Trends in style are always changing—whether it's the length of hemlines, the cut of a suit, makeup, hairstyles, shoes, food, music, diets, or even exercise routines. What's "in" comes and goes, but if you wait long enough, it always circles back around.

Right now, the fitness and diet world is in a “low-carb/high-intensity” phase. The Paleo diet is hugely popular—essentially a modern version of the Atkins diet that was all the rage in the 1970s and then again in the 1990s. It’s been given a fresh name and tweaked just enough to seem new, different, and better.

The same is true for high-intensity exercise programs and gyms. They’re basically revamped versions of old-fashioned calisthenics. Movements like squat thrusts, pull-ups, push-ups, and even straight-leg sit-ups are staples in today’s workouts. The equipment might look a little different—kettlebells, resistance bands, fancy sandbags, and heavy ropes have replaced basic dumbbells—but the workout principles remain unchanged.

I’m not criticizing these trends; they can be effective. But just because they’re popular now doesn’t mean they are the only path to fitness or weight control. There are many ways to achieve those goals. If these particular methods don’t appeal to you, that’s completely fine—there are other options.

Still not convinced? Let’s compare two well-known TV shows: NBC’s The Biggest Loser and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. On The Biggest Loser, the focus is weight loss. You see intense, grueling workouts, often with trainers pushing their clients to tears. The result? Many contestants lose a lot of weight and learn how to exercise with high intensity.

Now look at Dancing with the Stars. Here, the goal is to master dance moves, not lose weight. The contestants practice dancing for hours, but there are no dumbbells, kettlebell swings, or tire flips involved. The result? Many contestants also lose weight, demonstrating that dancing can be a fun and effective form of exercise that promotes fitness and weight loss.

Surprised? Who would’ve thought ballroom dancing could achieve similar results as high-intensity tire flipping and stair running?

The truth is, any combination of moving more and eating less can lead to weight loss. Depending on where you’re starting, even mild exercise—like walking—can significantly improve your fitness. A basic strength training routine can increase your strength, balance, core stability, and metabolism, all of which can help you lose weight.

There’s nothing wrong with high-intensity exercise, as long as:

1. You’re in good enough shape to handle it without getting injured, and
2. You actually enjoy it.

But if you don’t like that style of exercise, you probably won’t stick with it. Sadly, most contestants from The Biggest Loser regain their weight within a year or two. Why? Because they associate working out with the misery of those high-intensity workouts and, over time, can’t find the motivation to keep going. On the other hand, many Dancing with the Stars contestants who lost weight kept it off. They enjoy dancing and continue to do it, as well as other moderate activities that feel more like fun than torture.

The key is to choose a workout intensity that suits your needs and personality. This is a far better formula for long-term success than forcing yourself into something you dislike from the start.