Fitness Sanity, NOT Insanity!

When did the requirements for entry into the fitness industry become some sort of Navy Seal training? Look, if I wanted to be a Navy Seal then I would have joined the Navy. But that is not my goal, nor is it the goal of 99% of my clients! Their goals are losing a few pounds, standing and walking gracefully, and living a pain-free life with a full range of motion. Their goals are NOT to obtain the ability to bend steel over their quads or to do a burpee backflip. So, what is going on??

In the 80’s when Jane Fonda came bursting onto the home fitness scene with a few grapevine moves and some spandex, the home workout was TOTALLY doable. But today,  if you aren’t a fitness junkie already then there is no “beginner” workout. A few years ago I reviewed the P90X series and I just had to laugh. A great workout? Yes. Motivating? Yes. For beginners? No.  The “we will ease you into it from day 1” sales pitch was ridiculous. I don’t know 1 out of shape, middle-aged, office workaholic that would be able to do the “beginner” workout.

Come on, where is Richard Simmons? Let’s jam to the oldies, people! That was FUN. Can you imagine? Fitness can be FUN!

I recently took a Zumba class, where it was 30% dance moves/Zumba and 70% military boot camp. Here’s what I observed in the class:

1. The average age of the participants were 60
2. They all looked PISSED
3. The 20 something blond teacher didn’t take her eyes off herself in the mirror long enough to notice
4. And if I wanted boot camp then I would have taken the boot camp class!

Look, I am not saying that pushing hard during your workout isn’t important, it is! BUT- when you can’t even do the warm-up because you are already out of shape and the warm-up is gymnastics drills, its time to re-evaluate.

Obesity is on the rise and the snobbery of the fitness industry is too. The “If I can do it, you can do it” mentality is a crock! If you start a 1st grader in Algebra without ever teaching them their addition and subtraction you are setting them up for failure! Do you want a great and FREE workout? One where you can push yourself to your OWN level? Put on your walking shoes, grab your iPod, and head out the door. Walk for 10 minutes, then turn around and walk back for 10 minutes. Next week move it up to 15 minutes there and back. That is completely realistic! Move at your own pace and increase your time at a reasonable level. The first step out the door is the most important one!

Have questions about your health and fitness? Comment below!