerobic fitness may serve as a great base to boosting performance, whilst enhancing overall health and mitochondrial function.
So What’s The Answer?
Firstly knowing your health and fitness goals is of paramount importance, otherwise it’s akin to embarking on a road trip with no destination. Then, once your Macro (big) goals have been identified, breaking them down in to Micro (smaller) goals, or steps, helps you to see the route ahead, not dissimilar to a GPS.
Then PROGRAMMING is vitally important.
Taking time to programme or plan your exercise will give you much greater results than simply going to a Gym or park and hoping for the best. Factor in myofascial release work with a foam roller, include stretching and include 2-3 sessions per week that includes variable tempo aerobic training and periodised strength training.
YES have easier training or de-load weeks every 4-6 weeks, yes ensure that you get great quality rest and recovery as training adaptation only takes place when we sleep.
Addressing balance to your life truly is the key to health.
My DNALife test earlier this year exposed how my oestrogen levels have been way out of balance for many years and may well have been the leading cause of my breast cancer! My husband Marc, after 40 years of Martial Arts and 3 World Kickboxing titles has had to have his right hip replaced, hence his training was certainly out of balance.
Sadly, if you don’t find balance…balance will at some point come and find you!
Regardless of your current situation, you can always make a positive, happy and healthy changes to your life.
Speak soon,
Vanessa
