Exercise is healthy and important for body and soul. However, it should also be fun and not just a means to an end. Therefore, it makes sense to think about which type of sport suits you and what you want to achieve with the exercise.
What is your personal reason for exercising more?
There are many reasons for choosing a sport. It's best to first think about what your goal is. Do you want to build muscle, control your weight, get fit or more physically flexible or simply socialise with people? For strength training, we recommend weight lifting, aerobics or martial arts such as karate, taekwondo and kunf-fu.
All sports that raise the pulse and burn fat are suitable for losing weight. Jogging and aerobics are best for weight control. If you are a beginner or very overweight, you should start slowly with the exercises and gradually increase them to get your body used to the increased movement. It is often advisable for beginners to start with swimming and walking.
If you want to get fit, you need to find an endurance sport. These include swimming, jogging, aerobics and ball sports. If the emphasis is more on making the limbs more flexible, yoga is a good choice.
In principle, all team sports and all activities in clubs and gyms are suitable for those who are looking to socialise.
Beginners and overweight people
If you haven't done any sport for years and/or are overweight, you need to start gradually. Changing too quickly and too drastically is not good for the heart and can put too much strain on the joints. It is best to start with long, brisk walks, swimming and light cycling. Only when your condition starts to build up should you increase the amount of exercise you do until you have reached your desired goal.
Sport at home
Many people avoid sports activities because they are ashamed of their fellow human beings. If you prefer to do sport alone at home, you can buy fitness equipment (treadmill, weights or exercise bike) or do yoga and aerobics under supervision. Sports games on consoles (Wii, Kinect, etc.), such as dance games, fitness games and tennis, are also good for loners. However, it is easier to cheat yourself if no one is watching.
Sport with joint problems and older people
Anyone who has limited mobility due to joint or other complaints should definitely look for a sport that exerts little pressure on the susceptible areas. Gentle exercise includes walking, hiking, swimming, light cycling, tai chi, golf, yoga and dancing. For older people looking for a sport, it is important to differentiate between how fit you were in the past. If you have never done any sport in your life, you naturally need to start gently as you get older. Someone who has only stopped exercising for a few years will find it easier to regain their fitness and, once this has been rebuilt through gentle exercise, can return to previous activities. To be on the safe side, you should speak to your GP beforehand.
