By: Janet Fisk

Not scientifically reviewed by Dr. Eeks

With so much information about exercise online it can be very easy to feel as if we are all experts, or at least just a few clicks away from being one. However, this is not the case, and it can be very difficult to wade through the misinformation to find the truth about which types of exercise will work for us best. Read on to find out more. 

Check Your Sources

One of the best ways to avoid misinformation about exercise and the problems it can lead to is to always check that the info you are getting is coming from a reputable source. 

Yes, this involved some critical thinking, and often a little digging to find out about the research that has been done on your activity. Indeed, bear in mind that while a single scientific study on a type of exercise is better than nothing, the methods used to access this information and the sample size will also have an impact on how much it can be trusted. With this in mind, it’s best to look for extensive metastudies that compile data from a range of different research where possible. 

Be Wary of “Quick Fixes”

If it sounds too good to be true it probably is when it comes to the newest and latest forms of exercise. With that in mind, it’s much better to put your time and effort into activities that are well established and have plenty of scientific evidence to back them up. 

Indeed, as many forms of exercise can have a long-term impact on our joints, muscles, and skeletons, choosing one where this impact has been observed and tested is always best. The reason being you can then go in with your eyes open and know about the potential risks as well as the potential benefits of exercising in that manner. 

Get Professional Help When Needed

It seems that these days we all feel we can be experts on just about every topic thanks to the Internet. However, it is this very issue that can make us even more susceptible to false information and information overload. 

One solution to explore is to look to those that are experts in exercise and fitness to guide us. However, that doesn’t mean you go to your favorite social media platform and look up those making content on the area of exercise you are interested in. Instead, you need to look for people with real qualifications in this area such as advanced certifications from institutions like American Sports and Fitness Association, or even degrees in physical education. This is because you can then be sure that they have a good standard of education in the field of exercise on which they are basing their opinions. 

Understand that Everyone is Different:

Last, of all, it’s crucial to remember that while one type of exercise might work well for someone, it won’t necessarily have the same impact on your very unique body and system. 

For example, current research shows that those suffering from PCOS tend to respond much better to low-intensity resistance training rather than high-intensity cardio. To that end, remember the way your body responds may not be guaranteed.