By taroWhy Most Fail at Buying Fitness
Fitness is a precious commodity.
Our choices will directly impact our physical and emotional well being. An effective fitness program can increase confidence, improve strength, boost bone density, increase resiliency, manage blood sugar, lower blood pressure, increase endurance, increase flexibility, decrease physiological age, decrease incidence of disease etc., etc.
Do not take your exercise lightly.
Why do people make poor fitness consumers?
1. Image is too often our primary concern.
We are easily swayed by what is new, flashy and edgy. In fitness, like many other endeavours, the fundamentals remain the most effective. Unglamorous to some, iron implements and bodyweight still occupy the short list of meaningful exercises. It is gravely important the average individual chooses the most effective means possible to get fit. The average individual is very inconsistent with their fitness commitment – they cannot afford to waste additional time with lousy fitness programs.
2. People never apply logic to their first impressions.
Look beneath the surface! Olympians train four to six hours a day with professional coaches and steroids to get in shape. Always question advertisements which promote a few minutes of effort (often using a product which requires batteries) and a three page manual.
3. We seek what appears easy.
Know why fitness is so effective? It causes strain and fatigue. The positive adaptations catylized by exercise are the result of the body’s attempt to cope with mechanical stress and physiological depletion. Everything gets stronger and more efficient. Avoid exercise machines and programs which promise fatigue-free workouts. Confidence comes from challenge – not accomodating your comfort zone.
4.Pervasive myths.
Even with the proliferation of good information, fitness continues to be rife with erroneus assumptions. Here is the short list of negative associations with strength training and some quick rebuttals:
a. Muscle is unattractive on women.
The insecurity bred from trying to squeeze into conventional beauty standards is unattractive. Empowered women are breathtaking!
b.Muscle will make you slow.
Good thing Usain Bolt’s legs are pure skin and fat!
c. Muscle will make you immobile.
Male gymnasts (whose builds are unattainable for 99% of us) are stark contradictions to this myth.
d.You don’t need strength to succeed at sports.
First, why then do internationally ranked competitors use steroids? Second, strength is simply the expression of energy over a time continuum. If an athlete is using energy – they are using strength.
The Smart Fitness Consumer Checklist:
1. Does the product/program have an element which loads the entire body?
– Your only as strong as your weakest link.
2. Does the math add up?
10 mins of exercise and any boost in metabolic rate isn’t going to compensate for your daily surplus of 2,000 calories.
3. Show me the physics!
When sizing up a product or program keep this fact in mind – simply running or jumping exposes your body to impact forces that are up to six times bodyweight! Beware complicated or high skill exercises which reduce your ability to express force. Insufficient force results in deconditioning! Fancy pants, attention grabbing exercises are often guilty of violating Newton’s laws.
4. Is it specific?
It’s time athletes figure out that exercises often do not transfer to improvement in their respective sport. In fact, drills and exercises can have a negative impact on their skills. Negative transfer should especially concern participants of sports featuring fine motor skills (such as golf). Exercises that most resemble sporting tasks are often the worst offenders. Simple rule of thumb for strength coaches and trainers – give your athletes the relevant muscles and energy systems and let the sport-coach figure out how they should be used!
5. Is it planned?
Effective and efficient fitness programs are not impulsive creations. Expect workouts to be written down ahead of time and results documented. Exercises, sets, reps, rest intervals, loads and tempos require extensive management.
6. Does it vary?
A fitness program will not be sustainable unless it varies over the long-term. Changes in exercise selection, intensity and dedication are essential to maximize results, prevent injuries and avoid burnout. Again, changes should be planned.