If there is one thing everybody universally agrees on it is that exercise is good for you. Irrespective of your age or your goals, getting some amount of exercise is good for everyone unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing so.

Exercise brings with it a host of benefits not just for your body but also for your mind. Exercising keeps you active, keeps lifestyle diseases at bay and also acts as an excellent mood lifter.

However, the most important decision you need to make before you choose an exercise program is finding one that fits your requirements. It is important to consider a whole lot of factors before choosing a program and it is not just about “what you feel like doing!”

In an age where almost everything from aqua aerobics to vinyasa yoga is so accessible to us, how do we choose the right exercise program?

Here are a few factors that you must consider before choosing the right program for you:

1. Goals

The first and foremost thing to ask yourself is “What are my goals?”  Depending on whether your goal is fat-loss, general fitness or improving your stamina – pick a program that works for you. For instance, yoga works best for those who want to improve both their physical and mental health while cardio with some weight training is best for those looking for fat loss.

 

2. Prior Medical History

Getting a go-ahead from your doctor is non-negotiable. Understand if you have any medical limitations or prior injuries that might prevent you from doing a specific form of exercise and take it into consideration before choosing.

 

 

3. Make reasonable commitments

Be honest with yourself about how much time you can commit to an exercise program – once you do this, you can pick something that works for your schedule so that you are not tempted to skip class later on account of not having enough time!

 

4. Motivation Levels

Some people are self-motivated to give any exercise program their best whereas other people need to be pushed. In case you are one of those people who need more external motivation, go for a workout that involves a workout buddy or a trainer who can push you!

 

5. Include Variety

Most people who choose to exercise lose motivation soon because exercise starts to get monotonous. If you are someone like that, choose a program that includes variety so that you look forward to exercising!

 

6. Current Fitness Levels

It is depending on how fit you are that you should pick the program for you – in case you are not very active or fit and you pick something that is too intense, there is a good chance that you might give up very soon. Make sure you pick something you can handle so that you feel motivated to keep at it.