Some exercise moves are easy, others are tough but manageable. But there are always a few that we truly abhor. Some are so reviled that they have their own merch with phrases like “Burpees Hate You Too.” If you’re not the “no pain, no gain” type, is it OK to just skip the burpee, or any of your other least favorite moves?
“There are some movements that some people are never going to want to do, and that’s OK. But most people underestimate themselves when it comes to fitness,” said Ashantis Jones, a mental health counselor and personal trainer in Chicago.
Trying something hard and realizing you actually can do it, Ms. Jones added, is a confidence boost with benefits that stretch beyond the gym. In a 2022 study, scientists found that adults that they classified as unhappy reported higher life satisfaction after trying (often physical) activities outside their comfort zone.
“No one likes to do things they aren’t good at,” said Crystal Fasano, a Brooklyn-based personal trainer and Pilates instructor. But “change happens when we get a little uncomfortable,” she said. The secret: Every exercise can be modified, and any version of an exercise counts.
Here are some of the most valuable least-loved exercises, according to a sampling of experts, and how to make them a little more appealing.
Planks
“All my clients hate planks,” Ms. Jones said. That may be because they haven’t learned to do them correctly or they’re trying an overly advanced version. Sadly, planks are one of the most effective ways to build core strength, which supports posture, balance and overall stability. If you skip them, you really are missing out.