Exercise for young adults

This stage of life can be one of the ‘trickiest’ times to keep physical activity/exercise part of your weekly routine. High school is behind us and there is a growing sense of freedom – being able to choose what I will do for myself. Most people in this stage have stopped participation in team sport so if they are going to exercise it tends to be in an individual capacity (albeit with a friend). Despite the freedoms of this stage of life, keeping exercise on the agenda is really important as it sets the positive habits that will carry us through our adult life as we take on more competing responsibilities.

Key exercise tips for young adults

Going to the gym, walking, running, cycling, doing social team sport are typical ways that young adults may exercise. Having a friend to do this with can really help to maintain consistency and provide a great social outlet at the same time.

Young adults are generally of good health and have finished their physical developent so can push themselves when exercising. Incorporating a good mix of cardiovascular exercise and some strength training are key to building/maintain physical condition.

This is the age where ‘sitting’ starts to become a bigger and bigger part of life…..being aware of good posture and breaking up long bouts of sitting with movement are ideal.

Another aspect of incorporating exercise at this age is effective time management. ‘Locking in’ fixed times to exercise throughout your week is a great habit to build into your life to make sure it actually happens.

Exercise because it feels good and is good for you…..not for a before and after photo

Speaking of social media……while there can be some great ideas, many ‘experts’ on the web are only ‘experts’ by virtue of their number of ‘likes’ rather than their qualifications or experience.

 

-Kristin Lewis