Which types of exercise are best?

The best type of exercise is the one that relates to your goal.  An exercise program that incorporates cardiovascular, resistance and flexibility will aid you in achieving your goal.  Start off by acquiring a personal trainer to help you "map out" your goal.

There is no one type of exercise that is best for health. To achieve maximal fitness and health it’s important to regularly engage in a combination of cardiovascular exercise (aerobics) resistance training (strength training), flexibility training, and core stabilization training. Cardiovascular exercise is important for maintaining the health of your heart, lungs, and blood vessels, resistance training is important for maintaining the strength and size of your muscles and bones. Flexibility training is important to maintain a healthy and proper range of motion of all your joints to prevent injuries. Core training helps keep your spine and pelvis stable to provide you a solid base of support from which to move. To achieve optimal health and fitness try and work at least one of the qualities each day of the week. Health experts recommend that people engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity spread out most days of the week. 

When it comes to improving your physical fitness, you should do whatever types of exercise you enjoy. Remember to discuss your current fitness level, health history, and fitness goals with your physician before beginning an exercise program. Once you are ready to begin (or to change your current exercise program), a variety of the three main types of exercise -cardiovascular (or aerobic) exercise, strength training, and stretching - is best because different types of exercise serve different functions for your body. 

Each time you exercise, it is important to start slowly by warming up with an activity like walking or biking for 5 to 10 minutes, then increasing the pace. A cooling down period of slower activity lasting 5 to 10 minutes afterward is equally important.