How many different workout routines, techniques, and concepts do you think you’ve heard in your lifetime? There are so many different answers when it comes to getting in shape and building your fitness. So often we chase the  latest trends in health because we think it will bring us the outcome we want; within these health trends there are two groups: the ones that work and the ones that don’t. The ones that work have proven results while the ones that don’t have disappointed customers who regret buying their product in the first place. I’m talking about gimmicks like Miracle Muscle, Mike Chang’s Six Pack Shortcuts, and the Ab Belt.

When it comes to today’s fitness industry nothing frustrates me more than the massive amount of programs who say they can help me! The process of having to sift through several programs, techniques and concepts in order to fit my personal needs is not only difficult, but tiresome. Why isn’t there one answer, or at least a few similar ones, that will help me stay fit?

I continued to ask this question tirelessly as I sought out different programs and workout routine; I asked these perplexing questions because I didn’t truly understand fitness and the way staying healthy worked. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon an interesting on a particular night a few years ago that I began to gain revelation towards my answer. It was an article comparing and contrasting aerobic (long distance running type of stuff) and anaerobic (short, but intense workouts) exercise. The article was making the argument for anaerobic exercise and why it is conducive to an individual’s long term health as opposed to performing long distance exercises (running, biking, etc). It’s a slightly goofy article, but check it out here.

After reading this article I began to think about all the friends I knew to be efficient and fanatic runners. I also began to consider the friends I knew who went about doing Crossfit and Olympic weightlifting. One may not have as much muscle mass as the other, but both athletes had fantastic overall measurements regarding their health (BMI, heart rate, and fat percentage). They also all felt good about themselves, were confident, and loved their method of exercise.

So here’s the secret that’s going to help you pick a workout program, technique, and concept in ten seconds: