Getting to the Gym is Half the Battle

Motivation plays a huge role in a successful exercise program. We all know the benefits of exercise-lowered body-fat, increased strength, injury prevention, cholesterol and blood pressure reduction, and osteoporosis prevention just to name a few. So, why is it so difficult to find the inspiration to exercise regularly?

The first step towards being motivated to exercise regularly is to find the right type of exercise for you. A healthy lifestyle is achieved by incorporating regular exercise into your schedule, so it is important to perform exercises that you enjoy. A routine that you dread to perform will usually be short-lived. Try a combination of different activities, you can workout at the gym on Mondays and Fridays, and go on an outdoor bike ride or to your local pool for a swim on Wednesdays and finish the week off with a few rounds of golf on the weekend. The key is to find a balance of activities that you enjoy.

It is also motivating to change your workouts on a regular basis. Try altering your routine every four to six weeks. This will not only prevent boredom, but you will find that you get improved results. This way, as you progress, your routine will evolve to meet your changing needs. Also remember that you can avoid burnout by performing a short and balanced workout. Use your time wisely and remember that a balanced exercise routine involving strengthening, stretching and cardiovascular work can be performed in only 45 minutes.

If you find that you have no time to exercise try exercising first thing in the morning. If you workout first thing there is no time to procrastinate. Morning workouts are also great because you avoid the crowds as clubs are less busy at this time. If you aren\’t a morning person, simply avoid the afternoon 4-6:30 p.m. workout rush.

If you are having a hard time starting an exercise program because you find all the modern fitness equipment intimidating and confusing, don\’t worry. Most fitness clubs offer an equipment orientation. Personal trainers can also help develop a fitness program specific to your needs.

When people start fitness programs they always tell me that they want to lose 20-30 pounds or they say \”I was 25 pounds lighter when I got married, I want to get back to that weight.\” It may be more motivating to concentrate on reducing your body-fat instead of your weight. The scale does not account for muscle gains or water retention, if you feel good, and your clothes are getting a little looser, and your body-fat is going down you are on the right track!

There you have it, four tips to make your exercise lifestyle a success! Pick exercises that you enjoy, exercise at times that do not interfere with your daily activities, change your workouts regularly and set realistic fitness goals.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800.

How to Improve Your Motivation

Many people want to improve their physical fitness, but are unable to motivate themselves enough to reach their goals. If you want to get in shape but never find the time or the energy, try exercising with a workout partner.
A workout partner can be anyone: your spouse, friend, or even someone that you meet at the gym. The key is to surround yourself with the right people. You could find someone who has already achieved the weight loss goal you are striving for or someone who is working toward the same goal. A spouse can be a great workout partner because if you adopt a fitness lifestyle together, it will be easier to maintain.

With a busy schedule, you can often miss seeing friends or spending time with a spouse; or maybe you use social appointments as an excuse to miss a workout. Although you want to make sure that while you are at the gym socializing doesn\’t detract from your workout, having a workout partner can be a great way of spending some quality time with someone.

One of the benefits of having workout partners is that they can provide a \”spot\”. As illustrated, a spotter can help you get the most out of a workout by ensuring that you perform your repetitions safely and with full effort. If you get stuck on an exercise in the middle of a set, your spotter can provide a little help so you can finish your set safely. At those times when you are not sure if you can do one or two extra reps on an exercise, a spotter can also provide motivation and push you a little harder than if you were on your own.

Having a workout partner can be like having a trainer or a coach to guide you. Your partner will soon get to know your good and bad habits and recognize when you are not pushing yourself to your normal limits. Of course, the relationship should be mutual. If your partner provides you with good motivation and support but you do not provide any in return then your relationship may not last long. Furthermore, it is important to be respectful of your workout partner. Be sure that you are always punctual for your workouts and if you can not make an appointment, give your partner 24 hours notice as you would any other professional.

Working out with a partner can be a great step in achieving that healthier lifestyle that you have been working toward. Once you see the benefits of having a good workout partner you can take it one step further. Outside the gym, you can be more aware of your social activities. If you have some friends that are healthy and active you may have more fun going on a hike and out for a healthy dinner instead of ordering pizza and going to a movie. Surrounding yourself with positive people who have similar goals as you both in and out of the gym is invaluable to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800.