What’s Your Exercise Personality?

Here’s your motivation to move

CLICK HERE to learn how Jonathan Davidson of Allentown and Barbara Rice of Bethlehem found their exercise personalities and control their diabetes.

RELATED STORIES

• Why Exercise is So Important
• How Much Exercise Do You Need?

Have you ever gone to an exercise class and thought to yourself, “This just isn’t me?” It could be that you aren’t doing the kind of activity that best suits your personality. After all, not everyone enjoys perspiring to loud music in a room full of strangers!

Each of us is different, and what works to motivate you and keep you active may be just the opposite of what interests your best friend, says family physician Joseph Habig, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “The key is to find something fun,” he says. “Maybe it’s something you loved doing as a kid, such as jumping rope, riding a bike or playing a certain sport.”

No matter your personality or interest, you can find a fun, enjoyable exercise. And once you find activities you enjoy, you’re more likely to stick with your exercise program. Of course, you should always check with your physician or health care provider before beginning an exercise program. Here are some ideas from Habig and his colleagues, exercise physiologists Jackie Svrcek and Eric Witzel.

If you like to be outside:

• Take a walk (you can do this alone or with friends).
• Plant or weed the garden.
• Play doubles or singles tennis.
• Jog or run.
• Play picnic-style volleyball (you don’t keep points; just play for fun).
• Hike in the woods.
• Go waterskiing.
• Ride a bike.
• Try in-line skating.

If you like watching TV:

• Stretch during commercial breaks.
• See how many push-ups you can do during a commercial.
• Use a rowing machine.
• Do couch dips (triceps presses) or crunches while watching your favorite show.
• Ride a stationary bike during a half-hour show.
• Walk on a treadmill.
• Use a stationary ski machine.

If you like being with friends:

• Walk around a museum.
• Play pick-up basketball or volleyball with friends or neighbors.
• Enjoy a walk around the shopping mall.
• Walk around a public aquarium.
• Walk for a cause—breast cancer awareness, etc.
• Join a community or work sports team.
• Join a water aerobics class.
• Tread water as you talk to friends.
• Go fishing.
• Play Frisbee golf.

If you like to be alone:

• Work out to a video.
• Use cardio equipment, such as a treadmill, ski machine, rowing machine or stationary bike.
• Go swimming.
• Lift weights.
• Shoot hoops in the driveway.
• Take a solitary walk (in a safe, well-lit place).

If you enjoy listening to music:

• Dance to fun music.
• Vacuum or do other housework while you’re dancing.
• Take a ballroom dance class.
• Put on upbeat music, then use a treadmill, ski machine, rowing machine or stationary bike.
• Take an aerobics class.

If you enjoy peace and quiet:

• Practice deep-breathing techniques.
• Take a yoga class.
• Practice tai chi.
• Go canoeing or kayaking.
• Go row boating or paddle boating.
• Go snorkeling.
• Swim laps.

If you like playing with your kids or grandkids:

• Climb on playground equipment.
• Play hopscotch, tag, Frisbee or kickball.
• Skip around the backyard.
• Jump rope.
• Wash the car together.
• Walk around the soccer field while your children play.
• Make cleaning the house a game.

If you like exercising as a couple:

• Take a dance class.
• Go canoeing or kayaking.
• Take an “active” vacation, such as walking, hiking, biking or skiing.
• Go bird-watching.
• Jog or run together.
• Take long walks on weekends.

If you like to compete:

• Train for a walking, biking or running event.
• Find a tennis buddy and play a match—singles or doubles.
• Play a volleyball match.
• Join a bowling, football, softball or basketball league.
• Play a round of golf.

If you need direction when you exercise:

• Take a yoga, aerobics or other exercise class.
• Join a running group like First Strides for women.
• Take a guided bike trip.
• Run, walk or bike for charity.
• Hire a personal trainer – even if it’s just for one session.
• Take a guided hike.
• Join a community sports team.
• Join a medical fitness center.

If you're on a tight budget:

• Exercise to a videotape or DVD at home.
• Walk with a group of neighbors.
• Swim at a community pool.
• Create a home gym with affordable equipment.

If you get bored easily:

• Exercise in front of the TV.
• Find an exercise buddy.

If you don’t like to sweat:

• Practice yoga.
• Walk 10,000 steps a day, which adds up to five sweat-free miles. (You’ll find pedometers online and at sporting goods stores.)

If you’re short on time:

• Sneak in a five-minute walk around the block when you get the mail.
• Walk during your lunch hour.
• Walk to someone’s office to talk instead of e-mailing or calling them.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Walk to the cafeteria instead of eating at your desk.

Why Exercise Is So Important

Exercise—of some kind—is the name of the game if your goal is to:

• Control your weight.
• Regulate your blood sugar.
• Strengthen your heart and lungs.
• Lower your blood pressure.
• Boost “good” HDL cholesterol and lower “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Lower your stress and anxiety.
• Maintain your muscle tone.
• Boost your mood.
• Set a great example for your kids.
   

How Much Exercise Do You Need?

The beauty of exercise is that whatever type you choose doesn’t have to take up your whole day. “The American College of Sports Medicine recommends you get 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, most days of the week,” says exercise physiologist Jackie Svrcek of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

What does “moderate” exercise mean? “You should be able to carry on a conversation as you walk,” Svrcek says. “If you can’t walk and talk without feeling winded, you’re going too fast.”

If you think you’re too busy to make room for 30 minutes of activity, consider this: “There are 1,440 minutes in every day,” says Svrcek. “When you look at it that way, being physically active for just 30 minutes isn’t much.”

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