The Best Form Of Exercise Is:
As fitness coaches—or anyone working in a related field like nutrition—it’s easy to forget one crucial thing: most people don’t care about the intricacies of fitness theory.
Scroll through social media and you’ll find arguments breaking out in the comments over things like 4 sets of 8 vs. 8 sets of 4 or standing curls vs. seated curls. These debates often center on marginal gains that only matter to seasoned athletes or longtime gym-goers.
But most people aren’t debating rep schemes—they’re just struggling to get moving at all.
When I was a CrossFit coach, this mindset was especially strong. There was a common belief that if you weren’t doing CrossFit, you were wasting your time. Why bother exercising if it wasn’t "the best" kind of training?
But take a step back and look at something like Zumba. It’s easy to see the eye-rolls and dismissals: That’s not real exercise. Why aren’t they lifting weights?
Zumba
Zumba is movement and any movement is also exercise
Here’s the truth: the most sustainable form of fitness is the one someone will actually do.
Sure, we’d love to see Zumba fans incorporate some resistance training. But that’s irrelevant if they never step foot in a weight room. People are human. Some will never touch a barbell—and that’s okay.
As coaches, trainers, or even just fitness enthusiasts, we have an opportunity (and arguably a responsibility) to encourage any movement. Because any exercise is infinitely better than no exercise.
If someone finds joy in Bungee Fitness, Cardio Drumming, or Jazzercise—amazing. They’re moving, sweating, and showing up consistently. That’s a win.
And let’s not forget the non-physical benefits of these classes, especially the social ones. In a world where loneliness is a growing health issue, these group workouts offer community, connection, and belonging—things just as important as the workout itself.
Let’s stop shaming and start celebrating. Maybe someone who starts with Jazzercise eventually gains the confidence to try a weightlifting class. Or maybe they never do—but they’ve built a lifestyle that includes movement, community, and joy.
At the end of the day, the best exercise is the one someone will actually do. And that’s something worth championing.
