Weight for It: Finding the Right Exercise for You

Introduction     

I spent my childhood hopping from sport to sport: swim, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, basketball, softball, gymnastics, dance, cross country, and more! I felt like I would never find a form of exercise I actually looked forward to; it became more about fitting in than staying fit. I took this mindset into college, avoiding club sports and only opting for the occasional run. My mother is a physical therapist and avid runner, so I knew the importance of movement and running became the de facto “best” exercise for me. Of course, running only once or twice every month is not consistent enough exercise. The problem was that I just did not enjoy running enough. Then COVID hit.

Lifting Myself Up

My fitness levels completely crashed during the start of the pandemic, as many people also experienced. Gyms were closed or open under specific, limited requirements. At George Mason University, my alma mater, the gym required reservations during the Fall 2020- Spring 2021 school year. When my school’s gym fully opened again, I decided to go lift weights with some new friends I met at my dorm. Now, I had previously only attempted to do well-known dumbbell exercises. This time, I began to develop a routine with my friend. I would attend the gym at least three times a week, switching between working out different areas of my body. This allowed me variety in my workouts and I found that I actually looked forward to going to the gym. It felt rewarding to reach a new PR, especially on the squat rack. To this day, I still have the same regular weight-lifting routine, just with higher weights. Sometimes I add in running and other forms of cardio when I feel up to it. After all, variety is the spice of life!

Conclusion

All of this to say that there is a form of exercise for everyone. It could be pickleball, Pilates, boccia, or skiing. The important part is that you keep moving!

Warm regards,

Brenna