The Bad idea was Rafe's. The bad photoshop job is mine.

Long time readers of the site have probably picked up on the fact that Rafe and I have, at times, some very different views on what the “best” way to exercise is. As a general rule, Rafe is a big proponent of short, intense workouts designed to get the maximum benefit in the least amount of time. I, on the other hand, generally prefer the “slow and steady wins the race” approach. Instead of focusing on constantly trying to push my boundaries I find it’s more important to consistently get activity in at a level that is comfortable for me. Rafe has frequently characterized these mixed messages as our “good cop/bad cop” dichotomy. Rafe is the “bad cop” who will push you to levels that make you want to puke, while I’m the “good cop” that encourages you to be gentle with yourself. Both of us are trying to get the same thing out of you, but we do it in two radically different ways.

So who is right?

Well it turns out…we both are.

I read an article earlier today over at CNN.com that addressed this exact issue. It turns out that scientists and fitness experts can’t really make up their minds on what the “best” exercise routine is, either. Studies have shown that if your workouts are short but intense that you get the same amount of benefit as doing a longer, less strenuous workout. If you’re pressed for time due to a busy lifestyle and in relatively good shape to begin with this is, obviously, an advantage.

The other “obvious” factor in this is that short and intense workouts hurt. I’m not necessarily saying that you’re going to permanently damage yourself, but if you’re older or not in good shape, attempting to run a six minute mile can cause you a great deal of discomfort. That might be a good thing for that particular workout, but above and beyond the risk of potentially causing yourself real injury there’s the psychological factor to consider. If you know your workout is going to make you want to puke you’re not necessarily going to look forward to doing it. Unless you are the type of person who likes puking, that is.

This is my big stumbling block when I look at interval training. Despite the huge strides I’ve made in regards to my weight and level of fitness I’m still 50 pounds or so overweight, and I carried hundreds of extra pounds on my body for years. There are parts of me that just don’t work as well as a result, and any time I really push myself I feel it acutely. I’m terrified of causing an injury that is going to sideline my exercise routine completely, so I tend to gravitate more toward the “moderate, longer” workouts to make sure I still have the ability to work out regularly.

Rafe, on the other hand, is in pretty damn good shape at this point. His weight and body fat levels are pretty much near the “perfect” range. He’s built up a lot of muscle mass to get there, and as a general rule he’s more physically protected from causing himself real injury by pushing the envelope. Instead of trying to get healthy, he’s trying to get healthier. He’s trying to improve on what’s already pretty solid to begin with. Moderate levels of exercise just aren’t going to cut it for him.

The bottom line here is that regardless of how you exercise it’s important that you find the mix that works for you. Don’t let someone tell you what the “best” way to exercise is. What’s “best” for you could be a disaster for another, and trying to peg everyone into a “one size fits all” exercise program is going to leave a lot of people in the dust. What is important, and what I think we can all agree on, is that everyone should try to find some way to fit exercise into their lives. Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist at the American Council on Exercise, summed it up nicely:

We can argue about vigorous, moderate intensity and time. The fact is if you don’t do anything, you’re going to significantly increase risks for disease and other things that can take years off your life.

Find what works with you and stick with it. If you find that your progress is slowing down change things up a bit, but if you’re happy with your results and seeing improvement don’t ever let someone tell you that you’re doing it wrong.