You know, the best exercise is the one you’ll actually do. It cuts through all the noise and gets right to what really matters for long-term success. Forget the perfect plan; focus on the one you’ll stick with.
Share Image Quote:This quote is about the power of consistency over complexity. It means the ideal workout is worthless if you don’t do it, so the real winner is whatever activity you can maintain.
Look, I’ve seen this a thousand times. People get so hung up on finding the scientifically “optimal” routine—the perfect rep range, the ideal macro split. And you know what happens? They burn out. They get bored. They quit.
This idea flips that on its head. It’s not about the exercise itself; it’s about your relationship with the exercise. If you hate running but love dancing, for the love of god, just dance. The “best” exercise is a deeply personal thing. It’s the one that doesn’t feel like a chore, the one you might even look forward to. That’s the secret sauce for long-term results. It’s about building a habit, not just executing a perfect plan.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Category | Health (243) |
| Topics | consistency (66), exercise (3), fitness (16) |
| Literary Style | plain (102), witty (99) |
| Emotion / Mood | realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 70 (55) |
This gem comes from Marc Perry’s 2011 book, Built Lean, which was published in the United States. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this specific phrasing is Perry’s. He was a guy on the ground, training real people, and this quote absolutely reflects that practical, no-BS experience.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Marc Perry (57) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Built Lean: The Bodybuilding Guide for Men and Women Who Want to Lose Fat and Build Muscle (57) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1891) |
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Marc D. Perry studies how hip hop and performance shape Black identity, citizenship, and everyday life in the Caribbean and the Americas. An associate professor and author of Negro Soy Yo: Hip Hop and Raced Citizenship in Neoliberal Cuba, he engages anthropology and African American studies to analyze culture, politics, and belonging. The Marc Perry book list emphasizes ethnography and critical theory, and his teaching, writing, and public talks translate complex scholarship into accessible insights about race and culture.
| Quotation | The best exercise is the one you’ll actually do |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2019; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781097511885; Last edition: 2019; Number of pages: 240 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 3: Smart Nutrition, page 58 / 240 |
Within the book, this isn’t just a throwaway line. It’s a core philosophy. Perry was writing for everyday men and women who were overwhelmed by bodybuilding culture. He was cutting through the complexity and giving them permission to find a sustainable path, which is really what “Built Lean” is all about—a practical system, not a punishing one.
I use this all the time with clients. Here’s how it plays out:
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Advice (652) |
| Audiences | beginners (11), fitness enthusiasts (28), students (3112), trainers (231), wellness coaches (18) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | coaching materials (8), fitness onboarding (1), health blogs (19), motivational posts (47), training programs (31) |
Question: Does this mean any exercise is good enough? What about proper form?
Answer: Great question. No, it doesn’t mean technique doesn’t matter. It means that within the realm of safe and effective movements, the one you enjoy and will perform consistently is superior to the “optimal” one you’ll skip. Form is non-negotiable for safety, but enjoyment is non-negotiable for adherence.
Question: So I should just do what I feel like and not follow a program?
Answer: Not exactly. A program gives you structure, which is huge. The key is to find a program built around activities you don’t dread. The best program is the one you’ll actually follow through with, week after week.
Question: How do I find out what exercise I’ll “actually do”?
Answer: Experiment! Try different things. Pay attention to what you look forward to versus what you procrastinate on. It’s often the activity where you lose track of time. That’s your signal.
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