Why Fitness isn’t for Everyone
- More effective planning
- Playing to your strengths
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Over the years in my fitness coaching, I’ve seen lots of people’s journeys. Many I would like to think we’re successful (I’m not vain enough to boast about that as fitness is long term not just the immediate results of training).
Inevitably, there are always some people who (for whatever reason) just don’t gel with it. There is no point getting frustrated about it because fitness and / or gyms are not for everyone.
In fact, gym based training is an image that I try to move away from – the RYPT app allows me the flexibility to create an exercise plan for anywhere it’s needed.
I respect anyone who tries the gym out (even if it’s not for them) as it can be daunting. The biggest fear is often being the most unfit person there; which is inevitably not true!
Personally, I sit on the fence, I love a gym session but running / cycling outside is as important to me!
When I tell people that I’m a fitness coach or personal trainer it immediately sparks an image that I’m somewhat egotistical but I detest that perception.
Working out in commercial gyms these days, I’ll often clock into what some PT’s are saying (none that I know or have worked with, I’ll add!). It never ceases to amaze me how the prescription seems to be obvious yet impractical. It’s normally something like “eat X, do Y and avoid Z” with little consideration for real life situations
If I told my clients to do that I could assure you that adherence would be minimal. I learned this the hard way by trying to give out diet / training plans which didn’t work.
Obviously there is a need to convey knowledge and guidance but there’s a right and wrong way to go about that.
Further to this, more questions generally leads to greater indecision and less action. So there is a fine line.
Simple is generally better! Eat healthy, exercise and enjoy it – that’s the best way.
As much as some clients have specifically asked to be given a plan of what to eat, I work the other way round. Being told what to do leads to problems when you fall off the wagon.
Tweaks along the way plus education ensure that changes are made. If you don’t understand WHY then making changes is pointless. Reasons ensure that we are driven to commit to it.
Sure, you could make wholesale changes and turn things on their head to make quick changes but soon normality returns (as much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise). The body finds it’s state of homeostasis (middle ground).
Change doesn’t need to be torturous and the perception that gym’s are for slavery is a primary reason why it’s a certain type of person who will avoid it.
Even for myself, it took coaxing and small steps (in a quiet gym, late in the evening) before I built up the confidence to try more. That was through following exercise routines on the machines themselves before educating myself up to the level of a registered personal trainer!
So the message is twofold: don’t judge the gym on what you hear and don’t do what you dislike.
Next month on RYPT Facebook page: daily fitness challenge! A short fitness test that can be done at home to challenge you – every day.
Ross
