How can you incorporate diverse exercises into your routine. What are the benefits of different types of physical activities. How to stay motivated and achieve your fitness goals.

Understanding Aerobic Activity and Its Benefits

Aerobic activity plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and fitness. But what exactly is aerobic activity, and why is it so important? Aerobic exercises are those that elevate your heart rate and sustain it for an extended period. This increased heart rate leads to improved oxygen delivery to your heart and muscles, resulting in numerous health benefits over time.

The advantages of regular aerobic activity include:

• Enhanced heart health
• Improved muscle strength and endurance
• Boosted mood and self-esteem
• Increased energy levels
• Lowered blood pressure
• Reduced cholesterol levels
• Better blood sugar control
• Decreased body fat
• Reduced anxiety and depression
• Diminished fatigue

Given these significant benefits, incorporating aerobic activities into your fitness routine is essential for optimal health and well-being.

Exploring Moderate and Vigorous Intensity Activities

Health experts recommend engaging in regular moderate-intensity and/or vigorous-intensity activities to achieve optimal fitness. But how do you distinguish between moderate and vigorous activities, and which ones should you choose? Let’s explore a variety of options for both intensity levels.

Moderate Intensity Activities

Moderate intensity activities are those that raise your heart rate and breathing rate but still allow you to carry on a conversation. Some examples include:

• Brisk walking
• Light to moderate calisthenics
• Low-impact aerobic dancing
• Jogging on a small trampoline
• Light weightlifting
• Water aerobics
• Kayaking or canoeing
• Fishing and hunting
• Playing with a Frisbee
• Downhill skiing
• Housework (sweeping, vacuuming, mopping)
• Gardening (mowing, raking)

Vigorous Intensity Activities

Vigorous intensity activities significantly increase your heart rate and breathing, making it difficult to carry on a conversation. These activities include:

• Jogging or running
• Heavy calisthenics (push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks)
• High-impact aerobic dancing
• Jumping rope
• Using a stair-climber or skiing machine
• Stationary bicycling with vigorous effort
• Swimming laps with fast, vigorous effort
• Competitive sports (rugby, field hockey, soccer)
• Hiking with a backpack
• Mountain biking
• Ice skating quickly (more than 15 kph)
• Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing

Many moderate activities can be transformed into vigorous ones by increasing speed or intensity. This flexibility allows you to tailor your workout to your fitness level and goals.

Diversifying Your Fitness Program for Motivation and Results

A varied fitness program is key to maintaining motivation and achieving optimal results. How can you add variety to your routine? Consider these strategies:

1. Vary the activity: If walking becomes monotonous, try swimming or an aerobics class.
2. Change the location: Explore new routes for walking or biking, or switch up your exercise space at home.
3. Adjust the timing: Experiment with different times of day and durations for your workouts.

By implementing these variations, you can keep your fitness routine fresh and engaging, increasing the likelihood of long-term adherence to your exercise program.

Incorporating Physical Activity into Your Workday

For those with sedentary jobs, finding ways to incorporate movement throughout the day is crucial. How can you add physical activity to your work routine? Try these strategies:

• Make your commute active by parking farther away or getting off public transport a few stops early.
• Opt for stairs instead of elevators, even if just for a few floors.
• Suggest walking meetings with colleagues.
• Take the long route to common areas like the coffee machine or restroom.
• Walk to coworkers’ desks instead of emailing or calling.
• Use breaks for quick 15-minute walks.

These small changes can significantly increase your daily physical activity, contributing to better overall health and energy levels throughout the workday.

Exploring Coaching and Teaching Opportunities in Fitness

If you’re looking to reignite your passion for a sport or activity, consider taking on a coaching or teaching role. This approach can provide a fresh perspective and renewed interest. Here are some ways to get involved:

• Volunteer as a coach for youth sports leagues.
• Pursue certification as a fitness instructor.
• Lead community cycling groups to promote bicycle safety.
• Organize and guide walking groups in your area.

By sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with others, you not only contribute to your community but also reinvigorate your own fitness journey.

Harnessing the Power of Competition in Your Fitness Journey

Competition can be a powerful motivator in your fitness routine. Why consider incorporating competitive elements into your exercise regimen? Here are some compelling reasons:

• It provides specific, measurable goals to work towards, such as completing a 5k or 10k race.
• Preparing for new events or courses can reignite excitement and challenge in your routine.
• Involvement in event planning or organization offers opportunities for friendship and camaraderie with like-minded individuals.

Whether you’re competing against others or simply challenging yourself, the element of competition can add a new dimension to your fitness journey and keep you engaged in the long term.

Unlocking the Benefits of Cross-Training

Cross-training, which involves combining various activities to engage different muscle groups, offers numerous advantages for your fitness routine. Why should you consider incorporating cross-training into your exercise program?

• It prevents boredom by introducing variety into your workouts.
• Reduces the risk of injury by distributing stress across different muscle groups and joints.
• Improves overall fitness by developing multiple aspects of physical health (e.g., strength, flexibility, endurance).
• Enhances performance in your primary sport or activity through complementary training.
• Provides a more balanced approach to fitness, addressing potential weaknesses or imbalances.

By integrating cross-training into your routine, you can achieve a more well-rounded fitness profile and maintain enthusiasm for your exercise program.

Tailoring Your Fitness Routine to Your Lifestyle and Goals

Creating a fitness routine that aligns with your lifestyle and personal goals is crucial for long-term success. How can you develop a program that works for you? Consider these factors:

• Time availability: Determine how much time you can realistically dedicate to exercise each week.
• Personal preferences: Choose activities you enjoy to increase adherence to your routine.
• Fitness level: Start with activities appropriate for your current fitness level and gradually increase intensity.
• Health considerations: Consult with a healthcare professional if you have any medical concerns or conditions.
• Specific goals: Tailor your routine to support your objectives, whether they’re weight loss, muscle gain, or improved endurance.

By carefully considering these factors, you can create a fitness routine that not only meets your needs but also fits seamlessly into your lifestyle, increasing the likelihood of long-term success.

Leveraging Technology for Fitness Tracking and Motivation

In today’s digital age, technology can play a significant role in supporting your fitness journey. How can you use technology to enhance your workout routine and stay motivated? Consider these options:

• Fitness trackers: Monitor your daily activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns.
• Smartphone apps: Access workout plans, track progress, and set reminders.
• Online communities: Connect with like-minded individuals for support and motivation.
• Virtual classes: Participate in guided workouts from the comfort of your home.
• Smart equipment: Use connected devices for more detailed tracking and personalized workouts.

By harnessing the power of technology, you can gain valuable insights into your fitness progress, stay accountable, and maintain motivation throughout your journey.

Nutrition and Hydration: Fueling Your Fitness Endeavors

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential components of any successful fitness program. How can you ensure you’re fueling your body effectively for optimal performance and recovery? Consider these key points:

• Balanced diet: Consume a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats to support energy levels and muscle recovery.
• Pre-workout nutrition: Eat a light meal or snack 1-3 hours before exercise to provide energy without causing discomfort.
• Post-workout nutrition: Consume a combination of protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes after exercise to support muscle recovery and glycogen replenishment.
• Hydration: Drink water before, during, and after exercise to maintain proper hydration levels.
• Electrolyte balance: Consider electrolyte-rich beverages for intense or prolonged exercise sessions.

By paying attention to your nutrition and hydration, you can maximize the benefits of your fitness routine and support your overall health and well-being.

Recovery and Rest: Essential Components of a Balanced Fitness Routine

While regular exercise is crucial for fitness, recovery and rest are equally important for optimal results. Why should you prioritize recovery in your fitness program? Consider these reasons:

• Muscle repair: Rest allows your muscles to repair and grow stronger after exercise.
• Injury prevention: Adequate recovery reduces the risk of overuse injuries.
• Performance improvement: Proper rest can lead to better performance in subsequent workouts.
• Mental rejuvenation: Recovery time helps prevent burnout and maintains motivation.
• Hormonal balance: Rest periods allow your body to regulate stress hormones and maintain overall health.

Incorporate rest days, proper sleep, and active recovery techniques like gentle stretching or yoga into your routine to ensure a balanced approach to fitness.

Overcoming Common Fitness Challenges and Plateaus

Even the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts encounter challenges and plateaus in their journey. How can you overcome these obstacles and continue making progress? Consider these strategies:

• Reassess your goals: Ensure your current routine aligns with your evolving fitness objectives.
• Increase intensity: Gradually amp up the challenge of your workouts to break through plateaus.
• Try new activities: Introduce novel exercises or sports to challenge your body in different ways.
• Seek professional guidance: Consult a fitness trainer or coach for personalized advice and program adjustments.
• Address lifestyle factors: Evaluate your sleep, stress levels, and nutrition to identify potential areas for improvement.
• Be patient and consistent: Remember that progress takes time, and consistency is key to long-term success.

By approaching challenges with a proactive mindset and willingness to adapt, you can overcome obstacles and continue making progress in your fitness journey.

Building a Supportive Fitness Community

Creating a supportive network can significantly enhance your fitness journey. How can you build a community that encourages and motivates you? Consider these approaches:

• Join group fitness classes: Participate in classes at local gyms or community centers to meet like-minded individuals.
• Engage in team sports: Join recreational leagues or clubs for your favorite sports.
• Utilize social media: Connect with fitness enthusiasts online through platforms dedicated to health and wellness.
• Find a workout buddy: Partner with a friend or family member to hold each other accountable.
• Attend fitness events: Participate in local races, workshops, or wellness fairs to expand your network.
• Volunteer: Offer your time at fitness-related charities or events to connect with others who share your passion.

By surrounding yourself with supportive individuals who share your fitness goals, you can create a positive environment that fosters growth, motivation, and long-term success in your fitness journey.

Exercise and Physical Activity Ideas

Topic Contents

• Topic Overview
• Related Information
• References
• Credits

Topic Overview

Aerobic activity raises your heart rate and keeps it up for a while. This increases the amount of oxygen delivered to your heart and muscles. Over time, this kind of activity benefits your heart, your muscles, your mood and self-esteem, and your amount of energy. It can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body fat, anxiety and depression, and fatigue.

Finding the right activity

Experts say to do regular moderate activity and/or vigorous-intensity activity.

Here are some ideas for both types of activities. You can boost many of the moderate activities in the left column to a vigorous level by doing them faster or harder. ^{footnote 1}

Adding variety to a fitness program is a good way to keep motivated.

• Vary the activity. If you are getting bored with walking, try swimming or an aerobics class.
• Vary the place. Try a new route for walking or biking or even a different room for your exercises or stretching. By having several options, you can pick one that suits your mood or schedule.
• Vary the time. Do your exercises at different times and for different amounts of time. If you become bored with your noon walk, try exercising in the early morning or after work or school. Instead of doing one 45-minute session, do three 15-minute sessions.

Activity at the office

If your job includes lots of sitting, try adding these short bursts of activity to your day:

• Use your commute to do some extra walking. Park several blocks away, or get off the bus a few stops early.
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator, at least for a few floors.
• Suggest holding meetings with colleagues during a walk inside or outside the building.
• Go the extra distance when possible: Get your coffee on another floor (use the stairs) or use the washroom that’s the farthest from your office.
• If you need to speak to a co-worker, walk to that person’s office or station rather than using e-mail or the phone.
• Use your morning and afternoon breaks to take quick 15-minute walks.

Coaching and teaching

If you are bored with a sport or activity that you once enjoyed, coaching or giving instruction can renew your interest.

• Youth leagues for organized sports are often seeking good coaches.
• Take classes to become a certified fitness leader.
• If you cycle, offer to lead a group of schoolchildren on a bike ride to teach bicycle safety.
• Offer to lead a walking group.

Competition

Competition can be a good motivator because:

• It gives you a specific and measurable goal to work toward, such as walking or running a 5 km or 10 km race.
• Learning the details of a new course or event and then preparing for it can restore the excitement and challenge that’s gone from more familiar competitions.

Helping to plan or organize a competitive event instead of entering it can provide friendship and fun with others interested in the same activity.

Cross-training

Cross-training is the combination of various activities to spread the work among various muscle groups. Cross-training has some important advantages:

• It prevents boredom by providing variety. It can help you break out of a slump.
• It helps you maintain balance among your various muscle groups. For instance, runners who have developed powerful leg muscles might cross-train to strengthen the upper body, which does not get a good workout from running.
• It reduces the risk of injuries because the same muscles are not being stressed in the same way during every workout.

Some exercise machines, such as elliptical cross-trainers, can help you cross-train. Or you can use exercise machines that give variety to your program by working muscle groups that aren’t heavily used in your primary activity.

References

Citations

1. Ainsworth BE, et al. (2011). Compendium of Physical Activities Tracking Guide. Columbia, SC: Prevention Research Center, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina. Available online: http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/tools/compendium.htm.

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The 10 Most Controversial Topics in Exercise Science in 2023

Want to get attention and engagement on social media? Start an argument about a controversial topic in exercise science.

“Direct core work is dumb. Do squats and deadlifts and the core takes care of itself.”

“Traditional cardio is a waste of time. Just lift faster.”

“Your clients don’t need corrective exercises. Strength training itself is corrective.”

For every follower you lose, you’re likely to gain five more.

Only problem: Few things in exercise science are truly black and white. If it’s worth discussing, it’s worth going into more detail than you can fit on a bumper sticker.

That’s certainly true of the 10 controversial, polarizing, and hotly debated topics I tackle here:

1. Flexibility vs. mobility
2. Corrective exercise vs. “shut up and lift”
3. Compound vs. isolation exercises
4. Bilateral vs. unilateral lower-body training
5. Moderate reps vs. higher and lower reps
6. Full-body lifts vs. direct core work
7. Core stability vs. core flexion and/or rotation
8. Traditional cardio vs. metabolic resistance training
9. Interval training vs. steady-state cardio
10. Advanced monitoring techniques vs. the feel method

1. Flexibility vs. mobility

Our clients don’t need more passive flexibility, the movement gurus tell us. Too much of it might even increase injury risk . What we should focus on instead is mobility—active control over their range of motion.

Are the gurus right?

Kind of. Active range of motion is a physical quality worth pursuing. And too much passive flexibility can predispose that joint to injury.

But a lot of clients enjoy stretching. Combined with conscious breathing, they like how it feels at the end of a workout as they transition back into daily life. Some folks believe it speeds up recovery, too.

Verdict: Incorporate a client-specific mix of active mobility and passive flexibility training based on their personal preferences and the demands of their target activities.

You don’t have to choose between mobility and flexibility work for your clients. Use whatever combination best fits their needs and preferences.

2. Corrective exercise vs. “shut up and lift”

Speaking of movement gurus:

They’ve convinced a generation of personal trainers to use cookie-cutter assessments to identify “movement dysfunctions” and prescribe “corrective exercises” to address them.

They meant well, but as so often happens in the fitness industry, they got ahead of themselves. Not only are there no universally agreed-on standards for movement, but we also now know the way people move doesn’t actually predict injury .

What some call “dysfunctional” may simply fall into the normal range of variability in movement.

On the flip side, some trainers don’t do any sort of assessment, and advocate putting clients under the bar right away—even if it’s their first time in the weight room. This can be problematic if the trainer doesn’t help the client find their optimal exercise setups, or has them use a load they’re not prepared to handle.

Verdict: Haphazardly subjecting a client to heavy lifting can put them at risk. Use exercise-specific assessments to find your client’s best starting point for exercises like squats and deadlifts. Just don’t claim you’re identifying and correcting movement dysfunctions.

3. Compound vs. isolation exercise

Multijoint movements—squats, hinges, presses, rows, lunges—should form the foundation of your training programs. That’s not in any way controversial.

But compound movements aren’t the only choice for every muscle group.

Take the hamstrings and adductors, for instance. These are oft-injured muscles, especially in athletic populations.

While they do get worked in multijoint movements, research has shown that isolating them with Nordic hamstring curls and Copenhagen adductor raises can reduce injuries. As a bonus, clients can also get a nice pump where they aren’t used to having one.

Verdict: Prioritize compound lifts, of course. But there’s no reason to exclude single-joint exercises. Biceps curls and triceps extensions are classic examples of giving clients what they want, while the aforementioned movements for the hamstrings and adductors give some of them what they need.

4. Bilateral vs. unilateral lower-body training

Unilateral lower-body exercises offer similar strength and hypertrophy benefits as their bilateral counterparts , along with two distinct advantages:

• Lower compressive forces on the spine
• Higher stability requirement

And you’ll probably increase the overall training volume if you work one leg at a time, which could improve your client’s conditioning.

But traditional bilateral squats and deadlifts aren’t pointless, as some coaches have argued.

I can think of three reasons to use them:

• For clients who aspire to compete in powerlifting, they’re a must.
• For contact-sport athletes, training ought to prepare them for the high loads they’ll face on the field.
• Some clients just prefer them, either because they like the feeling of a heavy barbell in their hands or on their back, or because they want to measure their strength against well-known benchmarks.

Verdict: A mix of unilateral and bilateral lower body training works well for most clients. One simple, time-saving strategy is to include a bilateral knee-dominant exercise and a unilateral hip-dominant exercise in one session, then flip-flop for the next session.

For example, you might do a bilateral squat and single-leg Romanian deadlift in the first session, and in the next one do a bilateral deadlift combined with a rear-foot-elevated split squat.

Most clients will get the best results with a combination of bilateral and unilateral lower-body exercises.

5. Moderate reps vs. higher and lower reps

Classic training wisdom tells us that six to 12 reps is the optimal range for hypertrophy. Any lower and you’re primarily building strength. Any higher and you’re increasing endurance.

Those guidelines work well enough as shorthand, but they don’t tell the whole story. The latest research shows that any rep range can produce hypertrophy, as long as the volume is high enough and the sets are taken close enough to failure .

That said, the moderate rep range remains a convenient sweet spot for most clients.

Lower-rep training requires more recovery between sets, which either lengthens your training sessions or reduces the amount of work you can do in the allotted time. Meanwhile, high-rep sets taken to failure aren’t anyone’s idea of a fun way to train, and clients may object to the discomfort they induce.

Verdict: If a client’s primary goal is hypertrophy, six to 12 reps will always be the most convenient range. But if a client wants to maximize their muscular potential, some evidence suggests you should use a variety of rep ranges .

6. Full-body lifts vs. direct core work

Coaches who believe direct core work is unnecessary have a point: Full-body barbell lifts do, in fact, elicit high levels of activation in the trunk muscles .

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever train the core directly.

For untrained clients, or those returning from an injury or illness, the midsection is often a weak link. They’ll do well with a few sets of direct core work toward the end of the session. On the opposite end of the spectrum, for clients with exceptionally strong core muscles, direct work is the best way to provide a significant training stimulus.

And lots of people in between those extremes simply enjoy feeling the burn in their abs, as with other “mirror muscles.”

Verdict: To supplement full-body lifts, select a handful of exercises that work the core directly and address the client’s needs and goals.

Even your strongest clients can benefit from direct core training.

7. Core stability vs. core flexion and/or rotation

On one side, you’ll find biomechanics experts (along with internet “experts”) who argue that the purpose of the core is to prevent motion, not create it . They advocate for anti-movement core exercises like dead bugs, bird dogs, and side planks.

Yet anecdotally, we hear about elite athletes who regularly do hundreds or even thousands of crunches and not only perform well but remain free of back pain.

The truth is, high-volume lumbar flexion and rotation exercises may be a bad idea for a client who’s deconditioned or has a history of back pain. But that’s hardly unique to core training. Any exercise can be counterproductive if we prescribe too much, too soon.

For clients who enjoy them and are prepared for them, it’s perfectly safe to include a few sets of sit-ups, crunches, or Russian twists in their program. Heck, they may even provide some functional benefits along with their aesthetic value .

Verdict: Train the core statically and dynamically for clients who can tolerate it. Just be smart about it. Build volume slowly and cautiously, as you would with any other part of your training program.

8. Traditional cardio vs. metabolic resistance training

Metabolic resistance training, in theory, allows you to increase cardiovascular fitness while also building muscle. Which, understandably, makes some coaches wonder why they would ever want their clients to do traditional cardio.

If you’ve read the previous items, you can guess the number-one reason: Some clients simply enjoy walking, running, swimming, or cycling in between personal training sessions, and there’s no reason to talk them out of it.

You also need to be cautious about pushing clients into metabolic resistance training before they’re ready for it. That’s especially true of CrossFit-type workouts, where you do heavy, technical lifts for time in a fatigued state. For clients who aren’t well prepared, the risk far outweighs any potential reward .

Verdict: Metabolic resistance training, with appropriate exercise selection, can be both fun and beneficial for clients who’re ready for it.

But don’t forget that traditional cardio also offers health and conditioning benefits. If a client wants to do it, in or out of the gym, include it in their program.

Metabolic resistance training can produce fast improvements in body composition and aerobic fitness. But traditional cardio is still beneficial for health and recovery from more intense workouts.

This argument is similar to the previous one, and even predates it by a decade or two. The only difference is that we’re talking about two different ways to do more or less the same thing—increase endurance and burn fat—without resistance training thrown into the mix.

Proponents of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are quick to boast about the superior calorie-burning efficiency of their methods, compared to steady-state cardio .

They’re right, if we’re comparing genuine HIIT to someone pedaling at a snail’s pace on a stationary bike while watching Netflix, which probably isn’t providing much of a training effect. At most, it potentially promotes recovery from intense training .

But there’s an easy fix: Encourage the client to bump up the intensity slightly.

By holding their heart rate in the neighborhood of 110 to 130 beats per minute for 20 to 30 minutes, they’ll see steady increases in cardiovascular fitness. And unlike HIIT, which offers quick increases in VO2 max, the client won’t quickly reach a plateau .

Verdict: Interval training and steady-state cardio both burn calories and increase cardiovascular fitness. Ideally, clients will do some of both, but if they prefer one over the other, encourage them to increase the intensity and/or duration in a progressive way.

And from time to time, remind them that the fat-burning effect of any type of training is highly overrated.

10. Advanced monitoring techniques vs. the feel method

Activity-tracker technology allows us to monitor every step, heartbeat, minute of sleep, and calorie consumed or expended.

But just because our clients can track fancy readiness metrics like heart-rate variability, does that mean they should? Or should we ditch the expensive gadgets and just base training decisions on how clients feel?

For elite athletes, high-tech monitoring strategies can provide a competitive edge. But for the average gymgoer, these devices may paradoxically provide too much data.

Verdict: A simple device that counts steps and measures heart rate is a happy medium for most of the general population.

Final thoughts

Never forego an entire training methodology simply because one expert, in an effort to get attention, insists on its uselessness. Avoid such polarizing stances on fitness topics. When you keep an open mind, you’ll find that the middle of the road is the most defensible position on most issues.

By exposing your clients to a full range of training stimuli, you improve their health and fitness in multiple ways—and give them more reasons to look forward to your training sessions.

References

  J. L. Nuzzo, “The case for retiring flexibility as a major component of physical fitness,” Sports Medicine, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 853–870, 2020.

  R. Bahr, “Why screening tests to predict injury do not work, and probably never will: A critical review,” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 50, pp. 776–780, 2016.

  N. Van Dyk, F. P. Behan, and R. Whiteley, “Including the Nordic hamstring exercise in injury prevention programs halves the rate of hamstring injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 8,459 athletes,” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 53, no. 21, pp. 1362–1370, 2019.

  J. Harøy et al., “The Adductor Strengthening Program prevents groin problems among male football players: A cluster-randomized controlled trial,” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 145–152, 2019.

  M. Jones, J. Ambegaonkar, B. C. Nindl, J. A. Smith, and S. A. Headley, “Effects of unilateral and bilateral lower-body heavy resistance exercise on muscle activity and testosterone responses,” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 1094–1100, 2012.

  B. J. Schoenfeld, J. Grgic, D. Ogborn, and J. W. Krieger, “Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 31, no. 12. pp. 3508–3523, 2017.

  B. Schoenfeld and J. Grgic, “Evidence-based guidelines for resistance training volume to maximize muscle hypertrophy,” Strength and Conditioning Journal, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 107–112, 2018.

  N. Hamlyn, D. Behm, and W. Young, “Trunk muscle activation during dynamic weight-training exercises and isometric instability activities,” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 1108–1112, 2007.

  S. McGill, “Core training: Evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention,” Strength and Conditioning Journal, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 33–46, 2010.

  B. Contreras, B. Schoenfeld, N. Zealand, and G. F. Services, “To crunch or not to crunch: an evidence-based examination of spinal flexion exercises, their potential risks, and their applicability to program design,” Strength and Conditioning Journal, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 8–18, 2011.

  P. T. Hak, E. Hodzovic, and B. Hickey, “The nature and prevalence of injury during CrossFit training,” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Nov. 2013.

  M. Gibala and S. McGee, “Metabolic adaptations to short-term high-intensity interval training: a little pain for a lot of gain?,” Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 58–63, 2008.

  R. Ortiz, A. Sinclair Elder, C. Elder, and J. Dawes, “A systematic review on the effectiveness of active recovery interventions on athletic performance of professional-, collegiate-, and competitive-level adult athletes,” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 33, no. 8, pp. 2275–2287, 2019.

  S. Seiler and E. Tønnessen, “Intervals, thresholds, and long slow distance: the role of intensity and duration in endurance training,” Sportscience, vol. 13, pp. 32–53, 2009.

5 exercises that will teach you how to improvise in any situation

Life

Column

June 23

After practice, you will be able to talk as much as you like about the simplest subject and compose fascinating stories on any topic.

Galina Grigoryan

Public speaking and business presentation coach, expert in public speaking. Worked with Alfa-Bank, Sberbank, the Ministry of Economy, the Gila Petersil Speaker Bureau and ImpactHub.

You can listen to the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

The skill of improvisation will help you navigate in any situation and with any people. Especially if you’re speaking in front of an audience or need to fill an awkward pause.

These are the very moments when:

• “Vasya, say a toast, you are doing well.”
• “And Elena will tell us about this project.”
• “Vyacheslav, what do you think about this?”

And many other situations that are difficult to prepare for and when you need to quickly think of what to say. This article contains some useful exercises that will loosen your tongue.

Important: to feel the effect, implement them in your daily life, take advantage of the moment – when you are walking with a friend in the park, sitting in a cafe or waiting for something.

So let’s go!

1. The king speaks

This exercise is great for improving your ability to invent and speak as much as it takes to fill a pause.

You will need a partner. One person calls any word, while the second must begin to improvise on a given topic – to say everything that comes to mind. And so on until the first one claps his hands, stopping the second on the word and thus setting a new topic for improvisation. So you can play indefinitely. My advice is to talk for 2 minutes and then switch roles.

Some find this exercise very difficult. If a person is used to thinking in structures, classifications and schemes, then by the word “apple” he will speak something like this: “An apple is a fruit that grows, including in Russia. Apples are different: red, yellow, green. You can make charlotte, pies, compote, jam from them … Apples come in different varieties: ranetki, seasonal, gold … ”Probably, after this a person will come to a standstill – and not because he is not an expert on apples, but because he constantly listed.

Starting from classifications seems like an easy solution, but it only ends up getting you confused when you finish naming known items.

To prevent this from happening, there is a little trick: you need to improvise through associations. And spin the story: “Apples. With this word, every time I remember my beloved grandmother, to whom I went to the village in the summer. She cooked an amazing charlotte … ”With this approach, you can talk indefinitely, because through associations, remember how you picked apples in a neighbor’s garden, the compote that you cooked with your mother, and so on.

2. An hour’s story

A professional orator can be considered someone who can talk about the most ordinary subject for hours without ceasing.

Let’s take a marker as an example. What can we tell about it?

• Physical properties and characteristics (shape, color, material, etc.).
• Functions (as intended – to draw, not as intended – to use as a prop for tomatoes).
• Who will benefit from this item.
• Personal stories associated with the marker.
• The history of the marker (where it is produced, how it is produced, who invented it).
• Comparison with other similar items (with pen, pencil, marker).
• How does the marker affect the environment (how long does it take to decompose and what does it release).
• How does it affect animals (for example, if a dog licks a marker, what will happen to it?).
• Storage, shelf life, disposal.
• Which famous people use markers and for what purposes (for example, signing their books and posters).
• Price segment and so on.

We could invent almost indefinitely. And if we remove the word “marker”, we will see that all these points can be attributed to absolutely any subject.

You might object, “I don’t know all these marker facts and can’t tell you much.” But you don’t need to know everything. It is enough that such a list will help not to get lost in the event of a pause or technical hitch during a speech. You will be able to remember the information that flew out of your head and continue your report or presentation.

This exercise will help you understand that you will always find something to say on any topic, even for one minute.

You can modify the exercise: for example, imagine that you need not only to talk about the subject, but also to sell it. Or expand one of the points (say, “Functions”) and talk on this topic for 5 or 10 minutes – as far as knowledge is enough.

3. Story Master

The following two techniques are based on storytelling and can be transferred to public speaking.

First move: “suddenly”

You will need an assistant to practice. One person proposes to another an idea for a story, such as “a little dwarf who lives in a dungeon.” The second one starts thinking about where this dwarf could go and what to do, and composes until the partner says the word “suddenly”. Now the first participant needs to change the course of the tale and tell what could suddenly happen to the main character.

Why does it work? The word “suddenly” forces us to come up with something new, add plot twists, and so the story becomes more interesting.

This technique is great for training creativity and imagination. Having practiced in such a game, you will upgrade your storytelling skill.

Second technique: “by the way”

You take any text or start telling a well-known story from memory, for example, the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Your task is to add the word “by the way” from time to time: “Once upon a time there was Little Red Riding Hood. By the way, she had an incredibly beautiful dress and golden curls. Once her mother – by the way, she was a middle-aged woman with a sweet smile – told Riding Hood that she should take pies to her grandmother. By the way, these pies were unusual…”

As you can see, each time we added the word “by the way”, we got a more detailed description of the character or item. “By the way” stops us and forces us to implement more details. This technique will teach you to “color” your story if you notice that the listeners are not immersed in it enough.

Tip: Of course, you don’t have to say “by the way” out loud every time. If you say the word to yourself, it will simply remind you to add a descriptive element: “Once upon a time there was Little Red Riding Hood. She had an incredibly beautiful dress and golden curls.

4. Silent film

If you want to maximize your improvisation skills, be sure to try this exercise. All you need is a YouTube video.

Start any video, turn off the sound and start making up dialogues for the characters. If you choose a video of an advanced blogger, it will be more interesting, because he probably knows how to actively interact with the audience non-verbally, using facial expressions and gestures. Then you can turn on the sound and check how accurately you recognized the emotions and guessed what the person on the screen is talking about.

Of course, this exercise also works on any movie or cartoon clip. You can train anywhere: in the park, cafe, public transport. If you notice how people in the distance are discussing something animatedly, assume that they are talking to each other.

5. Theater of one actor

The improvisation skill is best developed in the theatre. I suggest trying a simplified version of one of the most popular exercises for actors.

For him, you also need a partner. One of you comes up with a role and situation for the other to act out. To develop the story, the first participant can take on the roles of other characters or throw new situations at the opponent.

Let’s take an example.

Participant 1 sets the role and situation: “The fashion stylist is late for the train.”

Participant 2 thinks about how this character could behave in such a situation: “Oh my God, how could I even agree to this adventure? I am the chief stylist of European fashion houses and now I have to go to some village! My manager has gone crazy…”

Participant 1 can join the story, for example, as a strict manager of this same stylist: “So, Nicolas, calm down. You know perfectly well that you need to engage in social activities. It’s good for your career.”

Participant 2: “But why should I dress up pigs for a rural beauty pageant? How could you even sign such a contract?!”

You can take the situation to the point of absurdity, and the most interesting thing is that you do not know where your opponent will turn the plot. Another variation of the exercise is to take turns imitating acquaintances and guessing who your partner is portraying.

The skill of improvisation develops only through practice. Train, do not be afraid to speak in front of the public and pump over your oratory skills. Good luck!

Read also 🧐

• 5 acting skills everyone can use0020
• Why it is important to develop communication skills

500 Russian language exercises: all topics and tasks for elementary school (Philip Alekseev)

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