By David SmithWhatever your reasons for exercise might be, make sure you have one!
Working at a gym, not only as a personal trainer and fitness instructor or even simply as the dude at the front desk, you get to know all the different types of people who come into the gym. You get to know their personalities, attitude, goals and probably a few things you didn’t want to know about them.
The most common theme among participants of course is attitude and approach, particularly how much people discount themselves and their abilities. More often then not gym goers will brush off trying something new or adding a variation to their routine without even trying. Which is ironic because isn’t the whole reason one visits the gym is to challenge and better oneself?
While generally it is not specific to any particular group or crowd, when you narrow down the demographics the different types of training and reasons become very diverse. Ever hear someone tell themselves they can’t do something? It’s not just limited to the gym either but in every day life. When you discount the possibility of accomplishing something new, you’ve set yourself up for failure before you even try.
There are many things in the world that one might not have any intention on doing or trying or anything. That’s perfectly okay and everybody has that. If you look at the stages of change chart, you’ll see that everything we have (or not) going in our lives fit within that chart.
Think positive!
We all have that one overly positive friend that gets on our nerves sometimes. However that friend always approaches every challenge with an optimistic spirit and is already setting themselves up for success with a “can do” attitude.Compliment others!
Next time you see someone doing a complicated exercise that intrigues you, give them a compliment. It’ll open up a conversation that you can learn more about the exercise itself.Look up to others but don’t compare yourself to others!
Just because you can’t run as fast, lift as much or perhaps look as good as someone else doesn’t mean you can’t use them as your motivation to one day work up to them. However don’t discount your own accomplishments and progress, no matter how little. We all strive to be something more, every step, no matter how small is one step closer.Focus on your own goals.
We seek motivation from many different sources, including the people we look up to. However the only person that matters is yourself and what you are doing to be better. Stay focused on what the work you need to do and not how it compares to what someone else is doing. They don’t matter, all that matters is doing what you need to do to get better.Build your Plan of Action.
When you set yourself a goal, you need a plan to reach that goal. Take your starting point and your finishing point (the goal) and start to assemble the steps in between. You don’t have to figure out all the steps right now but focus on the next step and think about the step after that. Work toward accomplishing each step like it was your goal.Fake it till you make it.
Especially when you don’t necessarily have the confidence, courage or belief in yourself to take that first step. It’s okay to be scared; change is something we all fear. Be scared, then do it anyway.Remember, everybody has had to start from the beginning. Even the strongest person at the gym had to start somewhere. In the end your attitude is what determines your success. You have all the tools you need to succeed, even if you don't with a goal and a plan you will find a way to make it happen. Get started and don't look back, for in a year from now you'll be glad you started today.David Smith is the owner of Stonewall Fitness, holds a degree in exercise science from Metropolitan State University of Denver and holds several fitness certifications including ACSM Personal Trainer and Group Fitness.
