Is there really a BEST form of exercise?

There are lots of supposed gurus out there claiming their services or products are the end all be all when it comes to fitness. Most of them are trying to make money off their claims so sometimes you have to be careful where you spend your hard earned dollars. 

The Internet is filled - over filled - with so much information on fitness who knows where to begin!

Some articles say running will get you thin and is the fastest way to weight loss. Other articles have you thinking running is the anti-Christ. Others boast that is it Kettlebells or boxing or Insanity or HIIT; even both Zuzka and BR say they will get you into the best shape of your life. 

Science itself these days has a lot to say about the benefits of weight training. 

There is a whole new craze of Barre fitness today and yoga is going nowhere - it is still a steadily growing trend. 

So what it the best way to stay in shape?!?!?

Well, not that I have the answer for sure, but here is my 2 cents. 

I think the best form of exercise, and the best way to stay in shape is: 

1. An exercise program that you enjoy, 2. does not cause you injury, and 

3. that gives you results. 

I have a friend who swears by running. It gives her great legs, says it helps her stay thin and she loves the outdoors. It WORKS for her. She enjoys it. Twice a week she takes the time to stretch and do some upper body work. She doesn't enjoy this nearly as much, but this helps her get the overall results she wants. 

I have another friend who used to be a runner, but it caused her injury after injury so she needed to give it up. It no longer worked for her. 

I work with someone who plays basketball and swims. He enjoys it and will never set foot in a weight room. It keeps him in shape enough for his needs. 

It is all very individual and depends on your goals and your own desires. 

Perhaps all you have time for is 15 min a day. Maybe you're a yogi at heart or a die hard gym rat. 

I enjoy weights and yoga, but loathe cardio. I'll never see results from cardio because I won't stick to it. 

I do think we all need to add in SOME exercises in here and there beyond our comfort level to stay in BETTER shape than we are, but for the most part if we hate, we are not going to do it. 

I hate squats. But I do them. At least twice a week. I grin and bear it. I think they make me stronger, and probably change my body more than any other exercise because I suck at them so much. The better I get at them, the better my body gets. But it's 20 minutes tops out of my week. The rest of the time I'm doing my handstands or deadlifts etc and I like those exercises. 

And I want a more muscular body. I also want to get stronger. I pulled a 200 lb deadlift off the floor the other day. I want to do that for 3 reps. I want to hold a handstand for 30 seconds. I have goals that cardio and 15 minutes a day won't get me. I'm lucky enough that my lifestyle allows me that right now. It might not always and I'd have to adjust my goals. 

What do you do to stay in shape?