If you’re just starting a fitness routine, it can be a little overwhelming. Everyone seems to have an opinion about where to start, what you can’t skip, what mistakes you must avoid.

But honestly, it’s a lot simpler than that, says Pamela DiGiovanna, a physical therapist at Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Services at Murrells Inlet.

“First, get clearance from your doctor,” she says. “Then it’s about preference. Just find something you enjoy and you’re going to stick with.”

If that sounds a little too broad, here are some specifics to consider when you’re trying to decide what’s the best fit for you.

Cardiovascular training like jogging is great for strengthening your heart and lungs. Strength training like lifting weights or doing sit-ups focuses on muscles, tendons and bone strength. And low-impact training like swimming or yoga gradually brings your heart rate up and is easier on your joints.

Generally speaking, you want to find a fitness routine that has a mix of all of these things so that each part of your body is benefitting.

“Be careful only sticking with one type of exercise,” says DiGiovanna. “You’ll want to mix it up or find exercises that offer a variety of benefits.”

Fortunately, many forms of exercise check multiple boxes. Yoga, for example, is a low-impact exercise and great for improving flexibility and strength. Swimming can be a form of both cardio and strength training.

Again, the best exercise is one that you’re going to do, DiGiovanna says. Consider other factors that are important to you as you exercise.

Some people get motivation from being in a group, so signing up for a fitness class such as those offered by the YMCA of Coastal Carolina may be the way to go. Tidelands Health is the exclusive health system partner of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, including Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA in Myrtle Beach, Tidelands Health Pawleys Family YMCA and Tidelands Health Georgetown Family YMCA.

Other people want to exercise at home, so finding workout videos on YouTube or getting on the Peloton may be their best bet. Others want to be outside, so walking or swimming is likely best for them.

“You have to cater to your preferences,” DiGiovanna says, not try to force yourself to do something just because you think you should be doing it.

Always check with your physician about your health and whether different forms of exercise are right for you. If you’ve had an injury recently or aren’t used to moving so much, your physician can help you determine the best way to ease into it.

But overall, exercise has been proven to lower your risk for disease, reduce stress and improve your sleep — so get moving!