Our Studio is filled with people who have been with us for almost 20 years, and those who are completely new to Rugby, Pilates, or Shape It Up.
Life changes, our bodies change and what we want from exercise changes too. The things we enjoyed ten years ago might not suit us now, while something we dismissed years ago might suddenly be exactly what we’re looking for.
So perhaps the secret isn’t finding the ‘best’ form of exercise, but finding an option that can keep changing with us.
Start with what you actually enjoy
Walking, swimming, Pilates, gardening, dancing, running, lifting weights, playing tennis… they all count.
We can spend so much time worrying about what we’re supposed to be doing that it’s easy to overlook the obvious: if you genuinely enjoy something, you’re far more likely to keep doing it.
The benefits of movement don’t come from finding the perfect workout and doing it for three weeks. They come from finding ways to keep movement in your life over months and years.
So if you’d choose a long walk with a friend over an hour in the gym every single time, perhaps that’s worth listening to.
Let your reason change
The reason you start something doesn’t have to be the reason you continue.
Perhaps you start walking because you want to become fitter, but eventually it’s the fresh air and headspace that keeps you going. You might start strength training because you’ve been told it’s important as you get older, then discover that you actually love feeling stronger.
We’ve seen the same thing with Pilates. Someone might arrive because their back hurts, but years later they’re still coming because it helps them walk further, travel or simply feel good in their body.
Paying attention to what you’re getting from your chosen activity is a great way to keep feeling benefits, once the goal you started with has been reached.
Don’t be afraid to change how you do it
Sticking with something doesn’t mean doing it in exactly the same way forever.
A runner might start including more strength work. A keen walker might shorten their distances for a while after an injury. Someone who has always exercised at high intensity might discover they now feel better with more recovery between sessions.
Our bodies aren’t static, so it doesn’t make much sense to expect our exercise to be.
Adapting isn’t giving up or going backwards. Often, it’s exactly what allows us to keep doing the things we love for longer.
And remember that enjoyment matters
Exercise can challenge you and still be something you enjoy. In fact, finding movement you look forward to, people you enjoy doing it with and an environment where you feel comfortable can be a very good reason to keep coming back.
There will always be another fitness trend, another piece of equipment or someone telling us what we should be doing.
But if you’ve found an option where you’re being safely challenged, supported and (most importantly) having FUN… that’s the best mix for sticking to something for years (and years!) to come
We are so glad that so many of our members have found an exercise routine that they enjoy, whilst progressing their strength and confidence, with us.
Fancy making Pilates part of your week? Check out New Member Intro Offer