Physical activity - choosing the one for you: Part 1

Once you’ve decided to build physical activity into your daily life, the next most important decision is the activity you choose. Look for a type of physical activity that you’re likely to enjoy. You are more likely to abandon a healthy lifestyle change if your chosen activity doesn’t suit your preferences or lifestyle.

See your doctor for advice, support and a medical check-up before you start any new physical activity program. This is particularly important if you are over 40 years, overweight, haven’t exercised in a long time or suffer from a chronic medical condition.

Pre-exercise screening is used to identify people with medical conditions that may put them at a higher risk of a experiencing a health problem during physical activity. It is a filter or ‘safety net’ to help decide if the potential benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for you.

What’s your style?

Do you like things organised or prefer a more casual approach? Do you like to do things on your own or to be part of a group-based activity?

Some issues you may like to consider include:

• Exercising alone – this is a good option if your busy schedule prevents you from planning a regular time to be active every day. However, unless you are self-motivated, you may find yourself putting off physical activity and never doing it. 

• Training buddy – you may be more likely to commit to a physical activity routine if you are doing it with someone else, because you don’t want to let your training buddy down. 

• Team sports and group physical activity programs – organised activities offer the chance to widen your social circle. However, training sessions and regular matches can also demand a lot of your time. 

• Mixing it up – some people like to combine two or three options. For example, you may choose to exercise alone on two or three days of the week, and train with a buddy or participate in a team sport on a couple of the other days. Variety helps prevent boredom.