by chibo

Created on: February 19, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

In the U.S. staying fit is becoming trendy, which is quite profitable for companies such as Lifetime Fitness and the up and coming Anytime Fitness. However, staying fit for life already can be acheived anytime for anyone, for free.

Perhaps the greatest foundational workout available is yoga. Many people, males in particular, scoff at the thought of doing yoga, but yoga can be excruciatingly intense. It builds muscular strength and endurance, while also increasing flexibility. Though a yoga mat can run up to $30, a mat isn't even necessary, but it surely is beneficial. Nearly all the health-clubs and gyms offer classes, but more often than not a class becomes counter-productive to the individual. Yoga practice is meant to be quite personal. A good teacher will help dramatically in the beginning, but their value is extremely limited in a group-class setting. Only you know which postures feel good, bring on the burn or push you past your limits.

There are books and websites galore on the subject, and many of these offer insights beyond just the physical practice. Yoga, afterall, also has profound benefits in terms of mental health and spiritual well-being. Some people respond better to the interactive relationship of teacher-student, but many others will find the idea of an effective and autonomous workout to be thoroughly gratifying. Most of the postures are relatively easy to figure out just from seeing a picture online and a brief description. From there, each person will begin to develop tiny variations based on their body's demands that create a better, more personalized workout. Chances are you already know someone who practices, and they can offer insights too, if any questions arise that need answering.

Always remember though, to listen to your body. If something is uncomfortable or painful, STOP! Pain is not the body's way of telling you to keep going. Always be in your body and listen to it closely, that's where the true benefits can be found.

The other hugely underrated workout is Tai Chi Chuan. This practice also faces scrutiny from non-practitioners because of the relaxed and easy appearance. Do not be fooled. Tai Chi, like yoga, can be incredibly intense and has benefits too numerous to mention. Tai Chi is particularly preferable due to the fact that it is based of 5,000 years of Chinese medicine, or qigong.

The relaxed appearance of Tai Chi is somewhat of a facade. By lowering the stances in the Tai Chi forms, a strenuous and sweat-inducing workout can

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