Fitness Love Not Hate!

Why is it that so many people feel they have to punish their bodies in order to get the results they want? Why is it acceptable and almost a goal of many to be "sore" after a workout? It is no wonder that many people hate exercising. For many, it doesn’t feel good. Shouldn’t something good for our bodies feel good? Even with all the information that we have available and the advancements in science, the fitness industry is still riddled with misinformation and marketing hype. We have been taught for years that “no pain, no gain” is the way to approach a workout. Everyone is constantly looking for a quick fix solution in order to get the body of their dreams. Guess what? There are no quick fixes and to get sustainable results you have to workout smart in a way that is sustainable for YOUR body.

I have now been in the fitness industry for over 20+ years, and thought by now the industry would have evolved further than it has. However, most fitness trainers get into this industry simply because they like working out. They assume just because they know how to perform certain exercises and what body part it affects that they are "qualified". I cannot tell you how many people become trainers overnight just because they like to exercise or “look the part”. It is not that simple. I wouldn’t go to a surgeon just because he or she likes to cut people open with a scalpel. I want to see the most skilled and knowledgeable surgeon available that understands the anatomy of the human body and can minimize any associated risks involved with a surgery. Shouldn’t it be the same for a trainer? Why is it acceptable for a trainer to get excited when their client tells them that they got sore from their workout? And I have to admit that I have done that very thing in the past, but now my thinking has evolved. What if you saw your dentist, and the next day your gums were sore and bleeding, Would you want him to say “great, welcome to the world of dentistry”? Or what if you visited your doctor and he prescribed you a medicine that gave you a bunch of adverse side effects because the dosage was too strong? Would you want him to simply say “just deal with it and it will go away”? Soreness is your body’s way of telling you that the workout was more than it could handle at that time. Pain is the way our body communicates that something is wrong. Taking a pain reliever or a pain-masking agent doesn’t change things. The same thing could be said with your car when the check engine light comes on. Do you ignore it and just think that the issue will go away? If you cover the light up with tape so you don’t have to see it, will it make the problem disappear? Never.

So my advice to anyone seeking to improve their fitness with a smarter approach is:

1. Understand your structure. Respect your limits and protect the integrity of the joints and tissues at all costs.

We only get one body, so treat it well and give it some love, so to speak. I am not saying you cannot challenge yourself, but change your mindset to understand that how you progress, what you can do, and what is good for you is different from everyone else and might change for you on a daily or weekly basis. One person may be super flexible and we all might admire their extreme ranges. Another person may not be so flexible, as their tissues and structure limit them from going there. One is not better than the other; they are just different. That is why a one sizes fits all approach does not work. An exercise should be designed around the individual, not the other way around. There are no “rules” of certain exercises. That is called choreography and generalizations. Maybe you should start looking at what range of motion is available to you, and one that is pain free. Choose a resistance that you can control, and understand where or when you lose that control. Stop counting the reps of an exercise and focus on the quality and control of the movement. Once you lose control, you are done. A wise mentor of mine once said "it doesn't matter how many reps you do if they all suck". So true!!

2. Stop looking for workouts that punish your body.

It is extremely easy and takes very little thought for a trainer to create a hard workout for someone. However, to create exercises that are appropriate for an individual based on their structure, needs, limitations and abilities is another story. A trainer should design exercises around the individual, look at their structure and determine what exercises are appropriate for that person and will not offend the integrity of their joints and tissues. Exercise professionals making claims of how many thousands of calories you are burning from their workout will do you little good if you are destroying the integrity of your structure. I would be very wary of a trainer always trying to "one up" other professionals, saying their workouts are far superior to anyone else's. Also, calculating the number of calories burned in a workout is a complex process in itself. It is not so simple as looking at your heart rate or coming up with generalized numbers. Aside from that, a successful workout is not determined calories burned. Know that if you continue to persist in beating up your body through grueling workouts in order to get short-term results, that you will never be able to maintain those results. Once you have "offended" your joints and compromised their integrity, you won’t be able to workout the same way ever again.

3. Vary your workouts and “rotate your tires”

Just like a car will develop wear patterns on its tires, you can develop wear patterns in your joints from doing the same exercise routine over and over again. For example, if you love spinning and do it 5-6 times a week all year long, expect to have some wear patterns developing in your joints from the repetitive motions. This can lead to the joints and surrounding tissues breaking down sooner and possible arthritis and associated pain. If you hurt after your workout or feel you are frequently coming up with injuries, pay attention.

4. If you need help, find a qualified exercise specialist.

What makes someone qualified? Well that is a complex answer. I have seen trainers with high-level certifications and kinesiology degrees, who still tend to memorize exercises and proceed to teach the “rules” of each exercise. There are many who have no certifications, and there are many who have weekend certifications. I think you have to see if the trainer has extensively studied anatomy & biomechanics, but also understands the application of forces to the joints. It is physics and engineering. Can they design exercises that minimize the risks while maximizing the benefits to your body? Do they also understand that fitness is a process that is constantly evolving vs. a protocol? It requires that person to have an in-depth thought process vs. memorization skills. This can be difficult to find, as I can count on one hand the number of trainers I have run across looking for a job locally that met those qualifications. I am also extremely picky, but I feel you have to be when it comes to your body.

Train smart. Treat your body well, as you only have one life to live and one body. You know that old adage is true that says, "slow and steady wins the race.” The pursuit of fitness is a life long journey and there is no end. Being able to stay on that journey is considered a success in my book.

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