#you KNOW their ass has 2 pieces of cardio equipment and absolutely nothing else

[clowndensation]

obsessed with the fitness center at my hotel that created a wall of mirrors through which to watch tv

[behardonyourself]

The Best Form of Exercise

When it comes to exercise and fitness, people typically have an absolute mindset. I have been asked these and similar questions hundreds of times over the years: Should I do weights or cardio? Is diet or training more important?

Of course, it should seemingly be common sense that a lifestyle that includes a combination of resistance training, cardiovascular exercise and intelligent nutritional choices doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Still, many people love to qualify these questions with “I know, but if you had to pick one...”

Well, I don’t have to pick one and I believe the premise is just another case of people wanting to use planning as an excuse not to get off of their asses.

With that said, the best exercise is the one you will actually do. When I owned my gym many years ago, I was hesitant to take on clients that had several “barriers”. Lived far away, wanted to train immediately after work BUT had to battle traffic to be there on time, etc. I spent time interviewing clients so they would convince me why I should train THEM.

It wasn’t a case of not believing in WHY they were training and wanting to change. It was just that I know the process of becoming unbelievable doesn’t happen overnight, which is frustrating to most. Also, the shit is hard and requires levels of discipline and dedication that most people have never given anything for more than a few hours or days at a time.

So, what form of exercise offers the lowest barriers of entry? Doesn’t require driving across town? Anyone can do it? Doesn’t require expensive equipment?

Yep, you guessed it: RUNNING.

I know the excuses , the shit hurts your knees. Doctor recommended you not to do it. You have never been good at it. Blah. Blah. Wah. Wah.

All of this is nothing but bullshit. I say it often: I do not always love running. Usually I am pissed that I am doing it. But when I couldn’t run more than 60 seconds straight 8 months ago, I I realized just how pathetic that I had become.

For running, you need 2 things: Shoes (although barefoot running is a real thing) and a fucking iron mind. I much prefer weight lifting (for most requires travel time or space/equipment and a level of knowledge on wtf to do. That isn’t the premise of this piece. Low barrier of entry is important to alleviate excuses.

Swimming is awesome. But you need a pool. Cycling has become far and away my favorite exercise. I am typing this FROM my Peloton. But again, I paid over $2500 for the bike, warranty, delivery, and equipment. I love my road bike, and those are amazing. But it is pouring rain right now, and those things are not free.

Humans are born to run. If our ancestors did not become at leadt moderately proficient at it, we would not be here today. And if you eat sensibly, the excess weight will fall off.

Can’t run more than a few steps? Alternate walk/run to regain your breath. But keep it up, and soon, you will be going just a little bit further and further. Like anything else, it takes baby steps. I was there. Dying in seconds. Now a marathon? No biggie. Let’s fucking do it.

Given the average situation, running is the optimal choice for exercise. Actually, the first choice is to stop being a pussy and to get off of your ass. When the alarm goes off on day 2 and day 3 and your legs are killing you? Make that same choice, roll your ass out of bed, and just go. Don’t think about it, don’t search for bullshit excuses, just get out if that fucking bed and go.

Or just admit that you are weak and have completely given up and will die a disgusting fat ass, like I nearly did.