Is the Gym Really Necessary?

Is the Gym Really Necessary?

When we think about exercise, heading the gym probably comes to mind. That is because going to the gym is one of the most traditional or normal ways to exercise.

But is it necessary?

The short answer, no.

But do we need to exercise, yes!

By now, we should all be aware of the significant impact exercise can have on our short and long-term health. Exercise helps to prevent illness, disability and even death. So yes, exercise is very necessary.

But if you hate the idea of the gym, you don’t need to force yourself to go just for the sake of fitting into the traditional style of “exercise“.

What is exercise?

By definition, exercise is “activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness“.

If we look at this definition, exercise can mean many different things. It doesn’t need to include the gym.

It could mean going to a dance class, following a YouTube fitness video in front of your TV, learning Martial Arts or even finding a local bush-walking group to join.

See, it doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you are putting in physical effort that is challenging enough to get your heart pumping and your muscles working.

The most important thing is that you find something you actually enjoy and you will continue to repeat for years to come.

If you hate the gym, chances are it won’t be sustained for the next 20 years. If you find an activity you actually enjoy, it is likely to become a habit and something you continue for the rest of your life.

Finding something you intrinsically enjoy will bring joy and a sense of ownership, making it more likely for you to repeat the process again and again.

Some things to consider:

• Over time, this form of exercise needs to be made more challenging and difficult so your body can adapt to grow stronger and fitter.
• Try to include a mix of aerobic and resistance based movements so your entire body can benefit. This includes your heart, lungs, bones and muscles.
• Over time, see if you can increase your weekly exercise to over 150 minutes per week. That way, you are surpassing the World Health Organisation physical activity recommendations. This will place you in a good position to remain fit and healthy for years to come!
• If you aren’t sure, chat to an exercise professional to help get you started!