Starting a fitness regimen can be an exciting and empowering experience. However, it is not without its challenges. Here are a few major hurdles to fitness success and some solutions!
Challenge #1: Lack of Motivation
One of the biggest challenges associated with starting a fitness regimen is a lack of motivation. It can be challenging to find the energy and drive to stick to a workout routine, especially if you have never exercised regularly before.
Tip: Establish a strong “why”. People seek out our personal training services for a variety of reasons. Many are looking to gain an edge over the competition in their particular sport, while others may be looking to shed a few inches before a wedding. While deadlines can be a great catalyst for fitness success in the short term, we’ve found that looking inward for your “why” helps cement a larger commitment to building healthy habits. Words like “longevity” and “quality of life” are indicators that an individual is looking inward for their fitness motivation and more likely to stay committed to their fitness goals long term.
**BONUS Tip**: In our training programs we strive to make the connection between dietary habits, energy levels and performance. We can’t expect to draw water from an empty well!
Challenge #2: Lack of Time
Another common challenge associated with starting a fitness regimen is a lack of time. Many people lead busy lives, with work, family, and other responsibilities taking up most of their time. Finding the time to fit in a workout can be a challenge and make it tempting to skip workouts altogether.
Tip: Get organized and make some sacrifices. Oftentimes, when we take an in-depth look at our lifestyle, we find opportunities to be more efficient with our time. Break out the daily planner and list all of the day’s tasks in order of priority. This exercise is useful in that one learns quickly that there are only so many hours in a day. How much of your lifestyle is conducive to success in your training regimen? What can you sacrifice to better align your daily actions with your fitness goals? These are questions only you can answer!
Challenge #3: Fear of Injury
Starting a new fitness regimen can be especially intimidating if you are worried about hurting yourself. Afterall, you’re in the gym to get stronger, not weaker! As you might know by now, varying your training plan is necessary for continued progress but oftentimes doing it safely is a real challenge.
Tip: Start at the beginning. One of the more common causes of gym injury stems from trying out new techniques before you’re ready. This is where the help of a personal trainer benefits you tremendously by helping you learn proper form and technique to reduce the risk of injury. Staring with the basics and slowly progressing to more advanced and challenging feats is the way to go!
Challenge #4: Lack of Knowledge
Closely related to the fear of injuring oneself, another common challenge associated with starting a fitness regimen is a lack of knowledge. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, what exercises to do, and how to structure your workouts. Sometimes all we need is someone to connect the dots for us.
Tip: Next time you’re on amazon pick up a book on the basics of kinesiology and fitness. It will never hurt to stay abreast of the latest in exercise science and programming principles. If you are overwhelmed by what you find in your reading, you can also work with a personal trainer or coach who can provide guidance and support as you start your fitness journey.
At Logic Fitness Club we use our free Goal Assessment to help fill educational gaps, correct misconceptions about fitness and show you what works. You can schedule yours at www.logicfitnessclub.com/goal-assessment/
Starting a fitness regimen can be a rewarding experience, but it is not without its challenges. However, with the right mindset, tools, and support, these challenges can be overcome, and you can achieve your fitness goals.