What is ONE exercise I could do daily if I can only pick one?
Rannoch3908
Posts: 177 Member
If you could pick one exercise that works everything (stretch, strength, full body) to do each day for maximum benefits what would it be?
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Replies
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I. I don't think there is ONE thing that would do all of that. I guess I'd pick rowing, but. That's a big ask for ONE exercise.2
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A challenging vinyasa flow yoga.
Stretches, of course, and strength is required to hold or deepen poses. My flow class yesterday had 20+ chatarunga push-ups in the first 45 minutes. If you add the extra push-up to the sequence, that’s 40, plus several arm balances. That’s a fairly standard number for that particular instructor. And it does work you from head to toe, since you incorporate a side stretch as well as one legged balances, and standing on tip toes.
If, however, I learned I could do one and one only exercise, walking would probably be top if my list. Anyone can do it at pretty any level of fitness, whether you can only make it to the end of the driveway or cover five miles.6 -
I wouldn't do it that way, honestly. I'd pick some exercise that was pretty good at some of whatever my goals were, but more importantly relatively fun to me. If things aren't enjoyable, or at least kind of tolerable, I don't do them. Any exercise I do, however pathetic in theoretical terms, is 100% more effective than one I skip.
If you must, then, yeah, vinyasa, or some of the martial arts, maybe. Or Crossfit, if you're willing to do gym/classes? There might be videos, dunno, not my thing.
I'm a rabid rower, but rowing is uni-directional (all lower push, upper pull), technical (won't get the benefits without good instruction, because it's not intuitive). It stretches some things, tightens others. It's an option, I guess.
Why do you want this? It seems odd to me.1 -
What do you mean by "one exercise"? If I say go the gym or to a fitness class or to Crossfit, is that one exercise, or do you mean something like "burpees"?
If the latter I don't think it exists.1 -
Wu Shu1
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Swimming laps.0
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I would say Pilates, if you are going by the idea that one workout=one exercise.3
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The clean & jerk..
You deadlift the bar to your waist, using back & legs.. then curl it and flip it onto your shoulders, using your arms, then press it overhead, using your shoulders, and a bit of the chest..all the while holding your core steady, so you work lower back & abs.
This may only work hamstrings, calves and chest tangentially, but you work the most body parts significantly, and all of the body to some degree.
Olympic lifts are better, but people find exercises which work one body part to ne easier.. lift weight from here to there.. instead of an exercise which is several parts, and which has to be learned to get proper form.. but once you get the hang of this, it's an incredibly effective exercise. It would cut down on the number of sets you have to do, and the time you spend in the gym.
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Might recommend Turkish Get-Ups with a kettlebell, but can't do it myself.1
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Sex4
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springlering62 wrote: »A challenging vinyasa flow yoga.
Stretches, of course, and strength is required to hold or deepen poses. My flow class yesterday had 20+ chatarunga push-ups in the first 45 minutes. If you add the extra push-up to the sequence, that’s 40, plus several arm balances. That’s a fairly standard number for that particular instructor. And it does work you from head to toe, since you incorporate a side stretch as well as one legged balances, and standing on tip toes.
If, however, I learned I could do one and one only exercise, walking would probably be top if my list. Anyone can do it at pretty any level of fitness, whether you can only make it to the end of the driveway or cover five miles.
Cosigning on both challenging yoga styles like vinyasa to achieve the actual goal in the OP and for walking being more practical.
You'll note springlering62 mentions "instructor" - I'd highly discourage anyone trying to learn challenging yoga on their own without an in-person yoga instructor.
If you have access to a pool, swimming is another good whole body exercise, but of course is not weight-bearing.
I'd get bored out of my mind if I only did one type of exercise ever. Different type of exercise have different benefits, and the variety keeps things interesting.2 -
Run or swim. I do both these on alternate days and love each one.1
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Pilates2
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Count me down for running 🏃🏾1
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Jumping Jacks!1
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Rannoch3908 wrote: »If you could pick one exercise that works everything (stretch, strength, full body) to do each day for maximum benefits what would it be?
Nothing really if you're talking about a specific exercise alone in a vacuum. But something like martial arts would be good as various components of fitness are needed for execution...but it's not a stand alone exercise. So I guess there needs to be some clarification on that point...but one stand alone exercise isn't going to cover all the bases...it's not possible.1 -
If there was just ONE EXERCISE that did all of that, then there WOULDN'T be such a resistance to actually do exercise by most of the population.
But I will say that cross country skiing with uphill climbs has been the MOST challenging thing I've ever done and I hurt everywhere after doing it even with all the continous exercise I've done over the years.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Clean and jerk is a pretty solid choice.
If you're looking for just body weight, squats may be your best option.
As far as a cardio based exercise/workout, rowing is probably the best, but also requires expensive equipment. Swimming can be a good workout, but obviously requires a pool. Jogging is probably your least expensive option here.0 -
springlering62 wrote: »
Thanks.. 🙏 Going with what I dig.. I used to do it when I was in my early 20s and with a little bit of effort I am doing what I did over 25 years ago. Went for a nice 5 mile jog today..4 -
The only regular excerise I currently do is row 10k meters/day, 5 days a week. This translates into 1 hour of exercise and about 520 cals burned each day.
I still own an expensive spin bike plus a lot of weight lifting equipment and cross fit exercise gear that I hardly use any more.
I just row instead because IMO there isn't any single form of exercise that is more effective and can be performed more easily/conveniently in the privacy of your home anytime you chose, 24/7.1 -
Run or swim. I do both these on alternate days and love each one.1
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I do hot mat Pilates at my yoga studio, but tbh, the classes lost any challenge months ago. My favorite Pilates instructor left and opened up her own studio, within walking distance. She was very challenging, even for mat classes, and she’s got towers and everything at her new studio. I just asked hubs if he had any objection if I take a few of her classes.
Exercise is becoming expensive , with multiple gym and studio memberships, but it’s not like we’re traveling in retirement as we’d planned, and it’s an investment in excellent mobility for when we can travel, right?
Just call me GOAT Rationalizer.2 -
I've been doing it for a few years and like it.2 -
I don’t think I could only do one exercise. I’d get bored.
If you’re asking for general discussion, then I’d say walking.
If you’re asking because you really only want to do one exercise, then you need to select something that you enjoy.0 -
The one I'd never give up is weight lifting but it depends on your goals. Mine are retain muscle and bone density so resistance exercise is key.
Rowing (machine) is second. It seems to draw on more body parts than most others and I do want the best bang for my exercise buck.1 -
What the reason to stick to one only exercise? You cutting yourself short from the very beginning from all the imaginable world of millions types of exercises. Human needs everything : strength, indurance, cardiohealth, flexibility, balance, coordination, proprio in space, reaction and so on... You d better think about how to combine as many as possible exercises in most convinient and efficient way.0
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Turkish Get Up.0
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I would do a 20 or 30 minute HIIT (High intensity interval training) workout daily. You can find great classes or free videos on youtube. There have been several past threads with recommendations. (or start a new thread to ask for some).0
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