Through the years that I have been studying, training myself, working in gyms, and teaching others, I have noticed that more and more people tend to think that the only way to train is to train hard. To get our butts kicked or to kick our own butts. We watch shows like the biggest loser and see what people go through to drop weight and get healthy. In many ways, it’s inspiring and emotional to watch. In other ways, it’s completely unrealistic and discouraging.
I’m sure we all know the phrase “No Pain, No Gain.” Yes, this holds true to certain elements of fitness. Breaking down muscle and reaching muscle failure doesn’t exactly feel like a day at the park (Although some of us love it!). However, many people are taking this phrase to another level. As I have written in previous blogs, pain from previous injuries, joint pain, back pain, knee pain ect. Is NEVER something to ignore. There is ALWAYS a way to modify the exercise to avoid a risk of injury. If you choose to ignore your body screaming at you to stop, there will be a price to pay.
For the people who think that work outs should be painful all the time; I have to ask why? What is your ultimate goal? Are you training for the Olympics, professional sports, or because you want to be on TV? I also have to ask, why can’t workouts be fun or incorporate some element of play? Ideally, we should have variety in our fitness programs anyways. We should train our bodies to move in different ways and to learn different skills. Aside from all that, most of us continue doing the things that we enjoy doing. So if we know physical activity is a crucial part in maintaining an overall healthy well being, why don’t we choose the activities that we like to do? By all means I am not knocking intense, goal driven, hard workouts, but I am saying that it has to be balanced with proper warm ups, cool downs, flexibility training, and other detail work. Not to mention having quality fuel intake to support the demanding workouts.
If are unsure of what kind of fitness is for you and you nervous to start, hire a trainer. It’s a simple solution. This is what we love to do! We want people to live healthier lives and to enjoy fitness! We want people to live pain free and reach their goals! In the meantime, remember this: The Crossfit, Ninja Warrior, and Biggest Loser scenario is good for some people but not what you should be comparing your fitness to and necessarily striving towards. Choose your physical activity on what will work best with your lifestyle and fitness level. Fitness shouldn’t drain you and feel impossible to stick with. It should give you energy, lift your spirits, and certainly help you to appreciate your body and your worth. Find the activities that spark life within you!
“Bloom Where You're Planted”. ― Mary Engelbreit
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