What's the best exercise for health?

[Huff1epuff]

I'm need to start doing some exercise but I don't know what I should be doing. I'm 30 and don't need to lose any weight. I walk between 5-10k steps a day.

I've tried running but really don't enjoy it and I know I won't be able to keep it up in winter as I'm too pathetic!

What's the best/most effective exercise for general health?

Hiking and swimming are good all rounders really. I do both for general upkeep of fitness and my mental health

a mix of cardio, i.e. getting out of breath and sweating and strength training is best for health.
running is great for cardio, but so is cycling, rowing, playing ball games.
walking isn't usually enough to get the heart rate up, unless you are really really unfit.

Ice skating. I hate walking, running, gym, swimming. In fact any kind of exercise, but will skate solidly for 2 hours 3 times a week.

I agree it's the one you'll actually do. Generally, we would all benefit from cardio (for heart and lungs health), strength training (for bones, joint and back health) and flexibility (for muscles and joints health). Some exercises combine these things - like swimming or climbing. Personally, I like running, weights and climbing.

Something you enjoy (indoors/ outdoors, solo/ group, casual/ target based) and is accessible (location, cost)

In terms of performance, no one activity is perfect. Some cover a variety such as swimming, but the low impact benefit means that you're also not getting the high impact benefit of weight bearing exercise on bone density.
Mixing it up is best for spreading the benefits and good for keeping the interest up.

I do running, walking, yoga and circuit type classes. Normally I'll throw in the occasional swim as a recovery exercise, but that's not practical at present.
I like the focus of running with races to aim for and the social side of parkrun, but it's better to mix it up. I also enjoy the scenery and fit more of it into my time than I do on a walk. I use walking as a recovery exercise (plus I do a lot of functional walking anyway) The yoga is great for my flexibility/ mobility and the circuit classes work my core and rest of my body and is more balanced than running.

I loathe swimming - all the getting changed, getting wet, getting dry, such a faff. Running is boring. Yoga makes me go to sleep, and I can do that at home for free...

However, I LOVE weight training (at the gym, to get all the benefits of proper equipment) and throw in a bit of functional fitness (fan bike and rowing machine for cardio, slam ball squats, stretching and balance) while I'm there. I also play rugby - not so competitively any more, as I'm getting on a bit, but I enjoy training and the odd game for the camaraderie!

I also love hiking and hill-walking, but I find that more enjoyable the fitter I am - a 25km walk when you're blowing out your arse is a bit miserable.

There are SO many options. I would highly recommend a combination of:

Weightlifting - either in a gym, or at the very least body weight exercises at home such as squats, lunges, press ups, dips. You can improvise with tins/bottles of milk if you want to add extra resistance, or buy a weighted vest.

Cardio - running, cycling, rowing, trampolining, dancing, Zumba etc loads of options

Mobility/flexibility - yoga, Pilates

But pp are right, whatever you do, you need to enjoy it! If you’re more social, taking classes might be a good idea. If you’re more of an introvert, you might prefer just putting your headphones on and lifting some weights.

And never underestimate the need for stretching and mobility work.

As an alternative to getting a private trainer a really good book is one called "Delavier's Women's Strength Training Anatomy Workouts":-

www.amazon.co.uk/Delaviers-Strength-Training-Anatomy-Workouts/dp/1450466036/?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

It's got lots of advice and plenty of examples of how to start doing your own training routines.

There are also lots of diagrams and photos showing the correct techniques as well.

@FluffyBlueJumper

The best exercise is the one you really like, because you will stick to it.

Over the years I tries walking, running, cycling, exercise bikes and other (often expensive) machines... It always felt like a chore.

Then in my early 30s I discovered fitness training and never looked back. I am nearly 40 and the fittest, healthiest I have ever been, because I work out every day and actually look forward to it. I have never set foot in a gym, I do everything at home.

If pressed for an answer to your question I would say that strength training makes the biggest difference.

What is "fitness training"? Is all exercise not fitness training?!

@hopeishere sorry, English is not my mother tongue. How would you call a mix of weightlifting (with free weights), Hiit, kettlebell, bodyweight cardio etc.?

Thanks so much everyone for your responses.

What do I enjoy? Well nothing really. I walk because we have a dog but couldn't really do much more as my toddler won't sit in the pram for too long. Even if she could, I've never really enjoyed walking to be honest.

I've just signed up to a yoga class as that's something I have always wanted to get into. @VioletCharlotte I loved your comment about making friends and how it's been good for your mental health. Definitely worth a try, and it will be nice to get out the house in the evenings.

Lots of suggestions for swimming. I think I'd love it if I had my own pool but the thought of walking there (or paying for parking) getting all wet, using the communal changing rooms and showers, well it all just puts me off!

@Worldgonecrazy Functional fitness sounds good actually. I've had a look at Caroline Girvan's YouTube and I've decided to start her 5 day beginners challenge tomorrow. I like that you don't need any equipment and they're only 30 minutes. I imagine it can get quite pricey buying dumbells and kettlebells? Silly question, but what kind of weight do you think I should be aiming to lift?

Would I still need to do cardio? I'm a bit confused as I don't really see why hiit for example (is this similar to functional fitness?) wouldn't be classed as cardio?

I would start low, maybe get 2kg and 3kg weights. If it starts to feel too easy just slow the movement so the muscle remains under tension. It does get expensive to buy heavier weights.

Hiit is cardio, but in short bursts, and strengths the cardio system and burns calories. It’s a quicker way of getting a good cardio workout in a short time. You only need to suffer it once or twice a week to get the benefits.

Good luck with Caroline. She is inspiring. Remember to focus on form when learning movement to avoid injury.