Exercise & Fitness
How to love the exercises you hate
Here's how to change your relationship with the exercises you need but struggle with.
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Everyone has exercises they perform grudgingly or even avoid. "Even though the movements are beneficial, you hate them because they can be difficult or too challenging," says Vijay A. Daryanani, a certified personal trainer and a physical therapist with Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation. "However, by modifying the movements and adjusting your expectations, you can begin to enjoy the exercises you usually struggle with." Here's a look at three common exercises men often hate, why they need to do them, and how to learn to love them.
Squats
Squats activate all major leg muscles at once: the quads and hamstrings (thighs), gluteals (buttocks), and gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris (calves). "Squats can help you build and maintain a stronger lower body, which makes overall movement easier and safer and allows you to stay active and avoid injuries," says Daryanani.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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