What factors should I consider when creating an exercise program?

What do you want to achieve and how much time do you want to put into it? What do you like to do and are you inclined to exercise in a group or on your own? You will want to challenge your cardiovascular system (heart & lungs) as well as your skeletal system (muscle & bones).

The FITTE principle is a great acronym to keep in mind when designing any type of exercise program, whether it is cardio, strength, and/or flexibility. The letters stand for the following:

• Frequency: the number of activity sessions each week
• Intensity: how high of a demand the activity will be
• Time: how long the activity session will be
• Type: the mode of activity (walking, dancing, lifting weights, yoga, etc.)
• Enjoyment: it is certainly best to plan for activities that you enjoy!

Many of these factors (such as frequency and intensity) will be dependent upon your individual goals, and may change over periods of time.