Exercise your fitness options

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Sometimes it’s just nice to play.

A personal training client asked me recently about structure.

She felt she was lacking it and was worried she was being too random with her fitness.

“Is it fun?”

“Yes.”

“Then, play.”

We are coming out of winter and if you’ve spent most of that time inside, it might be time to get outside and find something different.

You’ll shake the cobwebs off your muscles and out of your brain.

You’ll use muscles you forgot you had and, hopefully, you’ll have a good time doing it (as long as you can still move the next day).

Trail and outdoor running are different than treadmill running.

Road and mountain biking are different than spinning inside.

Hiking is different than walking the indoor track.

That being said, take it easy.

That’s where using muscles you forgot you had comes into the picture and can sideline you if you aren’t mindful.

It’s like any new activity — start easy and work up.

Sometimes, it can feel amazing at the time and not so much later on.

If it’s new, think ahead and plan to be out consistently rather than blowing it all in one day and having to take time off to heal.

Inside stuff just works better when you don’t have much time or equipment, so don’t think you have to give up the familiar all together, especially if you thrive on your existing routine.

The lovely part about having seasons is changing the routine to suit the weather, keeping in mind it’s easier to adapt to small changes each week.

What is it that you’ve always wanted to try once you build a fitness base?

Put some thought into it.

Make a plan, so you’ll be successful and give it a try.

If we keep thinking we’ll try it someday, someday becomes weeks, months and years, and we’re left not having tried the things that may have added infinite joy to our lives.

Or, maybe just some mild entertainment . . . even that’s worth the effort. Plus, it adds to the story arsenal.

“When I was your age, I rode my bike to Princeton and back in 17 hours!”

“Sure, sure, whatever you say.”

What did I say about starting easy and working up?

Or, maybe quality versus quantity?

Do as I say — not as I do.

Maybe your new thing is learning to mountain bike with your kid or dragon boating with a friend.

Whatever it is, do some research.

Find out what you need to do to be prepared and take a leap.

You’re always allowed to change your mind or try something else. That’s the beauty of being a grownup.

Just as long as you don’t drop everything and give up activity altogether because you haven’t found your perfect fit.

There are so many ways to be active and so many different intensities.

Even though exercise can seem like work some of the time, no matter who you are, life’s too short not to find the fun in it.

Shawn Wenger is a BCRPA-registered personal trainer and weight-training and group-fitness instructor. She runs Fitness For Mortals. E-mail wenger@telus.net for information.