Summary
Choose a physical activity or exercise that you enjoy so you're more likely to stick with it. You may choose to walk, run, swim or cycle, use home fitness equipment or work out to an exercise DVD. You might prefer company and get involved in team sports or join a gym.
Congratulations! You’ve decided to build physical activity into your daily life. The next step is to choose the right kind of activity for you. The most important thing to remember is to choose an activity that you find fun. Look for a type of physical activity that you’re likely to enjoy. Do you prefer to spend time indoors or outdoors? Alone or with people? 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 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. Ensure you read through the adult pre-exercise self-screening tool before you embark on a physical activity or exercise program.
Identify your style of physical activity
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:
Physical activity – decide on your health goals
While any type of physical activity is good for you, different physical activities offer different results. Deciding your health goals will steer you towards the right intensity of activity for you.
For example, weight-bearing activities such as walking, running, weight training or cycling are good choices for weight management because they help burn kilojoules.
Tips for choosing a physical activity
Try to choose an activity you enjoy and that suits your lifestyle. Suggestions include:
Considering different physical activities
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the following activities to help you decide which may be best for you.
Cycling
Things to consider include:
Online videos or DVDs
Things to consider include:
Gym membership
Things to consider include:
Home fitness equipment
Things to consider include:
Running
Things to consider include:
Swimming
Things to consider include:
Team sports
Things to consider include:
Walking
Things to consider include:
Strength training – free weights
Strength training includes training with free weights, body weight training, chair exercises and rubber resistance. Things to consider include:
Strength training – machines
Things to consider include:
Further information
The Better Health Channel has an extensive range of fact sheets on various sports and physical activities. Browse through these topics to learn more about the pros and cons of each form of exercise.
Where to get help
Things to remember
You might also be interested in:
- Aerobics - preventing injury.
- Arthritis and exercise.
- Asthma and exercise.
- Australian rules football - preventing injury.
- Basketball - health benefits.
- Canoeing and kayaking - health benefits.
- Cricket - preventing injury.
- Cycling - health benefits.
- Dance - health benefits.
- Dog walking - the health benefits.
- Epilepsy and exercise.
- Exercise - everyday activities.
- Exercise intensity.
- Exercise programs.
- Exercise safety.
- Fishing - preventing injury.
- Gardening for health - starting out.
- Golf - health benefits.
- Golf - preventing injury.
- Lawn bowls - health benefits.
- Martial arts - preventing injury.
- Netball - preventing injury.
- Orienteering - preventing injury.
- Physical activity - choosing a provider.
- Physical activity - how to get started.
- Physical activity - it's important.
- Physical activity - men.
- Physical activity - overcoming the barriers.
- Physical activity - setting yourself goals.
- Physical activity - staying motivated.
- Physical activity - women.
- Pilates and yoga - health benefits.
- Pregnancy and exercise.
- Resistance training - health benefits.
- Rowing - preventing injury.
- Rugby codes - health benefits.
- Running and jogging - health benefits.
- Soccer - preventing injury.
- Squash - preventing injury.
- Surfing - preventing injury.
- Swimming - preventing injury.
- Tennis - preventing injury.
- Touch football - preventing injury.
- Vision loss - sport.
- Walking for good health.
- Water polo - preventing injury.
- Weight and muscle gain.
- Windsurfing - preventing injury.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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Last reviewed: June 2015
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
Choose a physical activity or exercise that you enjoy so you're more likely to stick with it. You may choose to walk, run, swim or cycle, use home fitness equipment or work out to an exercise DVD. You might prefer company and get involved in team sports or join a gym.
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
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